Posts By: Nancy Hobbs

GU Energy Labs Joins Our Event Standards Program

The American Trail Running Association (ATRA) welcomes GU Energy Labs as a brand partner in our Event Standards Program. The ATRA Event Standards Program debuted in 2012 and includes vendors and suppliers as partners to assist trail race directors in meeting our 15 criteria necessary for staging a safe and well-organized event. As part of… Read more »

Trail Runner’s Book Review: Spirit Run

Spirit Run: A 6,000-Mile Marathon Through North America’s Stolen Land, by Noe Alvarez. Catapult, 2020. Reviewed by trail runner Laura Clark exclusively for the American Trail Running Association. Laura is an avid mountain, trail and snowshoe runner who lives in Saratoga Springs, NY, where she is a children’s librarian. Those for whom a few days… Read more »

Long-time Friend of ATRA Leslie Jordan Adds Personal Protective Equipment to Product Line

The American Trail Running Association has a long relationship with Leslie Jordan (pictured above), both professionally and personally with our founder Nancy Hobbs. “I met Leslie in the 80s, shortly after the 1986 launch of her business, and we have been friends ever since,” said ATRA executive director Nancy Hobbs. “I remember meeting Leslie and… Read more »

Featured Trail Town – Knoxville, Tennessee

Welcome to another installment of our “Trail Town” series spotlighting the third largest city in Tennessee – Knoxville: population 189,797. Located in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, Knoxville is situated in the Tennessee Valley, about halfway between the Great Smoky Mountains to the east and the Cumberland Plateau to the west. [Editors Note] At… Read more »

Why Race Directors Need Event Liability Insurance for Virtual Trail Races

Nicholas Hill Group, Inc., provides event liability insurance for American Trail Running Association (ATRA) event members through our Trail Running Insurance Program (T.R.I.P.). The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the cancellation of most trail races leading to a sharp increase in virtual trail races. Our executive director Nancy Hobbs (pictured below) recently had a conversation… Read more »

Trail Runner Product Review: Swiftwick Vibe and Flight XT Socks

Swiftwick socks reviewed by Colorado Springs’ trail runner Dreama Walton who was a member of ATRA’s 2017 Pikes Peak Trekker team and put these socks to the test during her runs and in-home strength training routines. Swiftwick is an American Trail Running Association corporate member and provided these socks for review. VIBE I first tried… Read more »

ATRA Member Leslie Jordan, Inc., Unveils Face Masks and RACE WRAPS

Press release from American Trail Running Association (ATRA) corporate member Leslie Jordan, Inc.. Leslie Jordan, Inc., ever the leader in high-quality performance and lifestyle gear for endurance events, has another trick up their sleeve! The company’s RACE WRAPS are more than just face shields and headbands – they can be easily transformed into face masks… Read more »

Guest Editorial: Why We Don’t Need Virtual Trail Running Events….Right Now

This guest editorial was written by Pacific Coast Trail Runs Race Director Greg Lanctot. The views expressed are Lanctot’s and don’t necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the American Trail Running Association. Lanctot resides in California and is President Emeritus of Quicksilver Running Club, a retired NASM-PES-CES-CPT Trainer, retired Youth & Special Needs Fitness… Read more »

Harrison Walter’s Race Redemption

Written by Harrison Walter, whose article, “What Running Means to Me,” was published last year. Harrison runs on the varsity high school track and cross-country teams at Custer County High School in Westcliffe, Colorado and regularly competes in trail races. He turns 16 in April and was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum when… Read more »

Trail Runner’s Book Review: Heart Rate Training

Heart Rate Training: Customize Your Training Based on Individual Training and Goals, 2nd edition, by Roy Benson and Declan Connolly. Human Kinetics, 2020. Reviewed by trail runner Laura Clark for the spring 2020 edition of our Trail Times newsletter. Laura is an avid mountain, trail and snowshoe runner who lives in Saratoga Springs, NY, where… Read more »

Trail Running in the Sun: Protection with Sunscreen is Paramount

Written by Lisa Heggie for the spring 2020 edition of our Trail Times newsletter. Lisa is co-owner of  KINeSYS, an American Trail Running Association corporate member. For those of us who hear the call of trails, there is complete certainty in what moves our soul. We love the outdoors, we are drawn to the mountains,… Read more »

Trail Runner’s Book Review: Race Across America

Race Across America: Eddie Gardner and the Great Bunion Derbies, by Charles B. Kastner. Syracuse University Press, 2020. Reviewed by trail runner Laura Clark for the spring 2020 edition of our Trail Times newsletter. Laura is an avid mountain, trail and snowshoe runner who lives in Saratoga Springs, NY, where she is a children’s librarian…. Read more »

Three Easy Snacks for Trail Runners

Written by Stephen R. Santangelo for the Spring 2020 edition of our Trail Times newsletter. Stephen has been in the fitness industry since 1979 and created his own specialty exercises & programs based upon the anthropological movement of the human body. Many of us live an active life on the trails and we’re often on… Read more »

A Trail Runner’s Tips for Working from Home

Due to the COVID-19, many of you may be working from home for the first time in your career. Having worked out of my home on and off for the past 30 years, I have a few tips to share. Movement Although you may be tempted to sit at your desk for hours on end… Read more »

COVID-19 Impacts Trail Races: Now What?

Trail races nationwide are being canceled, or postponed due to COVID-19, which in turn raises the level of angst for trail runners. Not only are you dealing with the negativity and adverse impact on your daily life from the constant barrage of media attention to the corona virus, something you love to do…run and compete…seems… Read more »

The Importance of Recovery for Trail Runners

Written by Andrew Simmons for the Spring 2020 edition of our Trail Times newsletter. Andrew is the Head Coach for Lifelong Endurance. As a professional coach to both youth and adult trail runners, I find more often than not I have to teach athletes how to restrain themselves more than I have to push them…. Read more »

Spotlight on Specialty presented by Saucony Features The Runner’s Flat

Welcome to the ninth in our series of articles showcasing specialty run and outdoor retail stores focusing on their commitment to trail running through their in-store programs, brand inclusion, events and more. Spotlight on Specialty is presented by Saucony. Home to The Runner’s Flat specialty run store, Cedar Valley is one of the coolest outdoor… Read more »

A Tale of Two New York State Snowshoe Races

The following snowshoe race report was written by Laura Clark. Laura is an avid mountain, trail and snowshoe runner who lives in Saratoga Springs, NY, where she is a children’s librarian. Once more, the Saratoga Winterfest Snowshoe Race in New York’s Saratoga Spa State Park seemingly justified Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction of an early spring, leaving… Read more »

Featured Trail Town – Leadville, Colorado

Welcome to another installment of our “Trail Town” series of articles. At 10,152 feet, Leadville, Colorado claims the distinction as the highest incorporated city in the United States. Known for its natural scenic beauty, hardy locals and rugged four-season alpine recreation, Leadville also boasts a storied history. History: Leadville was not always named after lead,… Read more »