Posts By: Nancy Hobbs

Meet ATRA Trail Ambassador – Jim Engel

Please welcome the twenty fifth American Trail Running Association (ATRA) Trail Ambassador presented by CamelBak, and the first in 2019. A lifelong Michigan resident Jim Engel, age 64, inspires others through coaching and volunteerism and shares words of wisdom for athletes new to trail running. In 2011, Engel was inducted as the 34th member of… Read more »

From the ATRA Archives: Kevin Setnes on the benefits of hill training

In this edition of From the ATRA Archives presented by Salomon, 12-time USATF Masters Ultrarunning Champion Kevin Setnes shared his tips for running uphill and the associated benefits of hill training. Kevin’s hill training article first appeared in our Trail Times newsletter issue 25 published in fall 2002. Hill Running Hills may be viewed as your… Read more »

A Trail Runner’s Book Review: The Happy Runner

The Happy Runner, by David and Megan Roche, MD. Human Kinetics, 2019. Reviewed 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. David & Megan pictured above at the 2017 Trail World Championships. Every runner has the same finish line:… Read more »

Snowshoe Race Report: Hoot Toot & Whistle

Race report from Laura Clark at the Hoot Toot & Whistle 5K snowshoe race which took place on January 19, 2019. Laura is an avid mountain, trail and snowshoe runner who lives in Saratoga Springs, NY, where she is a children’s librarian. Are you interested in snowshoe racing? Check out our snowshoe calendar of events… Read more »

Our View from the Pack series presented by RaidLight shines a spotlight on Flo Zurkinden

In this series of articles, the American Trail Running Association recognizes and celebrates trail runners like Flo Zurkinden who have dedicated themselves as everyday athletes to grow trail running in their community. “View from the Pack” is supported by ATRA corporate member RaidLight. Nominator Adam Isovitsch writes, “Flo Zurkinden constantly strives to help others through… Read more »

Snowshoe Race Report: The Churney Gurney & First 2019 Doubleheader

The following snowshoe race report from the 2019 Churney Gurney 5k Snowshoe Race in Queensbury, New York and 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. Photos by Brian Teague. It takes approximately 10,000,000 snowflakes to make… Read more »

From the ATRA Archives: Ben Nephew’s 7 Sisters Race Report

In this edition of From the ATRA Archives presented by Salomon, Ben Nephew, then 25 years old, shares his experience from the 2001 edition of the 7 Sisters Trail Race in Amherst, MA. Ben’s article was first published in our Trail Times newsletter issue 25 (2001). Race results from the 2001 7 Sisters Trail Race can be found… Read more »

ATRA goes retro to celebrate 22 years of trail running

At the American Trail Running Association (ATRA) we’re going back to the past to dust-off and republish more than two decades of trail running articles in a new series presented by Salomon entitled From the ATRA Archives. (Photo above: US women’s team at the 1996 World Mountain Running Trophy race in Telfus, Austria. Danelle Ballengee,… Read more »

Trail Runner’s Book Review: Late Air by Jaclyn Gilbert

The novel Late Air was written by Jaclyn Gilbert, Little a, 2018. Reviewed by trail runner Laura Clark and first appeared in winter 2018 issue 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. As runners, we are… Read more »

American Trail Running Association to promote “Trail Running Responsibly” in 2019

Here at the American Trail Running Association (ATRA), we’re proud to announce “Trail Running Responsibly” as our theme for 2019. This important topic follows our recent annual themes including last year’s Trail Stewardship: Leaving a Lasting Legacy, and the 2017 theme, Community: Building Trail Running Connections. Starting in January, we’ll be publishing a series of… Read more »

Ashley Brasovan on Building Confidence for Trail Racing

This article was written by Ashley Brasovan, 2007 Foot Locker Cross Country Champion, Duke University graduate, and most recently a “MUT” convert with two USATF Championship titles to her credit – 2017 Trail Half Marathon and 2018 30K Trail Championship – and a USATF team appearance at the 2018 World Long Distance Mountain Running Championships…. Read more »

From the ATRA Archives: Ian Torrence Runs Old Dominion

This article first appeared in our Trail Times newsletter Issue #12 from 1999. We’re tapping into our archives to bring back trail running articles from past issues of Trail Times. As we head into 2019, enjoy this first installment of “From the ATRA Archives presented by Salomon” by Ian Torrence, which he originally submitted for… Read more »

Book Review: The Pursuit of Endurance: Harnessing the Record-Breaking Power of Strength and Resilience

The Pursuit of Endurance: Harnessing the Record-Breaking Power of Strength and Resilience, by Jennifer Pharr Davis. Viking, 2018. Book review written by trail runner Laura Clark for the Fall 2018 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… Read more »

Meet ATRA Trail Ambassador – Peter Downing

Please welcome the twenty fourth American Trail Running Association (ATRA) Trail Ambassador presented by CamelBak, and the twelfth and final in 2018. Runner, race director, volunteer, and trail advocate all describe Peter Downing who, at age 64, has been in the outdoor industry for nearly four decades. Nominator Ellen Miller wrote, “I have known Peter… Read more »

Survey reveals trail runner preferences from the 2018 Moab Trail Marathon

Several times a year the American Trail Running Association (ATRA) conducts surveys to measure trends within our sport, collect demographic profiles of its participants and analyze their preferences. Following the Moab Trail Marathon held in Moab, Utah this past November, we conducted a survey of race participants in the marathon, half marathon, and 5k. A summary of… Read more »

Meet ATRA Trail Ambassador – Scott Magee

Please welcome the twenty third American Trail Running Association (ATRA) Trail Ambassador presented by CamelBak, and the eleventh in 2018. Scott Magee, age 43, is a trail runner, trail race director, trail steward and volunteer. Scott’s Twisted Branch Ultra is an American Trail Running Association member event. Wrote nominator Laura Howard, “Scott’s love of trail… Read more »

ATRA’s View from the Pack series presented by RaidLight shines a spotlight on Vincent Aceto

In this series of articles, the American Trail Running Association recognizes and celebrates trail runners like Vincent Aceto who have dedicated themselves as everyday athletes to grow trail running in their community. “View from the Pack” is supported by ATRA corporate member RaidLight. Vincent Aceto is a past member of Maine Track Club and this… Read more »