Nancy founded the American Trail Running Association (ATRA) in 1996 and is also chairperson for the USA Track & Field's Mountain, Ultra & Trail Running Council. She is also treasurer of the World Mountain Running Association.
The digital exclusive Trail Running Collection features the latest in off-road running, gear, and advice. PodiumRunner and Women’s Running announce a new Trail Running Collection of online features, how-to, and in-depth gear reviews on their new websites. The content, available across both Women’s Running and PodiumRunner, collects the latest trail running content into one easy-to-access digital… Read more »
The Athlete’s Gut: The Inside Science of Digestion, Nutrition, and Stomach Distress, by Patrick Wilson, PHD, RD. VeloPress, 2020. Reviewed by trail runner Laura Clark. Laura is an avid mountain, trail and snowshoe runner who lives in Saratoga Springs, NY, where she is a children’s librarian. What is more important to an athlete on race… Read more »
Guest opinion written by Bruce Rayner, Founder and Chief Green Officer for Athletes for a Fit Planet, an American Trail Running Association (ATRA) corporate member and partner in our Event Standards Program. Athletes for a Fit Planet was founded in January 2008 to help running, cycling, and triathlon events become more environmentally responsible. It was… Read more »
Written by Shannon Payne for the summer 2020 issue of our Trail Times newsletter. Shannon is a Colorado native currently residing in Auburn, California. She was a two-time qualifier for the US Mountain Running Team, two-time winner of the Mt. Washington Road Race, and a seven-time All-American at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs…. Read more »
This article was written by American Trail Running Association member Vicki Hunter, a certified Foundation Training Instructor and Certified Level II Lydiard Running Coach. Vicki qualified for the 1988 Olympic Marathon Trials in a time of 2:49:24 and still competes in races ranging from 5k to 50 miles. One day when I was in my… Read more »
We’re proud to announce that medical intensive care unit nurse Dani Mead from Aurora, Colorado, is the winner of our coaching essay contest. Dani is a self-described beginner trail running enthusiast who also enjoys skiing, traveling and rock climbing. She also admits to being a bit of a goof ball but is ready to take… Read more »
The American Trail Running Association (ATRA) stands united with all people, including our members and community, who are affected by hateful, racist and violent acts in our country. We denounce the violence against Black men and women and we oppose all forms of bigotry, racism and violence. ATRA has been committed to adding diversity in… Read more »
Announcement from American Trail Running Association (ATRA) corporate member Salomon Running. The Golden Trail World Series (GTWS), now in its third year of existence, announced tentative plans for an altered 2020 race format. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, sports competitions and leagues around the world have been forced to adapt and that has also… Read more »
Written by ATRA executive director Nancy Hobbs. Nancy founded the American Trail Running Association (ATRA) in 1996 and is chairperson of USA Track & Field’s (USATF) Mountain, Ultra & Trail Running Council. She is also treasurer of the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA). Sidelined by injuries — or not — rest and recovery is important…. Read more »
Both Feet on the Ground: Reflections from the Outside, by Marshall Ulrich. DNA Books, 2019. Reviewed by trail runner Laura Clark. Laura is an avid mountain, trail and snowshoe runner who lives in Saratoga Springs, NY, where she is a children’s librarian. Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less… Read more »
Each spring, the American Trail Running Association conducts a survey to measure trail running trends from our national audience. This year we had over 2700 respondents. Complete survey results are made available to corporate members at the Switchback, Steep & Rocky and All-terrain levels. The following selected outtakes are from our most recent trail running… Read more »
Mudroom Backpacks Quartable 18L reviewed by American Trail Running Association (ATRA) advisory board member and Wisconsin trail runner Susan Kendrick. Susan is the Director of Sponsorship for the American Birkebeiner® Ski Foundation and was featured in our View from the Pack series of articles. This product was provided at no charge by Mudroom Backpacks for… Read more »
KT Tape Pro reviewed by American Trail Running Association (ATRA) advisory board member and Wisconsin trail runner Susan Kendrick. Susan is the Director of Sponsorship for the American Birkebeiner® Ski Foundation and was featured in our View from the Pack series of articles. This product was provided at no charge by KT Tape for this… Read more »
Welcome to the tenth in our series of articles showcasing specialty run and outdoor retail stores where we focus on their commitment to trail running through in-store programs, brand inclusion, events and more. Spotlight on Specialty is presented by Saucony. As of this writing, the Colorado Running Company has been closed since March 19 but… Read more »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Joe’s Rules: The Art of Trail Race Directing, by Joe Prusaitis & Chris Haley. Published by the author, 2020. Reviewed for the American Trail Running Association by trail runner Laura Clark. Laura is an avid mountain, trail and snowshoe runner who lives in Saratoga Springs, NY, where she is a children’s librarian. Tejas Trails is… Read more »
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 »