Posts By: Nancy Hobbs

Trail Runner’s Survey – Community, Footwear and Gear

The American Trail Running Association periodically conducts surveys to measure trail running trends from our national audience. This month we conducted a survey asking our members about their footwear preferences, building community, and gear purchases. This survey had over 1200 respondents. Complete survey results are made available to corporate members at the Switchback, Steep &… Read more »

Twenty Three Ways to Celebrate the Trails in 2023

When looking forward to the New Year, resolutions often accompany – and sometimes overwhelm – our thoughts. What can we do better or different? How many bucket list items shall we check off starting January 1? Is this the year to reconnect with friends and family we haven’t seen, or spoken to in ages? Do… Read more »

Foot and Ankle Health for Trail Runners

Written by Sean Rimmer PT, DPT, OCS for the Winter 2023 edition of our Trail Times newsletter. Sean is an avid trail runner and physical therapist living in Colorado Springs, CO, where he is the owner at Run Potential which focuses on rehab and performance training for runners. Have you ever dealt with a nagging… Read more »

2023 International U18 Mountain Running Cup – Team USA Selection

In 2023, the 16th edition of the World Mountain Running Association’s (WMRA) International U18 Mountain Running Cup will be held in Annecy, France, May 26-27. This invitation-only event provides a unique opportunity for youth mountain runners from around the world to test themselves against the world’s best. Much more rugged than the typical U.S. high… Read more »

Essential Oils for Autumn Trail Running

Written by Jenni Hulburt, owner of Forest & Flowers Retreat in Pennsylvania, shares her list of go-to oils and plans for autumn. Also check out Jenni’s previous article on essential oils that benefit trail runners. Nature guides us to transition inward during autumn. Do you notice the way plants slow their pace of growth, or… Read more »

Foods to Power Up Autumn and Winter Trail Running

Performance

Written by Stephen R. Santangelo for the Fall 2022 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. Autumn color is a reminder we need to load up on a variety of… Read more »

ATRA Member Run Catalina Announces Official Coaches

Lightfoot Coaching training programs added to Run Catalina events for its trail athletes. Announcement first appeared in the Fall 2022 edition of our Trail Times newsletter. “Proper trail training is crucial for runners competing on any of our Run Catalina courses, which are filled with challenging peaks, elevation changes, and rewarding views of Catalina Island…. Read more »

Top 5 Takeaways From A U.S. Mountain Running Team Coach

This article was written by Andrew Simmons and first appeared in the Fall 2022 edition of our Trail Times newsletter. It was an honor and privilege to be a coach for the U.S. U18 Mountain Running Team this past June in Saluzzo, Italy, for the WMRA U18 International Mountain Running Youth Cup. This was an… Read more »

Trail Runner’s Book Review – Colorado Alpine Trail Runs

Colorado Alpine Trail Runs, by Annalise Grueter. Colorado Mountain Club Press, 2022. 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. The operational consideration for this guidebook is the phrase, “trail runs.” The 45 scenic adventures described,… Read more »

Birkie Trail Run to host USATF Half Marathon Trail Championships

The USATF Half Marathon Trail Running Championships will be held in Cable, WI, on Saturday, September 24, at the Birkie Trail Running Festival. Birkie also hosted this national championship in 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2021. This year’s course will start and finish at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead located on McNaught Road in Cable, WI. The… Read more »

Joseph Gray and Grayson Murphy Win Italy’s Challenge Stellina

Double Gold for 2019 World Mountain Running Champions Joseph Gray and Grayson Murphy at Challenge Stellina: U.S. men and women’s teams earn bronze. At the 34th running of Challenge Stellina in Susa, Italy, on August 28, 2022, Americans Joseph Gray (Colorado Springs, CO) and Grayson Murphy (Bozeman, MT) notched gold medal performances. Both USA’s men’s… Read more »

Book Review – Oregon Running Legend Steve Prefontaine

Oregon Running Legend Steve Prefontaine, by Paul C. Clerici. The History Press, 2022. 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. Some people create with words, or with music, or with a brush and paints. I… Read more »

Pacific Northwest Charm in “Trail Town” Mukilteo, WA

Welcome to another installment of our “Trail Town” series highlighting the charming Pacific Northwest town of Mukilteo, Washington. Contributions and photos by Tammy Dunn and Dan Olson of the Snohomish County Sports Commission. Mukilteo is a waterfront community situated on Puget Sound in Snohomish County, about 25 miles north of Seattle. This scenic town of… Read more »

How To Prepare Your Legs for Mountain Trails

This article was written by Sean Rimmer PT, DPT, OCS and first appeared in the summer 2022 edition of our Trail Times newsletter. Rimmer is an avid trail runner and physical therapist living in Colorado Springs, CO, where he is the owner at Run Potential which focuses on rehab and performance training for runners. Above… Read more »

Featured Trail Town: Ruidoso, New Mexico

Welcome to another installment of our “Trail Town” series. This edition was written by Frederic Moras, race director of the Ruidoso Grindstone Trail Runs. This feature first appeared in the summer 2022 edition of our quarterly Trail Times newsletter. Looking for great mountain scenery, miles and miles of multi-use trails, nice weather, abundant wildlife and… Read more »

Greasing the Joints for Spring Trail Running Training

This article was written by longtime ATRA contributor Stephen R. Santangelo and first appeared in the Spring 2022 issue of  our Trail Times newsletter. For many of us living in the upper Northern Hemisphere, temperatures are rising to comfortable levels as winter comes to a close and spring freshness is upon us. During the winter… Read more »