The American Trail Running Association’s (ATRA) advisory board is proud to present our 2023 theme, “Celebrate Youth on the Trails.” This theme will guide our efforts to grow youth participation in trail running, as well as, inspire the youthful nature of all participants already active in our sport.
This month our advisory board members evaluated our strategy and goals for the coming year, including discussions regarding our 2023 theme. Each year we use a theme to guide our editorial decisions and initiatives over the next 12 months. By designating a theme we are able to focus our programming and have a targeted inspiration for our Trail News stories and social media content. In their excitement about this year’s theme our board members had these thoughts:
ATRA president Adam Chase said, “We elevate our inner child when we run trails, at least for some of the run. It only makes sense to call attention to that as this year’s theme; both the spirit we embrace and introducing the activity to younger runners through ATRA campaigns.”
ATRA board member Andy Ames added, “The theme makes me think of all the little kids I see at the trailhead sprinting off or racing each other back. The word youth makes me think of the wonder, awe, and exuberance we all feel when we hit the trail.”
ATRA secretary Kriste Peoples echoed, “I’m also appreciating the nod to joy, wonder, and awe in the theme!”
With so many ways to interpret this theme, we will have many stories and programs to share in the coming year. In line with this, we recently introduced pages specific for youth trail running. This initiative is thanks to a task force led by Max King through the USATF Mountain Ultra Trail Council. As part of this project, we will be able to feature trail races that are youth-friendly. Race directors can apply to have their events certified as Youth Trail approved using this Google Form.
Another project we are supporting is The Trail Team. Their mission is to independently support and develop rising athletes into the best professional trail runners in the world through mentorship, skill development, and media exposure. Spearheaded by Andy Wacker, part of the program will include selecting six young elite athletes ages 20-30 from a pool of candidates. These athletes will be provided with training camps to help perfect their skills.
Executive director Nancy Hobbs is also a fan of the theme, “I was recently on a snowy, wintry run and heard some kids in the distance sledding…remember going sledding as a kid? I sure do and it was fun. I get that same kind of happiness when I’m on the trails. We hope you too celebrate your youth on the trails no matter your age, and we look forward to hearing your stories that reflect and resonate with our theme.”
Photo by Nancy Hobbs.
“Celebrate Youth on the Trails” follows our recent annual themes including 2022’s Trail Running is for Every Body, 2021’s Resilience, 2020’s Climate Action, 2019’s Trail Running Responsibly, 2018’s Trail Stewardship: Leaving a Lasting Legacy, and our 2017 theme Community: Building Trail Running Connections.
