“I think we often see trail running as an individual endeavor, and miss out on the fact that community is what differentiates trail from other types of running. It’s our biggest asset! My philosophy is that running together makes you faster, and that working with a team makes us better.” —Andy Wacker, founder of The Trail Team
The Trail Team (TTT) has announced its roster of 2026 athletes, providing six new young athletes with opportunities to continue the team’s mission to shape the future of trail running. Since its founding in December 2022, The Trail Team has remained true to its goal: “To support and develop rising athletes into the best professional trail runners in the world through mentorship, skill development, and media exposure.”
The Trail Team has bridged the gap between trail running and other running disciples. Each January since 2023, six new athletes are selected via application to join The Trail Team Elite. Applicants must be between the ages of twenty and thirty, and live and train in the US. Many of the applicants are recent NCAA graduates who qualify as, the most elite and promising young trail runners on the continent.
Professional opportunities and mentorship in trail running for young, talented athletes are few and far between, but The Trail Team continues to address this issue. “The Trail Team has helped me expand my definition of what it means to be a professional athlete. It helped give me the foundation and knowledge to navigate the ins and outs of pursuing trail and sponsorship even before I eventually went pro,” said 2024 Trail Team Elite athlete Shea Aquilano.
She continues, reflecting on her year in 2025 with the team, “It’s also not just about chasing podiums but about stewardship of the sport, community and collaboration. Being surrounded by teammates who care deeply about each other and their goals has done everything to further my own running and feel connected to a broader network of friends in trail.”
Shea Aquilano on the trails.
In addition to Aquilano, The Trail Team has produced many exceptional athletes who have excelled in professional trail running careers and beyond. Previous team members Lara Hamilton, Anna Gibson and Dani Aravich have all established professional trail running careers, as well as qualified for the Olympics in Ski Mountaineering (and Paralympics for Aravich in the biathlon). Former Trail Team members Lauren Gregory and Christian Allen have become multiple-time national champions in trail running and have professional trail running careers.
In addition to the athletes on the team themselves, The Trail Team has also partnered in the past with legends of the sport, including World Mountain Running Champions Grayson Murphy, Allie McLaughlin and Adam Peterman, to assist in mentoring young athletes in the program.
The Trail Team in Slovenia. Photo: Zach McKinney
Expanding resources
Each year since its founding, The Trail Team has expanded its opportunities and resources for team members. 2026 is no exception.
The Trail Team operates under the umbrella of the American Trail Running Association (ATRA), a 501 c 3 nonprofit that has raised approximately $25,000 each year to support athletes. Individual and corporate donations from running brands (Naak, Ciele, Darn Tough, Stryd, Suunto, Maurten, etc.) have provided team members funds to travel to races and training camps and have covered the costs of lodging at these events.
In addition to race travel, The Trail Team has supported its athletes through brand connections, mentorship, training camps and much more. “I have felt so fortunate to be a part of The Trail Team. What Andy and others have built has been crucial to my own transformation into the trail/ultra realm,” said 2025 Trail Team member Devin Pancake.
He continues, describing the various resources and lessons the team has given him, “Between the support for races, equipment, and the organized camps, they’ve removed the friction that usually comes with trying to compete at a high level. Meeting and connecting with other athletes in the same boat has made this entire experience feel less daunting and has given me the confidence to dream bigger.”
In addition to the Elite Team which consists of six runners, The Trail Team also supports a Club Team of twenty runners. While these athletes do not receive the same level of funding as the Elite Team, club athletes still receive many benefits including some support at events, connections with coaching resources/camps, networking with professional athletes/brands, and mentorship opportunities.
“Now, as I transition out of the junior ranks and work toward competing at the professional level, the Trail Team has become my core support system,” said former Trail Team Elite and current Trail Team club member Oakley Olson, “Having access to mentors, experienced athletes, and fellow amateurs who understand the process has been incredibly valuable. It’s given me both confidence and connection heading into races around the world.”
Former Trail Team elite, Oakley Olson.
Who should apply?
In 2026, seventy-two athletes applied for the Elite Trail Team, representing nineteen states plus Australia and Canada. Compared to previous years, more younger athletes applied than ever before (eight applicants were age twenty). Many athletes had track or cross country All-American accolades in NCAA division one or two, showcasing some of the highest talent levels in the applicant pool to date.
Andy Wacker says to those unsure if they should apply for the team, “We tell people to apply even if they don’t think they are quite good enough. This is because we read every application and through applying they will then be on our radar for future years. We can also set up calls with runners that don’t get selected to help them (we’ve given quick advice in the form of mentorship calls or can connect them with more resources like coaches, camps, etc).”
The application process for The Trail Team 2027 will open in early 2027.
The Trail Team 2026.
Meet the 2026 Trail Team Elite
“What stands out most is that it feels multidimensional. We’re not just athletes; we’re students, creatives, scientists, advocates, and friends. There’s an appreciation for the whole person. At the end of the day, the Trail Team has made the sport feel bigger, richer, and more connected. It provides a small leg up for younger athletes hoping to get into the sport. And a lot of times that’s all that’s needed for a developing trail athlete to be successful.” —Shea Aquilano, former Trail Team Elite athlete
Listed below are profiles and quotes from the 2026 Trail Team Members. Athletes share their excitement about their selection, future trail running goals, and what they look forward to most about representing The Trail Team and pushing the sport forward in new directions.
Oakley Olson shares her advice for new trail team athletes from her experiences on the team, “My biggest piece of advice for new Trail Team members is to show up with a true beginner’s mindset. What makes the team so special is being surrounded by athletes who are deeply dedicated to the sport, carry a wealth of knowledge, and who are genuinely excited to share it.”
Zach Erikson on the trail.
Zach Erikson
Age: 25
Home: Orem, UT
College: Brigham Young University
Achievements: Third and seventh place finisher at the USATF Mountain Running Championships in 2024 and 2025 respectively
Quote: “My lifelong goal in running is to always have fun, and for me competition is by far the most fun. There’s nothing like training hard and then testing yourself against other athletes who have worked just as hard. I’m super grateful to The Trail Team for giving me a chance to showcase my talents, and I’m excited to make the most of this unique opportunity!”
Abby Stone sporting The Trail Team gear.
Abby Stone
Age:
20Home: Colorado Springs, CO (originally from Utah)
College: Utah Valley University
Achievements: U20 World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) World Cup champion in Slovenia 2025, U20 Champion at the 2025 USATF Trail Half Marathon Championships
Quote: “It is such an honor to have The Trail Team next to my name! After having a great first trail race at Broken Arrow last year, I was able to qualify for Team USA at the Trail World Championships. My college coach at the time left me with a decision to race for my country, or continue with my college running career. I decided to take the leap into trail running. I am so grateful for The Trail Team immediately taking me under their wing to help get me experience racing internationally at the World Cup before Spain.
“So, this year, I couldn’t wait to apply to officially be a part of this stellar group of athletes. This year, I want to use the network of mentors and support the Trail Team has in order to become more competitive in racing nationally, but also internationally. Big careers start with big dreams; I want to win national and world championships, and create the masterpiece of winning the quadfecta of UTMB (ECC, OCC, CCC, UTMB) throughout my career. Being a part of the trail team means a lot to me to mark a change, and the start of a really exciting future being next to mountain athletes I will continue to look up to. Andy and Karley have created something special, and it means a lot to me to be a part of this!”
Elise Coates getting set for a trail run.
Elise Coates
Age: 24
Home: Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
College: University of Victoria
Achievements: All-Canadian finisher at the Canadian USports Cross Country National Championship, represented Canada in the 5K at the 2025 FISU World University Games
Quote: “I’m from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada – our trail scene is world-class but there are very few athletes my age trying to pursue trail at a high level. I applied to the Trail Team because I saw it as an opportunity to join a community of like-minded runners. Being on the Trail Team this year will be the ultimate opportunity for me to explore trail racing. Grassroots and local trail events were my introduction to trail and mountain racing – the Trail Team is going to expose me to higher calibre racing and competition. I want to use this year to gain as much race experience as possible. As an Arc’teryx BC ambassador, I’ve had the opportunity to host quite a few community trail run events. I’d love to continue to build my network of passionate outdoor folk and support the growing Canadian trail community by providing learning opportunities and environments for new trail runners.”
Grace Strongman competing for the Colorado School of Mines.
Grace Strongman
Age: 23
Home: Golden, CO (originally from Prairie Village, KS)
College: Colorado School of Mines
Achievements: NCAA Division II Cross Country Champion runner-up and Colorado School of Mines record holder in the 1,500m
Quote: “It means the world to be a part of The Trail Team, to have opportunities to run hard in the mountains, and to build community as I give it my all in my first season on the trails. I decided to apply because competing trails has been calling my name since finishing my last cross country season and I love getting to know folks who love running just like I do. This year will be my first trail season, so I am looking forward to developing the skills I need to translate cross country and track fitness to a new discipline. Long term, I am on a mission to build the strongest version of myself and to be a part of amazing teams along the way.”
Maya Rayle on the trails.
Maya Rayle
Age:26
Home: Missoula, MT
College: University of Wisconsin, Madison
Achievements: Ran 4:38 in the indoor mile, placed second in 2025 at The Rut Mountain race and fourth at the Cirque Series Targhee
Quote: “It’s so exciting to be joining the Trail Team. Andy and Karly have built a special community of runners who want to help each other get better while having fun doing it, and it’s an extraordinary opportunity to be a part of it. I first heard about the team at the Moab Trail Half Marathon a couple months ago. Before warming up for the race, I was standing around staying warm by a fire with a bunch of other runners, and started chatting with a few people on the team. They randomly gave me a temporary tattoo, which took a couple weeks to wear off so I kept looking at my quad and wondering what the trail team was all about. I googled them then reached out to Andy. We had a great conversation over the phone and he was so eager to help give advice on races. I got a positive vibe immediately.
“My goal this year is to try a lot of new types of races and push myself. I’d like to see what I can do on the trails. As a track/XC kid in Oregon, I would spend my summers and easy days running trails, but I stopped doing that in college when training paces got faster. While I enjoyed my time in the NCAA, moving to Missoula reconnected me with my initial love of running, which came from exploring beautiful places. There is no better feeling in the world than a long run through some steep mountain trail system. After befriending a bunch of trail runners and slowly becoming convinced that more vertical runs were just as good if not better than flat and fast training, I was quite willingly peer pressured into trail racing this past summer. I’m hooked now. It’s such a fun sport and a great community of people. I’m super excited for a good season of races!”
Paul Knight competing for Colorado School of Mines.
Paul Knight
Age: 23
Home: Golden, CO (originally from Durango, CO)
College: Colorado School of Mines
Achievements: Fourth place finisher at the NCAA DII Cross Country Championships. and boasts personal records (PRs) of 13:43 in the 5K, 28:38 in the 10K, and also ran the second fastest 3K time recorded on Colorado soil (8:03).
Quote: “Being accepted onto The Trail Team (TTT) is a dream come true. I’ve loved trail running my entire life but also wanted to compete collegiately because for me it was the path to being the best athlete I could. Running at Mines has been one of the best experiences of my life, and now I cannot wait to take the next step in joining TTT and becoming a part of that community. The environment it provides is truly unique, and the role models here embody what this sport is all about.
“I decided to apply to the team because I have always had a passion for trail running, but the transition from the NCAA to elite trail running has always appeared convoluted at best. TTT changes the game in that respect. The way I have seen TTT help runners make that transition has been inspirational for me and I just feel so lucky to be on that path now.
“Being part of a community has always been important to me and is one of my favorite parts of being on a college team. I hope to contribute to the trail community and am excited to build connections with more amazing people in this sport. I am also looking forward to getting to know the other members of the team and learning more about their journeys in the sport. It’s particularly exciting to join the team alongside my current Mines teammate, Grace; we’ve already been talking about how excited we are to kick off our trail careers after giving it our all this track season!
“Growing up in Durango and watching the Hardrock 100 almost every summer since I was a kid inspired my long-term goal of tackling mountainous ultras. For now, however, I am focused on sub-ultra distances. I love the fast-paced format of races like Broken Arrow and look forward to competing in similar events this year.”
Editor’s Note: Read about the selection of The Trail Team 2025 here, and The Trail Team 2024 here.
