Founded in 1999, Trail Runner is the country’s leading magazine for off-road running enthusiasts. In-depth editorial and compelling photography informs, entertains and inspires readers of all ages and abilities to enjoy the outdoors and to improve their health and fitness through the sport of trail running.

Your well-written query should present a clear, original and provocative story angle, not merely a topic or idea, and should reflect your thorough knowledge of the magazine’s content, editorial style and tone. When submitting a query, identify which department your story would be best suited for.

Due to the high volume of queries received, we regretfully cannot respond to each one. If we are interested in your story idea, an editor will contact you within eight weeks.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS

Features
Our in-depth features cover a gamut of topics, including personality profiles, top trail-running destinations, race profiles/reports and issues in our sport, and generally run 2000 to 3000 words (and include a short sidebar or two). Please do not submit "my first ultramarathon" stories.

Long Departments (1000 to 1200 words)

Great Escapes—stories are destination travel stories from a trail runner’s point of view, including where to run, climate, local services and community, amenities and events relevant to trail runners.

Faces—is a human interest section highlighting interesting characters in the trail-running world, from celebrities to housewives, elite runners to back-of-the-packers; it’s their story that determines who makes a good subject.

Service Departments (800 to 1000 words each)

Take Your Mark—short profiles of three upcoming trail races tied together with a cental theme.

Training—a focused essay on a timely training topic relevant to trail runners. Articles should be supported with input from reliable sources, such as scientific journals, experts or studies.

Trail Rx—health news for trail runners, including injury treatment and prevention and general well-being.

Trail Tips—topics can be wide-ranging, but are specifically trail-running-service oriented.

Nutrition—a focused essay on a current nutrition topic relevant to trail runners. Statements about food science or health claims should be supported by reliable sources, such as scientific journals, experts or studies.

Making Tracks—is the magazine’s news department, including short Q&A interviews, news bits and race reports, each from 500 to 800 words.

Gear reviews are conducted in-house; however, if you want to become a Trail Runner magazine shoe tester, please email your name, contact information, shoe size and running background to aarnold@bigstonepub.com.

How to Submit
Please submit your query, along with one or two writing samples (preferrably previously published articles), including your name, phone number and email address, to Trail Runner either by email or post to:

Associate Editor, Ashley Arnold, aarnold@bigstonepub.com
Editor, Michael Benge, mbenge@bigstonepub.com

Trail Runner Magazine
2567 Dolores Way
Carbondale, Colorado 81623

PHOTOGRAPHY SUBMISSIONS

Trail Runner regularly features stunning photography of trail running destinations, races, adventures and faces of the sport.

Trail Runner is not responsible for unsolicited submissions. Please address all submissions to Photo Editor, Big Stone Publishing, 417 Main Street, Unit N, Carbondale, Colorado, 81623, USA. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) for their return.

DIGITAL SUBMISSIONS PREFERRED

Please send a low-resolution preview CD and a corresponding high-resolution CD along with hard-copy printout. We do not return CDs unless accompanied by SASE of the proper dimensions and with sufficient postage. CDs do not have a monetary value. Generally, we require a minimum of 6mp for up to 2/3-page, and 10mp for full page and spread use. We prefer unsharpened images. You can also email low-resolution samples to photos@bigstonepub.com.

We accept original slides (but still prefer digital) and black-and-white prints; color prints are NOT acceptable.

IMPORTANT!

All photo submissions are subject to Trail Runner's rates, terms and conditions. Trail Runner does not accept photographers’ “terms and conditions” for any unsolicited slides, film or prints.