Culture

Every fall, the prevalence of hunting where I live in Vermont forces me to shift from running trails to dirt roads. I’ve learned to love the change of pace – and to stay safe.

Moderate alcohol consumption can bring joy to people who are able to enjoy it responsibly. And what’s the point of trail running – or anything else – if we aren’t experiencing joy?

For World Mental Health Day, this short film follows one runner’s journey of accomplishments and setbacks in feeling comfortable in his own body.

A last-minute change of plans left one Colorado elite athlete seeking a partner for the grueling 8-day TransAlpine Run. She found her on a mountain. Wearing heels.

This trail running bird lover shares a unique perspective on autumnal raptor migration.

On October 10th, Trail Runner and Rising Hearts are celebrating Indigenous excellence in running with a panel of leading Indigenous athletes, scientists, and artists.

Curious what's trending? Here were the five most popular Trail Runner articles published last month.

The two adventurers that fell in love with each other, then the legendary line linking 14 of Colorado’s highest peaks.

The Backyard Stories is a new podcast and written column following athletes and local food advocates who are deeply investing in their home ecosystems - their backyards.

Learning to adapt training and mindset through Alaskan winters

Our running goes through seasons. Embracing general fitness over peak performance takes an attitude adjustment.

Working towards better balance might actually be what is keeping you from finding passion in life and potential in running. Instead of seeking balance, practice integrating who you already are with what matters most to you.

Everyone has a Why. Our motivations are as varied as our backgrounds, and these passions are what powers adventures big and small.

Trails don’t maintain themselves. Here’s what trail work is and why you should consider volunteering, even if it isn’t required.

Women tend to play down their accomplishments. Here’s why ultrarunner Sally McRae wants that to change.

Team USA hauled in a lot of medals at World Snowshoe Championships in Argentina

Ultrarunning, why? The Diversity of Motivations and Experiences in Ultrarunners

Curious what's trending? Here were the five most popular Trail Runner articles published last month.

It’s an unfortunate tragedy, but, many argue, high-mountain adventure can never be completely free of risk

UTMB is a brutally challenging race, but the race-week hype, world-class competition, and global party vibes have a way of making every runner feel special

Two improvising trail runners on making it up as you go

Dogs may be the perfect running partners: They're always ready to go, they eagerly keep pace, and they never complain about being tired. But not every dog is built for running. The ideal jogging companion is low-maintenance and obedient, with energy and endurance.

In episode one of Peaks Project from Black Diamond, Richardson and Boulder community members share why this mountain is so special to them.

Wild and crazy running adventures on the Colorado pack-burro racing circuit

Long COVID can affect anyone, and women runners are no exception. Often, the experience of a runner with long COVID is one of isolation alongside the physical symptoms.

The biggest climate change legislation ever has just cleared the senate. Here’s why trail runners should care.

One woman marks seven years of sobriety by attempting to run the Grand Canyon’s 47-mile Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim trail run in one push. It all sounded great and symbolic. In theory. 

A marooned writer discovers herself while running the trails of Vashon Island, Washington.

Hawley is lucky that his awkward run didn’t end in injury.

How repeated failure, patience, and reverence led this runner to complete one of Colorado’s most demanding mountain challenges. 

Virginia’s Bob Gaylord had a serious lean as he crossed the finish of the Massanutten Mountain Trail 100 with no time to spare.

From Florida to Colorado, trails can look many different ways. Let's expand what "trail running" really means.

Jane Herzog doesn’t want to be an inspiration. She just wants to be a runner by any means necessary. 

Michael Mitchell is unafraid to express his glittery self on the trail. 

Many athletes enjoy running because of its therapeutic properties. But what about when running itself becomes a source of stress?

We all hope that we'll be able to run forever. But in some cases, it really is time to hang up your shoes for good.

A volunteer in Switzerland shares how she connects to those seeking asylum

In Boston, running the marathon is the easy part. It's getting to the starting line that's a process.

Indigenous runners are drawing attention to the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives with education and events this May.

Running injuries suck. Wallowing and grieving is a completely logical response, but often there’s something more complex under the surface.

In an effort to end violence against female runners, Adidas and its new partners are launching an education program for men.

When I became a mother, and set my sights on my next 100-miler, I dreamt about the performance-enhancing benefits my new status might bequeath.

Community is everything. Here’s how these Indigenous runners are building theirs.

Ultrarunner and author Mirna Valerio recalls patterns of overstriving in her young self that she still carries today.

Check out Zoë Rom's author page.

How one organization uses running to bring attention to the LandBack movement.

Paying for a big day out.

What happens when you feed 2,000 actual hikers' trail names into a neural network? We'll let you see for yourself.

If you love both your partner and your running, it behooves you to spot running-related red flags in your relationship.

With his first win at 17, Owen Thornton has his heart and mind set on a future in ultrarunning.

The remote town of Thunder Bay isn't known for trail running, but one trail group, created by Jamis Hall, is creating a niche.

When I first started running, I did it because it brought me joy to see my own improvements and join a community. But then I brought my phone into the equation.

One columnist's approach to running and writing.

Sometimes we get in a rut of running the same roads and trails over and over again. One writer muses on how to restoke that fire.

Becoming a parent presents a huge number of changes and challenges. But it's possible to balance parenting with athletic pursuits.

How elite trail athletes set goals....and stick to them.

Inside the 100-mile Halloween party.

Drinking was messing with his performance, so an endurance athlete set out to make a delicious nonalcoholic beer.

With its Stolen Starts initiative, New Balance aims to empower more women, grow the sport, and make up for lost time

Of all of the takes currently floating around the internet, elite runner Sabrina Little argues that the worst is probably the one about how a professional runner would never eat a burrito.

Running Stones, qualifying points. A new World Series. How are you going to get into UTMB?

Has UTMB lost its way? In this op-ed, our Chamonix correspondent reflects on his relationship to the iconic UTMB race, and what changes in direction mean for the trail community.

Should you take TP on the run? Is it okay to walk? What is a "normal" distance to run? Your trail running questions, answered.

Racing UTMB, following it in person or on online, or crewing a friend? Here’s the play-by-play of the course… and how to run it!

Your complete guide to the UTMB races

The Rocky Mountain Slam, a series of five races through the Rockies, is the quirkiest and toughest race series in ultrarunning.

With three international additions and nothing below 100k - this change is sure to shake up the startline at the U.S.'s most competitive 100 miler.

Athletes responding to their mental health isn't weakness. It's awareness.

Does alcohol have a place in a sport promoting health and wellness?

An Indigenous runner reflects on her relationship to land, language and running.

How the trail running legend continues to inspire others after years in the sport.

Dinée Dorame is the one-woman host, creator, and producer of the Grounded Podcast, on the intersection of running, culture, land and community. Through all of her work, Dorame builds upon a legacy: the values that her family and community have passed down to her.

The hardest 100-miler in the U.S. returns for the first time since 2018

How science is bridging the gap between physical and mental health.

Certain groups and individuals are considering how gender and race interact to limit women’s access to, and experience on, the trails.

An excerpt from Hillary Allen's Out And Back

How the quirky thrills of a Ragnar Trail Relay stoked my running fires

Some high points require expert skill, a bit of luck, and probably some suffering. Not these. Here are 14 peaks—high on views, low on effort—that don’t play hard to get.

AI is the inevitable future of athletics posed to revolutionize the endurance sporting industry. Here’s where we are, and what we can expect to see in the coming years.