The following release was provided by ATRA member and event standards partner Suunto and features two U.S. trail runners who have been added to its ambassador team. Vantaa, Finland – Suunto, the global leader in premium, innovative products for adventure have announced United States-based trail running athletes, Zach Miller and Abby Hall, will be joining the brand’s global roster of athlete ambassadors. With these signings, Suunto puts further emphasis on its renewed commitment to both the sport of trail running and the American market, which includes the recent announcements of the brand’s pa ..read more

The following release is published with permission from ATRA corporate member KINeSYS and features this year’s ambassadors. KINeSYS Performance Sunscreen is proud to announce its roster of 2024 KINeSYS Champions. Now in its sixth year, the Brand Ambassador program is a group of over 40 individuals from all walks of life. A mix of professional athletes and keen amateur sporting enthusiasts, the program aims to highlight the importance of sun protection for those who are passionate about keeping active in the outdoors. “Our Champions represent the diverse range of athletes, and outdoor enthusia ..read more

The following is reprinted with permission from the Collegiate Running Association and features the 2024 Collegiate Trail Running National Championships announcement. Featured photo from the Fountainhead Trail Race 2023: Kyle Gustafson/Swim Bike Run Photography. The Collegiate Running Association (CRA) is excited to announce a partnership with EX2 Adventures and the Fountainhead 10K Trail Race which will bring the CRA’s 2024 Collegiate Trail Running National Championship to Fairfax County, Virginia on May 19. College students, regardless of experience, ability, or age, have the opportunity to ..read more

The following release was provided by corporate partner BOA® and features the 2024 trail running shoe line. Trail Running traverses various terrains like rocks, mud, snow, and grass, presenting athletes with diverse challenges within a single race. A reliable grip is essential to prevent slipping, but one crucial factor that many runners underestimate is the importance of fit. BOA®-powered Trail Running shoes enhance athletes’ speed, agility, and endurance. The precise fit provides superior heel lock and enhances the connection with the midsole, resulting in more power and greater control over ..read more

Trail runner Sarah Barber reviews 2XU Form Stash Hi-Rise Compression Tights. Product was provided for the test and review at no charge. 2XU. Say it with me: “Two times you.” Two times ME? Uh, not sure that’s a good idea. Most people can barely tolerate just one of me. That was my first thought when I scoured the 2XU website looking for details on their new Form Stash Hi-Rise Compression Tights. But as I dug deeper and learned more about the company, I reframed 2XU as: “Me—only better.” Two times better! Flattering side of hi-rise With a lengthy product name like Form Stash Hi-Rise Compression ..read more

Trials of Miles for the Legs and Mind It’s not about how many miles you run but about how and why you run those miles that determine the kind of runner (and human) you are becoming. In her first book, The Examined Run: Why Good People Make Better Runners, philosopher, assistant professor at Christopher Newport University (Newport News, VA), world-class trail runner, mother, and now author Sabrina Little explores philosophical themes such as the one above that ask deeper questions about running than most of the running community (coaches and influencers included) typically ask. The philosophica ..read more

The following article features the inaugural Natro@Soboba races and was written by Scott Mills. This article first appeared in the spring 2024 issue of Trail Times quarterly newsletter. Race Director Sheldon Subith created, organized, and hosted the inaugural Natro@Soboba 5-kilometer and 25-kilometer races on the Soboba Indian Rezervation (near San Jacinto, CA), on February 24, 2024. With a stellar crew of volunteers including the support from the Soboba Rezervation Council, this first year event was an amazing success. The goal was to introduce and encourage Native American youth and locals t ..read more

Mastering Land Management Relationships and Permits was the subject for the third webinar in the nine-webinar RD Master Class series produced by the US Trail Running Conference presented by Marathon Printing and was live on Tuesday, March 26. The webinar series is free for all race directors and event organizers to access and is held in partnership with the American Trail Running Association. This webinar’s panelists featured three race directors who have all faced a variety of challenges when dealing with land management partners and permitting agencies. Kathleen Baker, Managing Director, Run ..read more

The following article was compiled and written by Ana McCabe and features organizations that support trails. This article first appeared in ATRA’s spring 2024 issue of Trail Times. For trail runners, the health of our trails is just as important as the health of our bodies. Our passion for lightly bounding over rocks and roots of trees cannot be fully enjoyed without environmental wellbeing. As such, trail runners should be aware of the need for ongoing maintenance of trails and learn about and support organizations that help fortify the many trails on which we recreate. Listed below are sever ..read more

Janet Ng, President of The International Trail Running Association (ITRA) since 2021, race director, and avid trail runner based in Hong Kong has been a key figure in trail running on both the Asian and international stages. Ng’s varied roles in the sport have allowed her to develop unique perspectives on the growth of the sport in Asia, women’s participation, and professionalization, and most recently, her involvement in the creation of the inaugural 2024 Gran Canaria World Trail Majors. Few individuals in the sport are as experienced in leadership roles as Ng when it comes to furthering posi ..read more