All about Trail Running

Trail Running may seem self explanatory, but as a sport, it’s actually quite diverse in its offerings. If you like running extra long distances, extra rugged terrain, traversing a mountain or keeping it short and steep, the sport has something for everyone.  Paradis Pro Britta Clark was as a member of the Nordic Ski Team at Bates College, and after graduating she picked up trail running.  She has now qualified for her second UTMB in 2025. Britta shares with us the nuances of trail running and racing and her personal connections to the sport.

This summer, on a trail run in New Hampshire, I overheard a mother point me out to her young child. “Look,” she said, “that lady is trail running." The way she said it struck me: trail running is becoming recognizable as its own activity. The mother was pointing out my activity to her child in the same way as someone might say, ‘look, that person is playing basketball, or look, that person is playing soccer.’ I was not just running or going on a fast hike, I was doing a very distinct thing: trail running. 

But what exactly is trail running? While the name suggests that the sport involves running, this isn’t always the case. Indeed, in some of the longer races I’ve participated in, I probably spent at least half my time power hiking. The defining characteristic, then, is that trail running involves trails. But there are as many different ways of participating in the activity of trail running as there are kinds (and distances) of trails. To get a sense of the diversity of the sport, it helps to look at the different kinds of events that trail runners can compete in. Here’s a non-exhaustive list: 

• Trail Ultramarathons: Trail ultras are races that exceed 26.2 miles. Sometimes, they can be as long as 500+ miles. I enjoy racing 50 mile to 100km distance, though I hope to compete in my first 100 mile race soon! 
• ‘Sub Ultra’ Trail Races: Sub ultra trail races are trail races under 50km, though often they can be much shorter. 
• Skyrunning: ‘Skyrunning’ races are races held at higher altitudes and usually feature steeper terrain (often over 30% grade) and more technical terrain than your standard trail race. Some Skyrunning events even require a helmet! These races vary in distance. 
• Vertical Kilometer (VK) Races: VK races feature a short but incredibly steep ascent of approximately 1 kilometer (0.62 miles) of vertical gain, usually over a few miles. 
• Stage Races: Stage races are multi-day events where participants complete a set distance each day, with the cumulative distance often exceeding a marathon. Often, participants compete as teams. 
• ‘Backyard’ Races: In ‘Backyard’-style races, participants must complete the same loop repeatedly, during a fixed amount of time (usually an hour). The winner of the race is the person who completes the most loops. Oftentimes these races last well over 2 days. 

Of course, trail running need not be competitive at all: it can be just a form of exercise, a mental break, an opportunity to see new places and ecosystems, and a way to spend focused time with friends outside. For me, running is a form of meditation: regardless of whether a run feels good or bad, each run is a time to check in with myself--I’ve often described running as a ‘rinse cycle’ for both my body and mind. Running, and especially racing, is also a form of play: cruising down switchbacks through the trees chasing friends feels like a joyous game. It is these aspects of trail running that keep me coming back to the sport time and time again.

As Britta explains, trail running serves as another way to explore a new place, or spend time outdoors. We hope you’re inspired to get outside!