We're diving deep on the races, training tips, and gear you need to know to get outside off paved roads to run a whole new way. Click here for more stories about the trail explosion. TRAIL RUNNING OFFERS a huge range of experiences.
Events often stretch up to (and beyond) 100 miles. Less focused on distance? There are 5K jaunts, too.
Looking to lose yourself in nature? Take your pick from races staged in forested national parks, deserts, and epic coastline vistas. You can embrace your competitive side and strive to qualify for one of the major endurance events, which offer only hundreds of bibs to thousands of hopefuls, or you can hit the paths looking to make friends and have fun at social-first runs designed to foster community.
No matter what your preference, there’s a trail race for you. We’ve selected some of our favorites, from the top competitions in the world to some little-known runs focused on getting more people outside paved roads for the first time. Some of these events require qualification or invites to participates, and others are welcome to all comers.
There’s a wide, wild world of trail out there. You just have to find the right place for you. CONSIDERED BY MANY to be the pinnacle of trail running, UTMB a multi-day trail series held annually at the end of August in Chamonix, France, with race courses stretching through the Alps to Italy and Switzerland, too.
The week is capped by its main event, the 174 kilometer (108 mile) namesake race, but pros and enthusiasts alike take on distances ranging from 15 kilometers (the YCC for youth runners) to the team-based technical challenge of the 300 kilometer (186 mile) PTL. I ran the MCC, the 40 kilometer (24.9 mile) entry-level race from Switzerland to Chamonix, and it was incredible. OFTEN REFERRED TO as simply “Leadville,” this Colorado 100-miler is all about altitude.
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