Business & Industry

The race behind the race. Trailhead’s Business & Industry section covers the people, companies, and decisions shaping trail and ultrarunning — race director interviews, brand launches, partnership news, sponsorship trends, and analysis of where the sport is headed. From series-level acquisitions to grassroots race economics, this is the inside view for race organizers, brand teams, and runners who want to know how the sport actually works. Brought to you by UltraSignup, the world’s leading trail running registration platform.

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10 Great New Running Books of 2026

10 Great New Running Books of 2026

Like springtime itself, the latest crop of running books reflects a sense of renewal, offering fresh perspectives and stories to carry runners into the next stretch of the year.
UltraSignup
April 14, 2026
What the TRE Trade Show Says About the Future of Running

What the TRE Trade Show Says About the Future of Running

Here are six hot takes from TRE 2025, the running industry’s biggest trade show event, and the future of running
Zoë Rom
December 16, 2025
Great Books About Trail Running

Great Books About Trail Running

Here are four of the best books about trail running published in 2025, plus a few more good ones to put on your reading list this winter—or your holiday gift list this week!
UltraSignup
December 16, 2025
Trail & Ultra Awards Season Is Almost Upon Us

Trail & Ultra Awards Season Is Almost Upon Us

From FKTs to fashion fails, it’s officially trail running awards season. Here’s how the trail world celebrates another wild, wonderful year on the dirt.
Brian Metzler
November 11, 2025
The Growth of Trail Running and the Murkiness of Performance-Enhancing Drugs

The Growth of Trail Running and the Murkiness of Performance-Enhancing Drugs

Trail Running Needs More Complete Anti-Doping Controls to Be Taken Seriously
Brian Metzler
September 23, 2025
8 Hot Takes From a Transformative Week in Chamonix

8 Hot Takes From a Transformative Week in Chamonix

Brian Metzler has been to every UTMB week since 2010, and in this piece he shares his 8 hot takes from a transformative week of trail running in Chamonix.
Brian Metzler
September 2, 2025
10 Things You Need to Know About UTMB Week

10 Things You Need to Know About UTMB Week

Welcome to UTMB week! It’s the biggest international trail running event of the year, featuring eight races culminating in the venerable Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB).
Brian Metzler
August 26, 2025
Opinion: This is the Biggest Moment in American Trail Running.

Opinion: This is the Biggest Moment in American Trail Running.

Trail running industry veteran Brian Metzler shares his perspective about the biggest week in trail running.
Brian Metzler
June 17, 2025
Melting Down: Year One as a Race Director

Melting Down: Year One as a Race Director

From film sets to finish lines—how a filmmaker and seasoned ultrarunner joined forces to launch a 24-hour race in Bozeman, powered by grit, Gatorade, and friends.
Allison Powell
April 30, 2025
15 Unexpectedly Delightful Discoveries at TRE

15 Unexpectedly Delightful Discoveries at TRE

After The Running Event, brain buzzing from a pop-punk cover-band-fueled Brooks party, I couldn’t stop thinking about these fifteen game-changing products, people, and surprises.
Shelby Farrell
November 26, 2024

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