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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UltraSignup Hosting 2026 US Trail Running Conference in Nashville, Launching New Registration Platform
Craig Thornley, Sally McRae and Lazarus Lake will headline the US Trail Running Conference built for race directors, November 5–7 at Music City Center.
UltraSignup
October 11, 2026
UltraSignup’s David Callahan on the Unrationed Pod
David Callahan, co-CEO of Ultra Signup, joins Evan and Danny on the Unrationed Podcast to talk about the evolution of UltraSignup and the growth of trail running.
Brian Metzler
October 10, 2026
Craig Thornley and Sally McRae Announced as 2026 US Trail Running Conference Keynote Speakers
The US Trail Running Conference is the gathering place for the people who make trail running possible. Its mission is to strengthen the trail running ecosystem in a focused, community-driven conference for educating, collaborating, and growing the sport responsibly.
UltraSignup
September 8, 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
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
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
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
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
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
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