Competition
The pointy end of the trail. Trailhead’s Trail Race Competition section covers the sharp end of trail and ultrarunning — race results recaps, athlete profiles, head-to-head previews, championship coverage, and the storylines driving the world’s biggest races. From Black Canyon Ultras and Western States to regional series championships and emerging American ultra talent, this is where competitive trail running gets the analysis it deserves. Brought to you by UltraSignup, the world’s leading trail running registration platform.
Chasing a result of your own?
UltraSignup hosts results from tens of thousands of trail races, 50Ks, 100Ks, and 100-mile ultramarathons. Find your next race — or look up an old one — at ultrasignup.com.
Marisa Romeo: A Hands-On Study of The Inner Work of Endurance
Marisa Romeo exists at the integration of psychological skill development, where science informs practice, and practice refines science.
Allison Mercer
March 24, 2026
For Rajpaul Pannu, Actions Speak Louder Than Words
A year after suffering a nullified championship and a blow to his confidence, a refocused Rajpaul Pannu ran relentlessly for redemption.
Allison Mercer
March 10, 2026
5 Hot Takes About the 2026 Black Canyon Ultras
Here are five hot takes about the 2026 Black Canyon 100K and 50K races.
Brian Metzler
February 16, 2026
Broken Arrow Skyrace Adds Two New Youth Trail Races
Broken Arrow Skyrace has added two youth trail races to serve as incubator for future American trail running athletes.
Brian Metzler
February 13, 2026
How and When Will Trail Running Become an Olympic Sport?
Athletes and fans are excited about the possibility of trail running becoming an Olympic sport. Here's how it could play out.
Brian Metzler
February 3, 2026
2025 Mountain/Ultra/Trail Runners of the Year: Aggregated Scoring
This award wrap-up is an attempt to determine a definitive ranking of the best trail runners of the year across all categories and disciplines.
Buzz Burrell
January 20, 2026
Des Linden is Targeting Big Trail and Ultrarunning Races in 2026
Less than a year after retiring from a long and successful career as a professional marathon runner, Linden will be toeing the starting line of the Marathon des Sables on April 3 in Morocco.
Brian Metzler
January 14, 2026
How Two Trail Runners Earned a Spot in the 2026 Winter Olympics
Trail runners Cameron Smith and Anna Gibson are heading to the 2026 Winter Olympics, representing the U.S. in the new discipline of skimo racing.
Brian Metzler
December 30, 2025
6 Takeaways from Anne Flower’s Stunning Breakthrough Season
A glimpse into 2026 suggests next year could be even brighter for this Colorado Springs runner.
Brian Metzler
November 18, 2025
Will We See Courtney and Katie Race Each Other Again? I Sure Hope So.
For a moment, it looked like Courtney Dauwalter and Katie Schide might finally meet at UTMB. The matchup never happened, but the story behind it reveals how the sport is changing.
Brian Metzler
October 28, 2025