Culture
Trail running is bigger than any one runner. Trailhead’s Culture section tells the stories of the people who make the sport everything that it is, the people at the heart of trail running culture. Read on for runner spotlights, race stories, and everyday humans showing up at to volunteer, pace, race, and support one another around the world. From first-time 5K finishers to people like Mike Smith stacking over 250 100-miler finishes, this is where the trail community lives on the page. Brought to you by UltraSignup.
Find your people, find your race.
Search trail races, ultramarathons, and community events near you on ultrasignup.com — from 5K charity runs to 300-mile epics.
Grounded, Calm and Consistent, Lauren Jones Has Found Success on Hospital Floors and Mountain Trails
Lauren Jones’ story is particularly compelling because she has built her progression as a trail runner alongside a demanding career.
Allison Mercer
April 25, 2026
Jamil Coury’s New Obsession
Jamil Coury, ultrarunning’s perpetual innovator, has created a platform that might inspire your running.
Sarah Lavender Smith
April 21, 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
Life is an Ultra: Amanda Basham has Learned How to Juggle a Busy Life
Ultrarunner Amanda Basham talks about finding time to train, balancing family life, and a diagnosis of early perimenopause.
Ashley Arnold
March 20, 2026
13 Great Women’s Trail Running Events to Put on Your Calendar
Women's participation in trail and ultra events has been slowly but steadily increasing — and the numbers, for once, actually back that up. According to UltraSignup's own 2024 data, women represented 39.6 percent of all race entries, up from previous years and approaching the 41.3 percent peak set during the pandemic running boom. At sub-ultra…
Zoë Rom
March 6, 2026
Catching up with ultra legend Krissy Moehl
Few names carry as much weight in trail running as Krissy Moehl. Over more than two decades at the sport’s highest level, she has crafted a legacy that stretches well beyond ultra finish lines and podiums. With 65 wins in women’s races and a few more outright victories across some of the world’s most grueling…
Brian Metzler
March 3, 2026
History of the Belt Buckle in Ultrarunning
What do belt buckles have to do with ultrarunning? The history of the belt buckle as a reward for completing a 100-miler stems from the horse world.
Jen Sotolongo
February 12, 2026
2025 Keep Trail Running Weird Award Winners
For the past five years, UltraSignup has closed out the year with the Keep Trail Running Weird Awards. Unlike traditional end-of-year running awards, these honors aren’t about the fastest finishers or the most innovative brands. They exist to celebrate the trail running community itself. These are the friends who got us into trail running in…
UltraSignup
January 13, 2026
2025 Keep Trail Running Weird Finalists – Vote Now
We consider the Keep Trail Running Weird awards a “podium finish” for the everyday runner, honoring the community, quirkiness, and authenticity of our sport. It’s the fifth year of these awards, and we consider it a privilege to celebrate with everyone once again. The Keep Trail Running Weird awards recognize five award categories that are…
UltraSignup
December 23, 2025
2025 Keep Trail Running Weird Awards – Now Open
UltraSignup's annual awards to celebrate the run community. Consider it a podium finish for every runner.
UltraSignup
December 13, 2025