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.
2024 Keep Trail Running Weird Award Winners – Celebrating the Trail Community
Zoë and Buzz dive into what community means to them and why the Keep Trail Running Weird awards matter.
UltraSignup
January 22, 2025
THE WINNERS: 2024 Keep Trail Running Weird Awards
Wow! Every single nomination sent us spiraling down a rabbit hole of stalking UltraSignup results and scrolling through the IG profiles of truly amazing members of our trail community. The votes have been tallied! Keep reading!
UltraSignup
December 31, 2024
2024 Keep Trail Running Weird Awards
We are excited to announce that the 2024 Keep Trail Running Weird Awards SZN is here! Nominate your buddies and don't forget to vote.
UltraSignup
November 25, 2024
It’s these people who make the trail running community special.
Introducing Faces of Trail Running a column where we spotlight community members from our beloved sport of running on dirt.
Shelby Farrell
August 28, 2024
Comedy & Running with Zoë Rom
If you enjoy spending a lot of time preparing for something with minimal payoff, don’t mind talking to yourself, and have a high pain tolerance (emotional and physical!), then running and comedy might be for you!
Zoë Rom
August 27, 2024
When Nature Tested Us: The Heart of the Eastern States 100 Community
Mother Nature had different plans for the 2024 Eastern States 100.
Blake Cohen
August 13, 2024
Humble Determination: Running the Length of Pennsylvania on Route 6
Meet Rhoda Smoker, who in May of 2024 ran the length of Pennsylvania on Route 6. That is 400 miles over a total running time of 154 hours and 49 minutes!
Shelby Farrell
July 26, 2024
Between Two Pines Takes on Western States
The lottery gods have smiled upon us, and Dominic Grossman and Andy Pearson, hosts of Between Two Pines Podcast, will take their turn in the hot seat this weekend, June 29, 2024, when they hit the start line of the Western States Endurance Run in Olympic Valley.
Zoë Rom
June 26, 2024
2023 Winners of the Keep Trail Running Weird Awards
Each year, UltraSignup closes out the year with Keep Trail Running Weird Awards. We consider the awards a ‘podium finish’ for the everyday runner, honoring the beautifully weird and free-spirited culture of the trail running community. Since 2021, we have recognized 5 winners nominated by the community and 5 winners based on crunching the numbers…
UltraSignup
January 16, 2024
Keep Trail Running Weird Finalists: 2023
Get to know the top finalists in each category for the 2023 Awards. Cast your vote by January 5!
UltraSignup
December 21, 2023