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.
The Long Road to Running in a City
A few months ago, I found myself in a familiar place: back in my hometown’s running shop, struggling to decide what shoes to buy. I had narrowed it down to two—a newer model of the road shoes I had been running in for years, and a pair trail shoes, built for the trails I wanted…
Chris Ritter
October 7, 2023
Finding Community In Human-Powered Adventure
Lifelong athlete Brendan Madigan, Race Director and Founder of the Broken Arrow Sky Race, is deeply driven to provide value and connection to athletes and people in need.
Morgan Tilton
September 26, 2023
Walmsley on Snow
One of America’s best ultrarunners takes on the European ski-mountaineering scene.
Doug Mayer
May 13, 2023
Nice. So What’s That in Miles?
First published in Like the Wind magazine #32.
Eric Sutliff
March 10, 2023
The Definition of Endurance Insanity
If you are doing more than me, you must be out of your mind.
Peter Bromka
February 17, 2023
The Best of the Best Awards of 2022
A deep dive into the trail and ultrarunning awards.
Buzz Burrell
January 30, 2023
Hellah Sidibe Takes Flight
Hellah Sidibe left his MLS career to rediscover self-belief, consistency, and a mindset shift—to running every single day.
Morgan Tilton
January 16, 2023