Ryan Sandes running on Mont Blanc.
© Kelvin Trautman/Red Bull Content Pool
Running

11 trail run races to invigorate your training regime

You can explore some of the world's most amazing places while trail running, so add some extra motivation to your exercise routine by working out like you're taking part in these incredible races.
Written by Ashley Quinlan
6 min readPublished on
Setting yourself a goal is often the key to staying motivated and getting the most out of your exercise routine. Trail running has no shortage of fantastic races that you can target on your list of challenges, so here are eleven of the best events to check out.

Tromsø Skyrace

The first edition of the Tromso Skyrace will take place this year and it's made up of four races: the Tromsdalstind Skyrace (28km), the Bøntuva tour-race (15km), the Hamperokken Skyrace (57km) and the Blamann Vertical Kilometer, the last two of which are part of the Elite Skyrunner World Series.
This one makes the most of the Nordic landscapes and is for experienced racers, with mountain ridges cutting through fjords and technical courses among the obstacles to overcome.

Golden Ultra

The Golden Ultra is a three-day trail running festival that takes in a Vertical Kilometer on day one, a 60km Ultramarathon on day two, and a 22km event on the third. Alternatively you can opt for the ‘Half Pint’, shorter distance races held on the same days that offer a slightly less intimidating entry point to mountain trail running.
You need only look at the single-word nicknames for the Golden Ultra and Half Pint races to see what we’re talking about: 'Climb', 'Conquer' and 'Cruise' for the shorter races, and 'Blood', 'Sweat' and 'Tears' for the longer challenges.

Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc

Lauded by some as the world summit of trail-running, how could the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc not make this list of must-run trails races?
You can get a place by collecting points via a series of qualifying events or by a ballot. With seven events to choose from, ranging from 15 to 171km in distance, as well as a team event at a total of 290km with 26,500m of ascent, there’s plenty here for all-comers in the French Alps.

Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Runs

  • Where: Nevada, USA
  • When: January, 2021
  • Website: trter.com
There are three races which make up the Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Runs covering 161km, 80km and 55km.
The larger distance is governed by strict qualification times to help ensure completion and the two shorter distances are open to all via a ballot system. The routes run largely parallel to Lake Tahoe and skirt the smaller Marlette Lake, making the most of the hilly terrain en route.

Ultra-Trail Australia

Ultra-Trail Australia is a veritable festival for trail running. The main event is 100km, with a shorter 50km positioned as a perfect introduction ultrarunning along the second half of the 100km course.
You can also enter the 22km Pace UTA22 race to get a taste for trail running, while the Scenic World UTA951 features 951 stairs within the space of 1.2km and there's even a 1km children’s race.

Skyline Scotland

In 2018, Skyline Scotland is home to the 2018 Skyrunning World Championships, which features a h features 1km race to the summit of Mount Munro followed by 52km and 29km events.
That’s not all, though. For the toughest competitors, the Salomon Glen Coe Skyline packs in what it describes as the “most technically challenging Scottish mountain terrain”, with a full 750m more climbing to do over the Ben Nevis Ultra two days before. You’ll need to be an experienced scrambler for this one, and it forms part of the Skyrunner World Series.

Western States 100

Ryan Sandes running in the Western States 100 with his custom Salomon shoes.

Ryan Sandes in Western States 100

© Corinna Halloran/Red Bull Content Pool

This one runs from Squaw Valley and finishes in Auburn, California, with 161km of mountainous terrain in between.
You’ll encounter the beauty of Emigrant Pass and the Granite Chief Wilderness, and take in a crossing of the Middle Fork American River. The race is open to all, whether you’re looking to finish high up the order, in under 24 hours, or simply complete the course before the time limit is up, because the emphasis of the event is focused on competing with others instead of against them.

Moab Trail Run

The Moab Train Run weekend is made up of four events, the longest of which is the Trail Marathon, which also doubles as the USA Trail Marathon Championship race and qualifying event for the 2018 World Long Distance Trail Championships.
There’s also a half marathon event, events for children, and a 5km race that packs in a cave, a descent of a small cliff, two creek crossings and a giant culvert.

Olympus Marathon

The Olympus Marathon route pays tribute to the ancient Greek trail that pilgrims would follow each year to pay homage to Zeus. And today the 42km event forms part of the elite Skyrunner World Series.
There’s also an Ultra race, a vertical kilometre, and several shorter races designed for those just starting out in trail running. Be prepared for baking temperatures down at the start in Dion, and cool temperatures at altitude on Mount Olympus to count among the obstacles facing competitors.

Limone Extreme Skyrace

Another event on the Skyrunner World Series programme, the Limone Extreme Skyrace is 29km long with 2,500m of climbing to overcome. The event bookends the Skyrunner series in October, so it’s a perfect last hurrah in the northern hemisphere before winter, or can be a tester ahead of a season of racing the following year.
Alongside the Extreme main event are a vertical kilometre and 20km and 10km trail runs which are well-suited to first-timers.

X-Terra Trail Run World Championship

One of the highlights of any trail runner’s career has to be competing at the World Championships. This is where the X-Terra Train Run World Championships comes in, offering a target for all performance-driven trail runners.
The 21km half marathon course makes up the official championship race, while the 10km and 5km trail events and adventure walk ensure that athletes of all abilities are welcome. Its December placing in the calendar makes it a perfect end-of-season celebration as well.
Running
Ultrarunning
Adventure Racing
Athletics
Marathon

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