Trail Running: which types it suits

Trail running swaps tarmac for forest paths, hill tracks and ridgelines. Walking the steep climbs and running the flats and descents is completely normal, so the shape of the route and the view decide your day more than any pace target. Most trail runners carry a small pack with water and snacks, and wear shoes with grippier soles built for uneven ground. Trail races run all over the world, from short loops to all-day mountain courses.

Trail running hooks people who get bored running the same road twice, and who enjoy spreading out a map to pick the next hill. Because you have to watch every rock and root under your feet, many runners say their head goes quiet out there in a way it never does on the street. It suits anyone who finds freedom somewhere between hiking and running, and who would rather remember a view than a split time.