Let’s get this out of the way: runner Jane Maus avoided all shortcuts, cutoffs, and trail bypasses while breaking the speed record on Wyoming’s 13,775-foot Grand Teton on August 22.

When Maus, 30, reached the closed trail two-thirds of the way down the mountain鈥攜es, the same one that got ultrarunner Michelino Sunseri into hot water with the National Park Service鈥攕he ran right past it without thinking twice.

“I looked at it and was just like oh wow, there’s it is!” Maus told 国产吃瓜黑料. “It didn’t even cross my mind to take the shortcut after all of the things that popped up over that situation.”

Maus in 3:45:34. Her time shaved 21 minutes from the previous fastest time, which was set just three days prior by a Canadian runner named Jazmine Lowther. (FKT), the body that scrutinizes record attempts, accepted Maus’ ascent as legitimate, making her the new record holder on the route, which is now called the Grand Teton Modern Route. (Fastest Known Time is owned by 国产吃瓜黑料’s parent company 国产吃瓜黑料 Inc.)

So, what was the allure of chasing the speed record on the peak? Maus pointed to the beauty of the mountain, the camaraderie and competition of chasing the record alongside Lowther, the peak’s relative lack of speed record attempts by women.

And yeah, then there’s the Grand Teton’s recent prominence in the national news cycle. Sunseri’s attempt, which Fastest Known Time rejected due to his shortcut, generated a glut of media attention, and the coverage swelled after the action against him. He embarked on a social media blitz throughout much of 2025, hoping to clear his name, only to be found guilty in September.

The impressive tonnage of news stories, Instagram videos, and Internet hot takes generated more interest than ever in the dusty trail zigzagging up the peak.

“It’s a prominent mountain but hasn’t really been gone after as a popular FKT,” Maus said. “And then Michelino gave it all of that press.”

A Decision to Go for Speed

If you don’t recognize the name Jane Maus, you’re not alone鈥�2025 marks her first season as a sponsored professional athlete. She hails from Salt Lake City but lives in Boulder, Colorado, where she trains and also works as a dietician.

Maus excels at races and personal challenges that require lots of running uphill. In October 2024, she set a new speed record for Colorado’s , a grueling 26.5-mile circuit in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. She also dabbles in rock climbing, and spends many afternoons scrambling along Boulder’s Flatirons.

“My coach told me I could be good at the Grand Teton FKT because it suits my combination of running and climbing,” she said. “I’d done some other objectives that were comparable and it boosted my confidence. Yeah, I can be OK in this terrain.”

Earlier in 2025 Maus learned that Lowther was also targeting the Grand Teton speed record, and the two met at California’s Broken Arrow Skyrace to talk about their ascents.

“If I was the only one going for it, it wouldn’t mean as much,” Maus said. “But since there was another woman doing it, it made it fun because we’d be competing against each other.”

The history of speed records on the Grand Teton for both men and women is rife with unofficial attempts, or attempts that record keepers have discredited by flagging. That’s because runners have frequently taken shortcuts and deviations that cut the swooping switchbacks near the peak’s base.

The best women’s unsupported time, set by Jen Day Denton in 2022, was listed at 4:15:27. Swede Emelie Forsberg completed the route in 3:51 in 2012 while being paced by her partner, ultrarunning star Killian Jornet, who made his own solo attempt in 2012. FKT flagged all three ascents, since Denton, Forsberg, and Jornet all took shortcuts from the main trail.

Fastest Known Time recently retired the records page for the route, called Grand Teton (Historic-inactive), and replaced it with the Grand Teton (Modern) route, which requires athletes to complete the four switchbacks near the peak’s base. On its website, FKT explains the change: The Jenny Lake Rangers now prefer that runners stick to designated and maintained trails (where available), which aligns with this Modern Route. FastestKnownTime indicated it will not accept future submissions using the Historical Route, though it remains an integral part of the mountain鈥檚 history and lore.

The men’s record for both routes continues to be held by Andy Anderson, whose in 2012 completed the route in 2:53:02 while doing all of the switchbacks.

“It seemed like no matter what time one of us ran, that would be the FKT because it hadn’t been chased before,” Maus said.

Scouting the Sketchy Route

Prior to her attempt, Maus studied the Grand Teton route online and watched videos of climbers completing the technical sections at the top. She also received advice from Sunseri.

“He told me I needed to find my line after the trail peters out at the top,” Maus said. “He told me I needed to save some energy for the climb past the meadows.”

Maus arrived in Jackson on August 1 and made her first reconnaissance ascent of the peak the next day. She jogged and hiked the peak alongside a friend, taking her time on the tricky and treacherous rocky sections just below the summit. After descending, she stopped her clock at the trailhead. It read just over 7 hours.

“I was pretty defeated,” she said. “I was exhausted and I thought: I have to cut three hours off of what I just did.”

A week later, she returned, this time running the entire route with several friends. She didn’t push her body to its limit and completed the journey in 5 hours, 30 minutes. On the rocky, exposed terrain, she could feel herself tensing up and slowing down.

“I got really spooked,” she said. “There was way more rock climbing than I remembered from the first ascent.”

For her next two ascents, Maus went solo, pushing the pace on the running sections and then moving quickly across the rock. Her third attempt ended up at 4 hours 30 minutes, and her fourth was 4 hours 27 minutes.

And then, just three days before she was set for her fifth ascent, Lowther made her rapid ascent. Earlier in August, Lowther had completed the ascent in 3:51:12, but she did the top section of the peak alongside Sunseri, who is her partner. Fastest Known Time listed the time as the fastest “supported” effort.

On August 19, Lowther completed the trip solo in 4 hours 6 minutes 58 seconds. She sped across all of the switchbacks, following the new agreed-upon route.

“Our main goal was to stick on the modern route and stick to the designated trail where possible and to set the standard for the future,鈥� The Jackson Hole News & Guide.听

Maus saw Lowther’s time, and her jaw dropped.

“I was like, I ran pretty hard and did 4:27, and now I have to shave off 21 minutes?” she said. “I gave up.”

Fifth Time鈥檚 a Charm

Everything seemed to go right for Maus on her fifth attempt. Her partner dropped her off at the trailhead just before 8 A.M., and she started up the trail a short time later. After completing the lower portion of the peak, Maus realized that she was far ahead of her previous times. The upper portions of the peak were busy with climbers, she said, but the groups allowed her to pass.

“People were cheering me on,” she said. “I was moving a lot quicker than I had the previous times.”

But the top was still sketchy鈥攊ce had formed on some of the exposed rock. Maus took her time descending the Belly Roll, Sergeant’s Chimney, and other sheer sections.

“I was still cautious,” Maus said. “If I would have gone as fast as I could have on that part it would have been too risky.”

But Maus increased her speed once the technical rock gave way to trail. She motored down the trail, past the shortcut, through the switchbacks and back to Lupine Meadows. When she glanced at her watch, even she was surprised.

“I didn’t tell very many people I was going for this,” she said. “When I did it, I realized I should have told more. I kind of wanted it to be my own thing.”

Maus has now completed the Grand Teton five times, and she owns the speed record. I asked her what she thought of the shortcut, Sunseri’s trial, and the national intrigue around the peak.

“Because everyone before had cut the switchbacks, and it’s the way he did it, I don’t blame Michelino. I think he has the FKT,” she said. “But moving forward, we don’t cut the switchbacks.”

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Since entering the running apparel scene in 2014, Tracksmith鈥檚 aesthetic has exuded clean-cut, preppy, East-Coast vibes. Think fast track runners who put on cardigans once they鈥檙e showered at their private New England school. Yet now Tracksmith is charging into a new, dirtier, grungier realm: Trail running.

The brand has made individual pieces of trail running apparel in the past, but as of this week it’s going all-in with the . Anchored by a new trail running shoe, the line includes a long- and short-sleeve tee, shorts for men and half tights for women, a jacket, hydration vest, and a hat (the only item in the collection under $100).

Since I鈥檓 a dirty, grungy trail runner (and proud of it), I happily stepped into just about every item from the new kit, head-to-toe, for a 7-mile mountain run in the Indian Peaks above Boulder, Colorado.

Here鈥檚 how each item fared as the run unfolded.

The post I Mountain-Tested Tracksmith鈥檚 New Trail Running Shoe and Apparel. Here鈥檚 How It Fared. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Dusk is crowding the narrow trail that my brother and I are navigating, and by the time we hit a dirt road that will eventually lead us to our beds for the night, it is pitch听black. I’m running down a mild hill just behind him when he’s suddenly splayed awkwardly on the ground in front of me, a slew of curse words issuing from his mouth.

Before my brother’s fall, we were 30 miiles听and six mountain passes into our second day on the Walker鈥檚 Haute Route鈥攁 124-mile trail that stretches from Chamonix to Zermatt, and we鈥檝e gained and lost almost 10,000 feet of elevation since we began running the trail. The route is stunning, packed with glaciers, cerulean lakes, and towering peaks. Despite its beauty, the route is technically demanding, and as I look at my brother picking himself off the gravel, I wonder: Why is this how I chose to spend my vacation?

A few months after this trip, I鈥檓 running along a stretch of creamy singletrack in southern听Utah. As I round a bend on the Fairyland Loop in Bryce Canyon National Park, I鈥檓 so taken aback by the beauty the crimson-colored hoodoos unfurling before me that that I catch my toe on a lone rock embedded in the trail and go down hard, landing squarely on my elbow and thigh.

As scarlet blood streams from the gash in my elbow and bruises begin to bloom spectacularly across my leg, my ego finds a small consolation: the blissful solitude of this trail. Far from the crowded lookouts that dominate the park, there鈥檚 fortunately no one here to witness my fall.

Over the past few years, I鈥檝e taken many trips that revolved entirely around trail running. I鈥檝e capered through the Rockies near my home in Calgary, Alberta (a gateway to Banff National Park’s world-class trails), and breathlessly struggled to tackle volcano routes in Ecuador. Ask me how I feel about these running vacations (injuries, frustrations, and all) and I will tell you that they were some of the most thrilling鈥攁nd humbling鈥攖rips I鈥檝e ever taken.

Running Vacations Are More Than Racking Up Mileage

Running vacations are a rapidly growing travel trend, reflected in the sharp rise of companies now offering guided running tours worldwide.听According to one running group’s 2024 activity report, 鈥渢he run club is the new night club,鈥� with global run club participation rising by 59 percent听last year. also highlights this fitness movement in the travel sphere, noting a 50 percent increase in searches for “workout holidays” over the past year.

Elinor Fish, however, has been ahead of the curve for years. A lifelong runner and former editor at Trail Runner magazine, she founded , which offers women-only running and wellness tours, in 2010, long before the travel trend took off. The first trip Fish (the former CEO of the company) organized began as a small Colorado getaway that grew into a global movement built around something deeper than just mileage.

After joining a guided running trip with Andes 国产吃瓜黑料s in Patagonia in 2007鈥攚ith one of the few companies offering guided running vacations at the time鈥擣ish realized what makes these experiences powerful: shared trails, shared values, and a sense of purpose beyond the workout, especially with a local guide.

鈥淲hen you鈥檙e traveling in a foreign country and you鈥檙e spending every day running on a trail together, it really helps build connections quickly,鈥� she says. 鈥淎ll of a sudden, the running becomes a vehicle for having enriching cultural experiences that are completely outside the norm.”

Fish describes a running vacation as a transformational experience: “It can actually change you. It helps give the whole experience more meaning.鈥� Her perspective reflects a broader movement in travel today, where, as Accor’s report also notes, travelers increasingly are choosing travel for fitness, versus something to fit in before a day of exploring.

Liz Gill, a running coach and owner of saw firsthand how the with more people turning to the trails and roads as a way to stay active and grounded. Like Fish, Gill believes her guided trips are about more than just miles: they鈥檙e about community, discovery, and finding balance between challenge and enjoyment.

James Madden, area manager for at the CMH Bugaboo Lodge and an ACMG and IFMGA-certified mountain guide, agrees that people are increasingly seeking active adventures with like-minded individuals in a supportive setting. While many guests arrive at their feeling nervous, Madden says there鈥檚 a common misconception about what a running vacation actually involves.

鈥淭he misnomer is that we go out and we run as hard as we can for hours. [In reality,] we go out, we run, we jog, we swim, we laugh, we take photos,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really just about being in the mountains all day.鈥�

With point-to-point helicopter support, on-the-ground coaching, and two guides per group, anyone with a basic level of running fitness can take part in CMH’s trips. But of course, signing up is one thing; prepping your body for long days on the trail is another.

How to Prepare for a Running Vacation听

As running vacations continue to grow in popularity and transform how people experience travel, knowing how to prepare your body and mind for the unique demands of these adventures becomes essential. Here鈥檚 how to set yourself up for success on your next run-cation.

1. Know Your Fitness Limits

If this is your first running vacation, your first time running trails,听or your first time running for multiple days in a row, take that into account when booking a tour or mapping out a self-supported adventure. Despite being an experienced trail runner, I overestimated my limits on Switzerland鈥檚 Walker鈥檚 Haute Route, attempting it in four days instead of the five I actually needed. By day three, exhaustion forced me to skip a scenic section and rely on the gondola, bus, and train to reach my bed.

2. Book a Guided Tour

Even if you are fortunate enough to have a running community or a group of friends who all enjoy running, a guided tour is the best option when planning a run-cation. Not only will the trip feel more like a vacation when you don鈥檛 have to plan any of the logistics, but you will also have guided support and coaching to help you understand your limits on a trip of this nature.

3. Have a Training Plan/Post-Recovery Plan in Place

Madden says that to join a CMH running trip, participants should be able to easily run six miles or more at least three days a week. Runcation Travel provides training plans for each trip, and Gill also recommends getting out on a trail if you mainly run on the road, or incorporating hill training on the road, or incline training on a Stairmaster or treadmill if you do not have access to trails. While strength workouts are optional, training exercises like single-leg glute bridges, deadlifts, or single-leg squats can help someone ease into trail running or adapt to the consecutive demands of a multi-day trip.

Physiotherapist and avid runner Charlie Clarry says that while being physically prepared is key, try to avoid the trap of overtraining. 鈥淚t鈥檚 better to be under-cooked than over-cooked,鈥� he states. 鈥淭apering is a long-practiced element of a training plan to reduce accumulated fatigue during training.鈥�

4. Learn to Fuel Properly听

Gill emphasizes that one of the key preparations for a running vacation is training your body to eat and drink while on the move, since these runs are far more demanding than a casual morning jog you can do on an empty stomach. Ensuring that you are fueling every hour on your training runs is the best way to tackle this.

5. Remember, It Is Not a Race

Enjoy the experience! While you may be moving faster than on a hiking or walking holiday, that doesn鈥檛 mean you need to push yourself to the point of exhaustion. Take in the views, savor the pastry, snap the photos, and relax with a beer. You鈥檙e here to have fun, too.

Top Places for Runcations

Now that you know how to prepare for a running vacation, let鈥檚 dive into some of the top destinations around the world where you can hit the trails and make the most of your run-cation.

Southwest: Utah and Arizona

Utah鈥檚 national parks are iconic, but the lesser-known Kolob Arch trail in Zion offers a quieter, stunning alternative, featuring one of the world鈥檚 largest natural arches. Bryce Canyon鈥檚 Fairyland Loop presents a fairy-tale landscape of biscuity hoodoos. Moab, praised as 鈥減henomenal and uniquely beautiful鈥� by Fish, is a hub for trail lovers, with guided retreats like the from Run Wild Retreats.

Arizona鈥檚 Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim trail tests runners with a punishing 6,000-foot descent into a geological wonder that spans millions of years.

When to Go: Spring and Fall for best weather
Trails to Try: Kolob Arch Trail, Fairyland Loop, Moab鈥檚 extensive desert trails and Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim.

Southeast: Asheville, North Carolina

Known for its scenic charm and vibrant running community, Asheville is a prime destination for trail runners. Cruise scenic routes and enjoy a self-guided trail run-cation with accommodations like that cater to runners seeking a blend of comfort and adventure.

When to Go: Year-round
Trails to Try: The extensive network of forest trails around Asheville offers varied terrain and beautiful vistas for all skill levels.

Mountain West: Montana and Colorado

For those craving wild backcountry, Montana鈥檚 vast wilderness awaits with guided adventures from . Colorado鈥檚 rugged ridgelines and trail systems make it a must-visit. Boulder, often called America鈥檚 best running town, offers an extensive trail network that blends urban access with mountain terrain.

When to Go: June to September
Trails to Try: Boulder鈥檚 extensive trails are perfect for everything from short runs to long mountain outings. Head to Glacier National Park in Montana to experience the iconic Highline Trail, or take on a more challenging and secluded adventure with the Beaten Path Trail in the Beartooth Mountains.听This remote route offers solitude and rugged terrain.

West Coast: California

California鈥檚 Sierra Nevada mountain range offers breathtaking trails for every runner. A with Runcation Travel provides an unforgettable experience amidst granite peaks and alpine lakes.

When to Go: Late spring to early fall
Trails to Try: Yosemite鈥檚 backcountry trails, Mammoth Lakes circuit, and nearby high-altitude routes.

Alberta, Canada

Oh, Alberta! The trail running season is short but spectacular. Alberta鈥檚 national and provincial parks offer rugged alpine terrain, glacier-fed lakes, and jaw-dropping views perfect for adventurous runners. Just be ready for roots, rocks, and minimal amenities.

When to Go: June to October

Trails to Try: The Skyline Trail in Jasper National Park delivers big mountain views above the treeline, while Northover Ridge in Kananaskis Country offers a wild, high-elevation route with stunning scenery and solitude. For a guided Kananaskis adventure, offers a three-summit tour that showcases the best of the region.

Iceland

For those seeking spectacular landscapes, there鈥檚 no better place to run than Iceland. The trail running season kicks off in early May with a , and really, does it get any better than combining a 12.5-mile run with sightings of these charming birds? The course curves around the islands of Vestmannaeyjar, located a 35-40-minute ferry ride from Landeyjah枚fn.

When to Go: May to October

Trails to Try: The crown jewel of trail running in Iceland is the Laugavegurinn, and with good reason. The marathon held along this 33-mile route is wildly popular, thanks to its dramatic transition from otherworldly volcanic terrain to verdant valleys and moss-covered mountains. You can tackle it in a single, challenging day or extend the adventure by linking on the 16-mile Fimmv枚r冒uh谩ls Trail for a multi-day guided run with . This addition takes runners past dozens of cascading waterfalls and finishes at the iconic Sk贸gafoss. Other scenic running routes worth exploring include the trails near V铆k 铆 M媒rdal and .

The Alps听

While each of these countries is a remarkable trail running destination, two multi-day fast-packing routes stand out: the and the . Both begin in Chamonix, France, but diverge from there as the Haute Route leads runners across Switzerland to Zermatt, while the TMB loops through Italy before returning to France. The alpine views along both routes are truly unparalleled. Expect rugged, chossy trails over high mountain passes, wide winding paths alongside aquamarine lakes, and plenty of homemade pastries at the many rifugios you鈥檒l pass (often under the curious gaze of the intrepid Alpine ibex).

When to Go: Late June to September

Trails to Try: Short on time to tackle the longer routes? Head to the Pyrenees, an up-and-coming trail running destination still flying under the radar, on a guided journey with . Run comfortably from hut to hut in Italy along the , surrounded by the dramatic peaks of the Dolomites. In Switzerland, the moderately challenging Kl枚ntalersee Trail rewards runners with sweeping lake views framed by alpine passes, with the bonus of a refreshing mid-run swim.

The Balkans

While the Accursed Mountains may not have the most inviting name, the Balkans offer a true sanctuary where solitude is not only sought but found on these under-trodden trails. Cross mountain passes framed by pearly peaks, wind through wildflower-filled meadows, and traverse international borders, all with nothing more than your own two feet.

When to Go: June to September

Trails to Try: The eponymous Peaks of the Balkans is a must for trail runners and can be tackled via guided tour with . Winding through Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo, this nearly 120-mile route can be fast-packed with overnights in cozy mountain lodges tucked away in picturesque villages or broken into day or overnight trips from various access points across the three countries.

Southern Patagonia

One of most popular trips in 2025 ventured into the heart of Southern Patagonia, where some of the world鈥檚 most awe-inspiring (and unpredictable) terrain and weather await. Base yourself in El Chalt茅n, Argentina, or Puerto Natales, Chile, to experience the raw beauty of the Andes, with iconic peaks like Mount Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, and Torres del Paine appearing dramatically along the way.

When to Go: October to April

Trails to Try: For a multi-day fastpacking adventure, consider tackling the O Circuit, which loops around the Paine Massif in Chile鈥檚 Torres del Paine National Park. This nearly 74-mile route includes the iconic (and justifiably popular) , but also ventures into the park鈥檚 quieter backcountry, offering a more solitary taste of Patagonia鈥檚 rugged beauty. Or, for a more unique experience, check out Patagonia鈥檚 Lake District on a guided tour with .

If you’re heading to the Argentinian side, base yourself in El Chalt茅n (guided options are available with ) for what feels like an all-access running pass to the most stunning parts of Los Glaciares National Park. As the name suggests, glaciers abound. Run a loop around Lagunas Capri, Madre, and Hija, and soak in sweeping views of Monte Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre from the network of trails that weave through the region.

Ecuador

Another up-and-coming trail running destination, Quito鈥攁 UNESCO World Heritage Site鈥攈osted its first UTMB qualifying event in the summer of 2025. With trails that traverse both the jungle and the Andes Mountains, runners are never short on variety.

When to Go: April to November

Trails to Try: Just a short drive from Quito鈥檚 historic center, Rucu Pichincha (rucu meaning 鈥渙ld man鈥� in Kichwa) is the perfect day trip for trail runners and an accessible opportunity to summit one of Ecuador鈥檚 iconic volcanoes without technical mountaineering skills. Alternatively, get your volcano fix by running into the inhabited caldera of Pululahua, one of only two inhabited calderas in the world.

A popular multi-day trek, just shy of 22 miles, the Quilotoa Loop is another excellent option for trail runners exploring the region. The highlight of the route is the stunning aquamarine waters of Quilotoa Crater Lake. For a curated trip, and arrange trail running tours in Ecuador.

Jennifer Malloy is a freelance writer and passionate trail runner. Her recent work highlights the best trails and adventure towns near her home in Calgary, Alberta. This summer, she鈥檚 aiming to rack up as many miles as possible exploring the Canadian Rockies.

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I was out on the trail with my dog, Bailey, letting my mind turn off and wander, when I saw another dog and its owner we didn鈥檛 know coming towards us. I had Bailey off-leash, and as a courtesy, I started fumbling to get her leash on her before our encounter. Before I could get Bailey clipped in, I looked up and saw the other dog owner reach down to the harness on his dog, and somehow magically produce a leash.

鈥淚 need one of those!鈥� I said as we approached each other.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a game changer,鈥� he said. He showed me how the leash retracted into the harness, so his dog was carrying it, making it available at all times. I got the name of the leash company, FreeRun, and ordered one for $70 when I got home.

I鈥檓 lucky to live in a part of Vermont where there are plenty of trails that allow me to run with my dog off-leash. But even in places where running free is permitted, I carry a leash with me to steer Bailey away from yucky things she shouldn鈥檛 be getting into, navigate around people or other dogs who might not want to interact, and get her to the car worry-free at busy trailhead parking lots. And I find carrying a leash鈥攊n addition to my car keys and my phone鈥攁lways cumbersome.

Yes, dealing with a leash while trail-running is a first-world problem, but it鈥檚 still a pain. And, as a working mom of two toddlers, I鈥檓 always juggling, so I’m thrilled to find anything that makes my life just a bit simpler and easier.

California-based dog trainer Mary van Kriedt came up with the idea for the FreeRun leash. Van Kreidt says she forgot a leash while hiking with her dog and got creative by attaching a loop to the harness using her shoelace. The easy availability of the shoelace leash inspired her to create a more durable, retractable version.

The FreeRun leash is everything I鈥檇 hoped it would be on the first day I saw it. Using the four sets of buckles, I can clip Bailey into the harness without having to slide it over her head or ask her to step into it. The leash housing is stainless steel on the inside, plastic on the outside, and equipped with drainage holes, so it鈥檚 durable, lightweight, and can be worn in water without getting funky.

Fully extended, the leash is three feet long. While that is shorter than a standard leash, we鈥檝e found it to be plenty long for the short stretches when we need it on the trails. Bailey and I don鈥檛 run at night, but there are reflective bands on the harness for extra safety if you find yourself out in the evenings.

It鈥檚 been easy to use. When I need to corral her, I call Bailey to me and grab the handle. The leash extends automatically to its full length and we get beyond whatever situation we need to. Then I let go of the leash, and it retracts back into the harness. The design works well: I鈥檝e never had an issue with it getting jammed and the handle returns flush to the leash housing unit, so there isn鈥檛 any extra leash material flapping around.

Bailey has stress-tested the leash rigorously for several months, and it鈥檚 stood up well to all of her running, hiking, rolling, and swimming. The leash, which is made of a tight-knit polyester webbing similar to a seatbelt, doesn鈥檛 feel like it鈥檚 at risk of breaking. A stainless steel pin locks the leash in place, adding stability. In FreeRun鈥檚 own testing, they found it withstood 200 pounds of torque. I feel confident the harness will last us many more trail runs, and FreeRun has a lifetime warranty, should it ever fail.

It鈥檚 available in two sizes: The small/medium is for dogs weighing 15-35 pounds, and the medium/large is for dogs weighing 35-80 pounds. Bailey weighs 38 pounds and has a barrel-shaped chest, so I went with the medium/large. I鈥檝e set it about as tight as it can be and trimmed the straps to get the right fit for her. It works perfectly well, but I probably should鈥檝e gone with the smaller size.

Bailey and I now often find ourselves on the receiving end of comments like mine on the day I first saw the FreeRun leash. Dog owners will pause to watch our leash work and exclaim, 鈥淚 need one of those!鈥�

And they鈥檙e right; they do.

(Note: I searched for other retractible leashes and found options that looked similar to the FreeRun leash. But the reviews made me worried about quality. I saw enough comments about the leash snapping off the harness that I decided to go with the FreeRun, which looked like it could withstand the force of Bailey pulling on it鈥攁nd it has. I have not, however, tested any other brands with similar leash mechanisms.)听

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In March 2023, on a trail run in the mountains near Tucson, Arizona, I caught my toe on a rock. I was descending a steep and technical section of trail a little more quickly than I鈥檇 normally go. I had a plane to catch. I鈥檓 not sure how long I was airborne鈥攎aybe a second or so鈥攂ut it felt like a long time. The aftermath was bad鈥攍ost front teeth, deep facial wounds that eventually required plastic surgery鈥攂ut could have been much, much worse.

Running injuries are distressingly common, afflicting somewhere between 20 and 80 percent of runners, according to one oft-cited pseudo-stat. But it鈥檚 mostly sore knees and inflamed tendons and the like: nuisances, but not existential threats. Trail running is different, though. The nature of trails, and the sometimes remote environments they traverse, mean that things can go seriously wrong. At the 国产吃瓜黑料 Festival last month, I conducted an on-stage interview with Hillary Allen, whose book Out and Back tells the story of her 150-foot fall off a ridge during a mountain race in Norway. Her injuries were a lot worse than mine, but she too has made a successful comeback. Not everyone does.

A new takes a comprehensive look at the worst-case scenarios in trail running, with the goal of figuring out what the biggest risks are and how runners and race organizers can mitigate them. Researchers at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, along with colleagues in Portugal and France, combed through online news records for fatal or catastrophic events that occurred while trail running. They identified 127 cases, almost all within the last 15 years, of which 104 were fatal.

The key data from the study is shown in the figure below, which divides fatal incidents into the most common categories:

Cold and Hypothermia

By far the most common cause of death among trail runners is cold weather and hypothermia. This isn鈥檛 surprising, especially given that trail runners often run in the mountains, where weather can shift rapidly.

It鈥檚 tempting to pack as lightly as possible when you鈥檙e running, skimping on warm-weather gear, especially if the weather looks nice. After all, running itself will keep you warm. But what happens if, say, you twist an ankle? Or get lost? Or the weather takes a dramatic turn for the worse? Then you鈥檙e sweaty, tired, and inadequately dressed. Under such conditions, it鈥檚 possible to become hypothermic even in relatively moderate above-freezing conditions, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as 鈥�.鈥� Back in the 1990s, four U.S. Army Rangers died from hypothermia during training exercises in Florida, of all places.

The solution here is obvious but easy to ignore or rationalize away: bring enough warm clothing. Many trail races have rules that specify minimum clothing requirements; it makes sense to take similar precautions on training runs. In the new dataset, 64 percent of the deaths took place during organized trail-running races, with the rest taking place during recreational or training runs. Both scenarios are potentially risky. (In contrast, when runners go missing, it鈥檚 almost always during recreational or training runs rather than races.)

Falls

The second-most-common cause of trail-running deaths is blunt trauma after falls. This is once again a trail-specific hazard, and some trails are more rugged and/or more exposed than others. I鈥檓 not really sure what to say about this, because 鈥渂e careful鈥� seems like empty advice. People run trails in part to get away from smoothly manicured roads and sidewalks; the gnarliness of the terrain is intrinsic to what they鈥檙e seeking. In doing so, they鈥檙e accepting some risk. What鈥檚 the 鈥渞ight鈥� level of risk? I don鈥檛 know, but in the wake of my Tucson fall, I鈥檝e become a lot more cautious in situations where the consequences of an error are likely catastrophic.

Cardiac Arrest

Third on the chart is cardiac arrest, which is a general risk of exercise (or in fact of living) rather than a specific trail risk. In most cases, such deaths during exercise reflect either underlying heart disease or a genetic heart abnormality. The researchers suggest cardiac screening as a way of uncovering these problems in advance. Whether such screening is worthwhile, much less cost-effective, has been a topic of among cardiologists. Suffice to say that if you have any doubts about your heart health, you should consult your doctor before venturing into the mountains.

Less Common Causes

The rest of the causes of death are relatively uncommon. Murder and vehicle accidents are sad but could occur anywhere. Animal attacks, lightning strikes, and drownings are probably a bit more common on backcountry trails or in the mountains than in city streets, but the numbers suggest these are very unusual. If you鈥檙e in grizzly country, pack bear spray and run in a group; if you鈥檙e in a thunderstorm, don鈥檛 cross exposed ridges; think twice before wading through rivers with strong current. This is all good advice under any circumstances.

The danger in writing about trail-running deaths is that it makes trail-running sound dangerous, in the same way that TV news reports on abducted kids in the 1980s convinced a generation of parents that suburban streets were infested with kidnappers. Given the numbers鈥攖he researchers cite data suggesting that 1.7 million people entered trail races between 2013 and 2019, with participation growing by about 12 percent annually鈥攖rail running is eminently safe. Still, the data suggests a couple of easy takeaways: pack a jacket, and watch your toes.

For more Sweat Science, join me on and , sign up for the , and check out my new book .

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Trail running allows us to lose ourselves in the environment while we sweat out the day鈥檚 worries or share joyful miles with friends. The best trail running shoes take us where we want to go with confidence and comfort. Our team is constantly researching, testing, and comparing new trail running shoe releases with the tried-and-true favorites. Our fleet of testers hit the dirt on rutty Santa Barbara bluffs, rocky Colorado peaks, sage-strewn Nebraska sandhills, soggy Virginia forest pathways, and more diverse terrains. After miles and miles (and miles) of trails, these are the trail shoes that have risen to the top.

Update October 2025: We鈥檝e updated our 鈥淏est Trail Running Shoes All-Around鈥� pick with the slightly modified Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide 1.5 and chosen new winners for 鈥淏est for Speedy Scrambles鈥� and for 鈥淏est for Groomed Trails/Gravel.鈥� We also added a 鈥淏est Run/Hike Shoe鈥� category. We are continually testing and will be updating this list of best trail running shoes throughout the year as new models impress our testers and editors.

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The best hydration vests for running become part of your body. They distribute weight evenly across your chest and upper back, fit closely to your torso, and move minimally as you run over hill and dale. They carry liquids in soft flasks or bladders, and supplies like fuel, lip balm, phones, and layers in well-thought-out pockets that are easy to access on the go. Some are big, some are small鈥攁ll have just the right amount of room for the day鈥檚 run, whether an ambitious mountain peak or a neighborhood road loop.

After months of testing, these hydration packs stood out for their comfort and performance in their respective categories.

Updated September 2025: We replaced winners in two categories, awarded a new runner-up, and created three new categories. Four of our 11 picks are from Salomon, all of which tested extremely well among a range of testers.

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Forget roses. I don鈥檛 need chocolate. And the last thing I want to do for Valentine鈥檚 Day is go out to an overpriced prix fixe dinner. What I want for Valentine鈥檚 Day, and what I think is the most valuable gift from one partner to another, is to spend quality time together in the great outdoors. Time outside together is my love language.

My husband, Mark, and I have been married for 21 years. We started dating when he worked at Rock & Ice Magazine and I worked at Trail Runner Magazine. (It鈥檚 a very Boulder, Colorado love story.) We spent those early days trail running and climbing together. One of our first dates was a three-pitch climb on a very exposed face on Independence Pass鈥攊n the rain. He had overestimated both my climbing ability and my comfort level with exposure. I cried. He calmed me. He鈥檇 been a climbing guide and knew how to talk me off a ledge, literally and figuratively.

While we were dating, I occasionally dragged him into adventure races when my team and I needed another teammate. We still joke about the 24-hour race in California where his knee was bothering him about 22 hours in and we were reduced to a walk. I said something caring and comforting like, 鈥淵our knee is already hurt. We might as well run.鈥� We did. He recovered.

We鈥檝e since had two kids, and juggled jobs, finances, friends, and household chores. We often tag-team who goes to our sons鈥� soccer games on weekends while the other does their outdoor sport with friends, alone, or with the dog. Our relationship tends to collect dust, as does a lot of the outdoor gear that we鈥檝e amassed over the years.

We鈥檝e all heard about the numerous studies that prove spending time in nature,, and can even. And there鈥檚 a good reason why more therapists are adopting, either working with clients through dance or, especially here in Boulder, going for hikes. The mind-body connection can鈥檛 be ignored, and there is something to be said for opening up to someone and connecting while you鈥檙e not face to face鈥攃onsider why running partners become so close; why kids often share more openly with their parents while in the car; and why two stubborn people who have been married 21 years actually talk more when outside doing an activity together.

A few recent studies have taken a look at how. But I don鈥檛 need a study to tell me that spending quality time outdoors together is good for my relationship with my husband. (That said, if I need to use science as an argument to get him out the door with me, so be it.)

One of my favorite ways to celebrate any event in the 23 years we鈥檝e been together is to spend time on the trail. Right around our fifteenth anniversary, I was invited to a 鈥渃ouple鈥檚-oriented鈥� travel-writers鈥� trip on the island of Kauai. (The perks of the job are sometimes very good.) My husband and I听 were treated to fancy dinners and stayed in nice places. But we connected the most鈥攁nd I knew this would happen鈥攚hen just the two of us hiked the on the Na Pali Coast. It didn鈥檛 hurt that the views were spectacular and swimming underneath a waterfall was otherworldly. But it was the walking and talking I liked the most鈥攕omething we can attain anywhere, anytime if we just make the effort.

So, instead of spending money on clich茅d Valentine鈥檚 gifts like flowers, chocolate, or jewelry鈥攐r even buying each other adventure-enabling gear that we鈥檇 likely use separately鈥攁ll I want to do is dust off the gear we already have and head outside, together. It鈥檚 the time, and the space, that is most valuable.

We may go on a hike with the dog. We may get creative, put on headlamps, and go for a night hike. Or we may grab our skinny skis and the dog and glide through a snow-covered open space to a lake. That may sound romantic, but it鈥檚 more than romance I鈥檓 after. It鈥檚 the connection. And connection is everything.

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You may have heard about the diabolical running format called , in which competitors must for days on end. One by one, runners drop out until only one remains, and he or she is crowned champion. On October 19, the world’s best backyard ultrarunners听met in Bell Buckle, Tennessee for the annual Big Dog’s Backyard Ultra, which this year hosted the team world championships for the format (on even years the race serves as the individual world championships).

Scott Snell recorded the top distance this year, completing 366 miles in 88 hours. But the star of the event was Megan Eckert, who finished in second place. Her distance鈥�362 miles during 87 hours鈥攂roke the previous women’s record by a whopping 51 miles (and 13 hours).

Eckert, 38, is one of the world’s top ultrarunners. She also teaches special education and coaches high school cross-country in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 国产吃瓜黑料 caught up with Eckert to learn what it’s like to run for nearly four days without stopping for more than a few minutes between laps.

OUTSIDE: What attracted you to the backyard ultra format?
My first backyard ultra was actually in January, 2024, at the Saguaro Showdown in Mesa, Arizona. I had just completed a race in Houston where I ran 218 miles, and a friend suggested I try the Backyard Ultra format. I loved the open-ended nature of the event. You line up in the starting corral once every hour and go out and run this 4.167-mile loop, but how many times you’re doing to do that loop, nobody knows.

I love having a chance to see how far my body can go. I know that I’m going to face challenges out there. I know I’ll maybe get 5 minutes of rest every hour, if I’m lucky. I know I’m going to have to troubleshoot so many things during the race鈥攈ow much to eat, and drink, and rest. But otherwise everything else is unknown. I love the appeal of a race in which you have no idea when it’s going to end.

How do you keep your mind engaged while running for nearly four days?
I try to focus on the lap I’m in and not the ones that are coming up. During the night at Big’s I’d listen to music, and during the daytime I’d try and chat with other runners. I love to talk to people out there. In fact, at one point a few other runners told me that they wanted to run in silence. I was like “Oh, OK, sorry.” I find conversations with other runners to be really helpful to staying engaged.

Another thing I’d do out there鈥擨’d sing a song while I was running. But I’d often just sing every other word. I kept passing one guy when I was singing.听I was like “Oh, I’m so sorry! I have such a terrible singing voice and you’re just hearing every other word.” He was amused. But sometimes it gets really quiet out there and it helps to talk or sing to yourself. Another thing I did was dance when I hit the road sections. Dancing helped keep me awake.

Do you think backyard ultra races have the potential to attract casual competitive runners?
Absolutely, because you can pick your distance you’re aiming for before going in. Maybe you want to do your first 100-mile run and finish in under 24 hours. Maybe you just want to see if you can run through the night. Maybe your goal is 50 miles. You can map that out really easily at a Backyard Ultra because of the 4.167-mile lap distance.

A Backyard Ultra teaches you good pacing, because you don’t need to run as fast as you can. If you finish the lap in 40 minutes or 55 minutes, you still head back out after an hour. Also, you always come back to the same place after each lap, so you can fuel and hydrate properly . I see it as a welcoming format for a large swath of runners who are looking to push themselves to that ultramarathon distance.

I’m curious if the backyard ultra format has taught you lessons that you can apply to your everyday life?
I’ve noticed that when I come off of one I seem to have a lot more patience for things in my life. This lasts for weeks afterward. You realize you don’t have to always move so quickly during one of these races. After all, you’re just doing one thing, and you’re doing it for a long time. So yes, it teaches you about perseverance and patience. You become more kind. You become a better listener. Life slows down after one of these races, and you often feel like you’re living in a slow-motion situation.

What wisdom from your life as a professional runner do you try and pass on to the high school runners you coach?
I want the athletes to have fun and I want running to become a passion for them. Results are fine, of course, but you need to enjoy what you’re doing first. Yes, I teach them that they will sometimes have to push through pain, but I want them to enjoy the process of training, preparation for a race, and the lifestyle. And the other big thing is teaching them confidence. I ask my athletes to set goals before meets, and to talk about them with me. We create a plan for them to reach those goals by breaking things into smaller steps. Confidence can come from goal setting.

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First, a confession: I don鈥檛 usually like wearing sunglasses while running. And I run a lot. I test and review sunglasses for 国产吃瓜黑料, but most sunglasses kind of suck for running. They fog when you get sweaty, or they jostle around, or they鈥檙e too heavy and overbuilt. Many lenses鈥攅ven the ones billed as transition lenses鈥攁re too dark for trail running through dimly-lit forests or on early-morning missions with fickle light (which is when I tend to get my miles in).

So, for years now, I鈥檝e run without eye protection. But on longer runs or mid-day outings in bright sun, I鈥檝e started to notice serious eye fatigue. My legs are holding up fine at mile 20, but my eyes are cooked, which makes seeing trippable hazards in the trail even harder. All of which led me on an exhaustive hunt to find the perfect running sunglasses. I tested a whopping 51 pairs of sunglasses over the last nine months (perk of the job!) and I ended up finding the unicorn I was looking for: the Julbo Density.

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Julbo Density Sunglasses

Bottom line: These sporty, barely-there shield sunglasses excel in changing light, thanks to a lens that adjusts on the fly. You can wear them for a wide range of activities and light conditions.

Pros and Cons
鈯� One of the most lightweight, minimal sunglasses we tested
鈯� Expansive field of view and absolutely no fogging
鈯� Comfortable fit, stays put
鈯� Not as durable as other glasses; frame could snap if tossed around

Lens: Comes with either Julbo鈥檚 adaptable photochromic lens, called Reactiv, or a non-photochromic, less expensive option called Spectron.
Frame shape: Shield
Fit: Large
Weight: 20g

To help me test sunglasses, I gathered a team of Lake Tahoe, California-based multi-sport athletes, who were tasked with wearing a variety of shades while doing every outdoor pursuit they could think of. Afterward, they filled out extensive feedback forms with their input. You can see the sunglasses that rose above the rest in our complete review.

I wasn鈥檛 alone in my love of the Julbo Density. Some testers even argued over who got to wear the shades on their next testing outing. 鈥淭hese were a contentious pair of glasses in our house,鈥� said Jessica Hamilton, who tested alongside her husband, Goran. 鈥淭hey were used every day of the two weeks we had them.鈥�

Between 13 testers and across three seasons, we took the Density out Nordic skiing, backcountry skiing, hiking, mountain biking and road cycling, climbing 14ers, playing soccer, and biking to pick up our kids from school鈥攂ut it was trail running where they really shined. In part, that鈥檚 because of the lightweight, understated design. 鈥淵ou hardly know you鈥檙e wearing them,鈥� one tester said. Another added, 鈥淭he frame and lens shape were great for keeping out the wind. Mostly, I was impressed with how light they are.鈥�

Thin rubber temples glide over your ears with ease and stay put, while a streamlined frame just along the top of the lens cuts down on bulk. The lack of frame along the bottom of the glasses also made them great for looking down while navigating technical terrain: There鈥檚 nothing to obstruct your view.

Breezy ventilation and a big field of view come naturally with this lens shape and size. There wasn鈥檛 even a hint of fog inside the lens, even wearing a hat and hood during high aerobic output activities. It鈥檚 definitely an oversized lens鈥攊t worked best on our testers with larger faces. If you have a smaller head, you might be better off choosing the , which has similar lens tech and style but in a more petite shape.

The Density comes with lens options. You can spend less and get Julbo鈥檚 perfectly-good Spectron, a versatile polycarbonate lens that鈥檚 durable but doesn鈥檛 adapt to changing light conditions. Or you can spend about $80 more for Julbo鈥檚 photochromic Reactiv lens, a worthy splurge if you plan to use these in variable light conditions (which is pretty much everywhere, no?).

Forgive me while I gush a little over this lens. It is what sealed the Julbo Density as my top, and only, choice for trail running. Julbo鈥檚 Reactiv transition lens technology has a solid reputation amongst cyclists, but until this test, my running friends and I hadn鈥檛 discovered this beauty yet. The lens tints darker as you move into brighter light and clearer if you鈥檙e in a dimmer place. With road or trail running, the light is always changing, and the lens usually keeps up. Since running is slower than biking or skiing, it allows even more time for the lens to transition. 鈥淭he shift in tint doesn鈥檛 quite adjust fast enough on speedy downhills to make as much of a difference, but it made a big difference on slower uphills,鈥� one tester said.

On low-light days on forested singletrack, the lens was never too dark鈥攏o need to lift the shades onto your head; the lens just transitioned to a clearer tint. 鈥淚ncredible transition precision with clarity in harsh sun and flat light,鈥� said one tester. 鈥淚鈥檓 super impressed.鈥�

The Density is definitely a sporty look. You might as well have a sign on your forehead that says, 鈥淚 crush miles.鈥� One tester wrote, 鈥淭hey鈥檙e a bit too much of a vibe for the casual outing.鈥� But for endurance athletes鈥攅specially runners鈥攍ooking for a trusty new pair of shades with impeccable optics, this is it.

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