Trailrunning 101: Equipment, Events, Elite
Trail running is the latest trend in the running scene. More and more people are swapping asphalt for forest paths and mountains - and discovering a whole new, rougher side of the sport. To keep up with the next debate, we'll tell you the basics about equipment, events and elite.
Words by Lukas Motschmann
Photos by Florian Kurrasch
The Basics for Beginners
What is trail running?
Running away from asphalt – on forest paths, mountain trails or gravel roads. Pure nature, adventure guaranteed!
Equipment
1. Shoes with grip for uneven trails, e.g. the Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide, available in February 2025, which we were already able to test on the Schneeberg in Austria. Thanks to the new reliveSPHERE technology and 4mm studs, you always feel safe even on slippery passages and changing surfaces.
2. Light backpack with electrolyte drinks and snacks: drink a small sip every 30 minutes and consume about 30g of carbohydrates (gels, dates, salty nuts).
3. Comfortable, breathable clothing (onion principle).
Technology
1. Short steps for control. High frequency over the forefoot to have the heel as an “emergency grip” when slipping.
2. Uphill: Slow down, walk evenly. Walking or hiking is just as normal as using poles.
3. Downhill: Lean forward, never “block”.
Safety First
1. Always tell someone where you are running.
2. Have a cell phone + first aid kit with you.
3. Write down the most important emergency numbers.
The biggest races in the world
UTMB (Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc)
The “Champions League” final in trail running. 171 km, 10,000 meters of elevation, Mont Blanc massif – simply legendary.
Western States 100
The oldest 100-mile race in the world, through the Sierra Nevada in the USA.
Hard Rock 100
100 brutal miles through Colorado, with over 10,000 meters of elevation gain – a classic for hardcore trail runners.
Golden Trail Series (Zegama-Aizkorri)
The “rockstar race” of the skyrunning scene. Short, crisp and extremely technically demanding.
For most of these races, ITRA points are required to participate. The UTMB series broke away from the ITRA points system in 2023.
But what is the difference?
ITRA points vs. UTMB INDEX
ITRA points
A scale of 1-6 points that shows how difficult a race is (distance + elevation gain). You need it to qualify for major events, such as Golden Trail World Series (GTWS) races.
Example: A race with 100 km and 3,500 meters of elevation gain earns 5 points.
UTMB Index
Your personal performance score, based on your best races of the last 3 years. The higher the score, the better you are in global comparison.
In order to take part in UTMB races, you now have to collect so-called “UTMB Running Stones”, have a UTMB Index and thus participate in the lottery (similar to what you know from the World Marathon Majors). Only elite athletes with a very high UTMB Index and charity teams can secure a starting place via direct qualification or the so-called “shortcut”.
In short: ITRA = rate the race. UTMB Index = rate you.
The Fastest Athletes
Of course, this list is not exhaustive and our german Ida-Sophie Hegemann is also right at the top. Nevertheless, the following names are probably the strongest in the scene at the moment:
Kilian Jornet (Spain)
The GOAT. Multiple GTWS and UTMB winner, holds records on all kinds of distances.
Jim Walmsley (USA)
Dominant US trail runner, fast and technically strong – UTMB Champion 2023.
Courtney Dauwalter (USA)
Queen of Ultras. She wins everything, often by a huge margin, and is known for her unique style.
Judith Wyder (Switzerland)
Originally from orienteering (multiple world champion), she dominates all distances up to 50 km. Judith is known above all for her extreme technical ability, especially on the downhill.
Ready for the Trails?
With the necessary basic knowledge in your luggage, you can now gain your first trail experience! Although the mostly unknown terrain requires a high level of adaptability due to the constantly changing conditions, it also offers a lot of fun and epic views. Start with easy trails, train uphill/downhill and trust the process. The more experience you gain, the more you can enjoy it.
