What is the different between Trail and Mountain Running?

By Maria Dalzot

Trail and mountain running. Tom-a-to, Tom-ah-to. Right? Not exactly.

The Descent of the 2011 Mountain Running Championships in Albania. (Photo credit to USATF Mountain Ultra Trail)
The Descent of the 2011 Mountain Running Championships in Albania. (Photo credit to USATF Mountain Ultra Trail)

While track and cross country are better known and recognized, the world of mountain and trail running is less understood, but gaining in popularity.

A trail race is run on off-road terrain, typically single track hiking trails or service roads with significant elevation gain and loss. Trail races can cover distances from 10 kilometers to over 100 miles. Anything over the marathon distance is referred to as an “ultra.”Courses can be point to point, several loops or out and back.

A mountain race, like a trail race, is of varying distances and is classified as either an uphill or uphill/downhill event. For the former, races begin at the bottom of the mountain, usually at an alpine ski resort, and finish at the top of the mountain. Runners then use ski lifts for transport back down the mountain. For an up/down course, races start at the bottom of the mountain, climb to the top and then there is a fast descent back to the base.

33 Km Trail race in Moab, Utah. (Photo credit to Tad Davis)
33 Km Trail race in Moab, Utah. (Photo credit to Tad Davis)

Because of the technical, often gnarly terrain, trail and mountain running require a shoe with a little more gusto than the typical road shoe. Trail shoes have a lower drop than a road shoe, meaning it is lower to the ground to provide better stability on uneven surfaces. Trail shoes have extra protection around the toe box and some have a rock guard in the forefoot to guard against sharp rocks.

Both trail and mountain running give you a chance to escape the chaos of modern life and discover a strength you never knew you had. The views at the top of the mountain aren’t too bad either.

 

Happy Trails.

Maria

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