Trail Running
Running off-road — softer surfaces, better scenery, and more technical demands than road running.
At a Glance
Category
Cost to Start
Difficulty
Time Commitment
Space Needed
Physical Intensity
Solo or Social
Overview
Trail running trades pace for terrain. Uneven ground, climbs, and descents make it more demanding per mile and generally easier on the joints than pavement.
It requires more attention than road running: you are constantly reading the ground a few steps ahead.
Getting Started
Slow down substantially compared to road pace. Trail miles are not comparable to road miles.
Buy trail shoes with real tread. Road shoes on wet roots are genuinely dangerous.
Walk the steep climbs. Even elite trail runners hike steep sections.
Carry water and a phone on anything longer than a few miles, and check the route before you go.
