American Trail Running Association announces 2025 theme: Innovation

December 29, 2024

Encompassing gear to livestreaming, partnership building to the inclusion of AI in training

/ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – American Trail Running Association’s (ATRA) advisory board had a robust discussion that led to our 2025 theme, “Innovation.” With a variety of interpretations encompassing gear to livestreaming, partnership building to the inclusion of AI in training, innovation will surely provide numerous opportunities to unpack a wide range of topics in ATRA’s programming and coverage in the coming year.

Said Adam Chase, president of ATRA, “Our 2025 theme encompasses a trail runner’s approach to adaptation and anticipation. ATRA seeks to improve and advance our sport, respecting nature as we adopt and implement technological ideas and inventions as we evolve.”

Gear, apparel, footwear

Super shoes, carbon plates, recycled materials, sustainable eco-friendly fabrics are all terms in today’s trail runner vernacular. At The Running Event in Austin this past November, brands introduced advances in technology which generated excitement from the record-breaking number of attendees – topping 4800.

Now more than ever, wearable tech is at the forefront of navigation and training. GPS watches can be pre-programmed with running routes and can provide real-time data to enhance an athlete’s experience on the trails. There are even watch windows build into apparel for easy viewing of said GPS data.

Sustainable trails

Costs are rising in all areas of our economy including acquisition, maintenance and preservation of trails and open spaces. Having more areas to pursue our trail running passion is terrific, but protecting the environment and sustaining the terrain underfoot cannot be overlooked. Incorporating sustainability measures and practices will ensure that the land on which we recreate remains viable well into the future.

Science and research

New training methods and science-backed routines are driving behaviors of both coaches and the athletes they support and with the prevalence of virtual coaching, connections are easier than ever. Advances in nutrition assist athletes in their quest to post their best efforts in training, racing, and recovery. Shared knowledge and experiences create success and continue to raise the bar on what athletes can achieve.

Community connections far and wide

Even though trail running can often be a solitary endeavor, there is a growing community worldwide for both in-person connections and virtual connections. Routes can be shared on apps, encouragement can be found through social media, the race calendar has expanded with numerous opportunities to compete alongside, or against fellow racers.

We invite you all to follow along as ATRA explores the many facets of innovation in our sport. Share your ideas, experiences, and stories to further the scope of our growing community.

ATRA themes through the years

“Innovation,” is our ninth annual theme and follows last year’s Better Together, 2023’s Celebrate Youth on the Trails, 2022’s Trail Running is for Every Body, 2021’s Resilience, 2020’s Climate Action, 2019’s Trail Running Responsibly, 2018’s Trail Stewardship: Leaving a Lasting Legacy, and our 2017 theme Community: Building Trail Running Connections.

Contact: Nancy Hobbs, 719-573-4133

American Trail Running Association