Men's Journal

This Saturday is National Trail Running Day. To celebrate, we selected three competitions across the country. So lace up your runners and get to it.

By John Talty, Robert Moor, and Chris Gayomali

Leadville Trail 100, August 21st

Leadville, Colorado

Known as the “Race Across the Sky,” the Leadville Trail 100 is guaranteed to demand every last drop of energy. The legendary race takes place in the Colorado Rockies, where you’ll run in altitudes ranging from 9,200 to 12,600 feet. Passing by the Hope Pass, you’ll head 50 miles up through the Rockies and then 50 miles back out to where it all began. Participating in this epic race certainly isn’t a given–you have to have a medical check-up before the start–but everyone is free to watch.

Travel and Accommodations

Leadville, previously ranked by us as one of the nation’s top 20 “Dream Towns in America,” is located in the middle of Colorado. There is a Leadville Airport, but there are few direct flights. There are a bevy of lodging options in the area, and you can find the many of them here. -J.T.

On The Rocks Trail Run, August 21st

York, PA

Some runners say they thrive on gnarly, chunky, jagged, uneven trails. If you’re one of these (crazy) people, then the On The Rocks Trail Run is for you. Located in the (appropriately named) Rocky Ridge County Park, the course consists of 8.3 miles of trail, 1900+ vertical feet, and as many rocks and roots as you’re likely to find anywhere on the East Coast. Same day registration is available (more info here), but you’ll have to complete the course in three hours.

Travel and accommodations

York is equidistant from both Philadelphia and Washington Dulles airports (about 80 miles), and has a plethora of decently priced, if somewhat unexciting, lodging. We recommend the Heritage Hills Resort, where, the day after your race, you can play a few rounds of golf, get a massage to ease your sore muscles, and relax at the hotel pub with a glass of good whiskey. (Served neat, of course). -R.M.

Squak Mountain Trail Run, August 21st

Issaquah, WA

Located in the heart of the Issaquah Alps mountain chain, Squak Mountain boasts some of the plushest, greenest forests in the American Northwest. However, there’s one factor that’s sure to present a welcome challenge on Saturday’s trail run for even experienced runners: the altitude shifts. The half-marathon leg features over 3,650 feet of elevation gain, while the 50k presents an even heftier test for your oxygen intake with 8,300 feet of total gain. Needless to say, this ain’t for beginners looking to soil their feet. For runners up to the task, the forest itself is a beaut: the park’s owners have had stringent logging restrictions in place since the 70s, most evident in the mossy, untouched elegance of the forest’s trees. For trail maps, more information, and to register, click here.

Travel and accommodations

Squak Mountain is only a 25-minute drive from Seattle, where we recommend treating yourself at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel. You’ll be steps away from landmarks like the Pike Place Market, the Waterfront, and the Space Needle– perfect for some post-race sightseeing. Or, cozy up with that special someone and enjoy all of the AAA Five Diamond hotel’s amenities. Your tired feet will thank you. –C.G.