Trail runners prefer to race the marathon distance or longer, new study finds

If you first experienced trail running in your mid-30s, you’re in good company. A new study on the training habits of trail runners reports that almost a quarter of athletes began exploring trails between the ages of 31 and 35. The research was conducted by the International Trail Running Association (ITRA), an international non-profit.

Results came from surveys distributed worldwide and cover everything from whether athletes started with road running or jumped directly onto the trails, to how often and where they race. We parsed a few of the most interesting takeaways.

Most common injuries

Roughly 60 percent of athletes had experienced some kind of injury, the most common being ankle sprains and muscle issues. Athletes tend to take training breaks, and often incorporated cross-training into their exercise routine, possibly to help prevent future setbacks.

Gear habits and spending

Trail runners surveyed spent between $250 and $800 dollars per year on gear. Salomon was the top choice for footwear and trail gear. Garmin boasted a clear lead in watches, and was the chosen brand for 60 per cent of trail athletes.

Race distances

Racing habits varied among trail runners, with half of those surveyed preferring to stay within their local area to race, and half opting to travel internationally. Trail runners also reported a variety of distances raced and frequency of races, with more than a third participating in around five races per year. Interestingly, the most common race distances were between 42.2 km and 80 km (so “trail marathons” and longer), with only three per cent of athletes going over the 100-mile distance.

The study concluded that trail runners participate in the sport because they love being in harmony with nature, discovering new places as well as staying fit and preparing for their next race.

posted Saturday July 9th
by Running Magazine