Can Trail Running Stay Human?

Trail running is changing. What used to feel small, local, and deeply personal is becoming something much bigger: global race series, professional athletes, major outdoor brands, media ecosystems, and real investment entering the sport.

So what happens as trail running grows up?

In this episode, I traveled to Stockholm to spend time with Billy White, founder of Sörmlands 100, and Gonz Ferrero, CEO of Klättermusen, to talk about the forces shaping trail running right now.

We discuss:
• the future of trail running
• UTMB and global race culture
• independent trail races
• trail running vs road running culture
• elite racing vs dirtbag trail running
• whether trail running can scale without losing its soul
• how outdoor brands think about entering trail running
• sustainability, identity, and community in endurance sports
• why trail running still feels different from other sports

This conversation was recorded at Klättermusen headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden.

00:05 The Growth of Trail Running
00:24 The Evolution of Trail Running
13:19 The Personal Connection to Trail Running
33:33 The Diverging Paths of Trail Running
37:38 The Future of Trail Running: Balancing Elite and Everyday Experiences

Presented by Kiprun bit.ly/kiprun_yt
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Borderlands explores trail running through culture, media, and the forces shaping it.

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