Hey pals!

So there’s a bit of a running boom happening. Races are selling out, instagram bros are running shirtless down the street with their noise cancelling headphones and running shoes are flying off the shelves.

Unfortunately (or fortunately if you are in that camp) trail and ultra running is having a similar boom. I think I heard Dylan Bowman say on his Second Nature podcast that trail running was growing at, on average, 30% per year.

As our sport grows and we welcome new folks into the fold, I think it’s important to set out some unofficial rules.

Do’s

• Bring your required/mandatory gear. This isn’t a question. It’s not suggested. If you don’t bring it, it’s literally cheating, so just carry the gear and wear kit that is appropriate for the race and terrain you are running. As trail runners, we aren’t judging your size or shape or costume, just make sure you are taking care of yourself and aren’t about to give yourself epic chafe or hypothermia.
• Take selfies/photos. Don’t get us wrong, we are a serious sport, there is world championships, but we are all here for a good day out there. You might not get another opportunity to see the scenery you are experiencing so make the most of it
• Stay to the left (in Australia/NZ) We look for beautiful, marble in a groove single track, in a race, but don’t upset others by staying in the middle of the track or running two abreast on a narrow section. Make sure there is space to pass without people cracking the shits and going off trail to get around you.
• Leave no trace. This seems obvious but we want to enjoy the trails (and organised events on them) for years to come. So don’t drop rubbish on the ground, throw watermelon rinds into the bush or leave tissues/toilet paper etc everywhere. You are carrying a pack, pop a zip lock bag in there and empty it out at aid stations.
• Be considerate with headphones. Frankly I think noise cancelling headphones should be banned in trail races, they are dangerous. If you choose to wear any type of headphones, make sure they are at a volume that you can hear your own feet on the ground and the person behind you. There is nothing more frustrating that being stuck behind someone wearing headphones oblivious to the other people on the trail.
• Talk to people & thank the volunteers. The only trail sin worse than littering is being rude to a race volunteer. They are giving up their time, getting up at stupid o’clock and standing out in the freezing cold for hours to support you and your race. The least you can do is say thank you .
• Self seed appropriately. For the enjoyment of everyone. You don’t want a conga line of people right up your arse anymore than the people stuck behind you.

Don’ts

• Be an arsehole
• Cheat
• Play music on loudspeaker
• Litter (obviously)
• Whinge, yes it can suck, you paid good money, suck it up and get on with it.
• Blame everyone else’s for your DNF/underperformance (see don’t be an arsehole)
• Compare your 5k parkrun Pb to any trail race of any distance
• Be judgy (see don’t be an arsehole)
• Intentionally block people from passing you

I feel like most of these are really obvious but I keep seeing them so maybe they do need to be said.

Trail and ultra running is meant to be fun. You are going on a grand adventure, taking on a great challenge, smile, be nice and thank the volunteers.

Thanks for coming to my TED talk.

If I missed some, comment below ⬇️