Men's Health October 22, 2026 0 Comments

Unlock the Hidden Trail Races That Will Redefine Your Limits and Ignite Your Next Adventure!

Ever wonder what happens when you swap your predictable treadmill grind for the unpredictable wild? Trail running isn’t just a change of scenery—it’s a full-on escape from the mundane, a plunge into untamed terrain where every step tells a story. Whether you’re chasing the thrill of covering 100 miles or simply craving that quiet rendezvous with nature, there’s a trail race that’s just waiting to be your new obsession. From the rugged peaks of the Alps to mysterious desert paths, this isn’t your average run—it’s an adventure, a community, and a challenge all rolled into one. So lace up, because stepping off the pavement might just change everything you thought running was about. LEARN MORE

4 min read

Welcome to the Wild World of Trail Running! We’re diving deep on the races, training tips, and gear you need to know to get outside off paved roads to run a whole new way. Click here for more stories about the trail explosion.

TRAIL RUNNING OFFERS a huge range of experiences. Want to run far? Events often stretch up to (and beyond) 100 miles. Less focused on distance? There are 5K jaunts, too. Looking to lose yourself in nature? Take your pick from races staged in forested national parks, deserts, and epic coastline vistas. You can embrace your competitive side and strive to qualify for one of the major endurance events, which offer only hundreds of bibs to thousands of hopefuls, or you can hit the paths looking to make friends and have fun at social-first runs designed to foster community.

No matter what your preference, there’s a trail race for you. We’ve selected some of our favorites, from the top competitions in the world to some little-known runs focused on getting more people outside paved roads for the first time. Some of these events require qualification or invites to participates, and others are welcome to all comers. There’s a wide, wild world of trail out there. You just have to find the right place for you.

Two athletes hiking through a grassy area, each using trekking poles and wearing race numbers on their vests.

Felix Mynt

MH senior editor Brett Williams on the UTMB’s MCC course in 2026.

CONSIDERED BY MANY to be the pinnacle of trail running, UTMB a multi-day trail series held annually at the end of August in Chamonix, France, with race courses stretching through the Alps to Italy and Switzerland, too. The week is capped by its main event, the 174 kilometer (108 mile) namesake race, but pros and enthusiasts alike take on distances ranging from 15 kilometers (the YCC for youth runners) to the team-based technical challenge of the 300 kilometer (186 mile) PTL. I ran the MCC, the 40 kilometer (24.9 mile) entry-level race from Switzerland to Chamonix, and it was incredible.

Runners crossing the finish line at the Leadville Trail 100 Run event.

Tim Ferrar and Kyle Johnson

MH Trail Tested contributor Jack Espy finishing the Leadville 100 in 2026.

OFTEN REFERRED TO as simply “Leadville,” this Colorado 100-miler is all about altitude. The “Race Across the Sky” traverses the Rocky Mountains and climbs to peaks of 12,500 feet. MH Trail Tested contributor Jack Espy took on the race this year, and was able to depend on his training, determination, and top-notch gear to get him to the finish.

Two individuals near the iconic Las Vegas sign at night, surrounded by palm trees and scattered confetti.

Olumide Olamigoke Jr

Creator Tommie Runz after finishing The Speed Project’s LA to Vegas run solo in 2025.

DEFINITELY THE MOST online of any of these events, The Speed Project combines social media hype with real grit for unsanctioned races across massive distances. Selected teams or individuals (as of now, the series is invite-only) take on contests to see who can get from Point A to Point B fastest, with no formal course markers to follow or aid stations to count on for support. Initially staged on the roughly 340-mile route from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, races have also been held in the French Alps and Chile’s Atacama Desert.

Runners crossing a finish line banner that reads "Finish: you've been there and back again.

Courtesy of Hobbiton Movie Set Tours

IF THERE’S AN official sport of The Lord of the Rings, it would be trail running (unless you count the orc-slaying contest of The Two Towers and The Hobbit’s line about Bilbo’s ancestor inventing golf). The stories of these iconic films only start when their characters take a long journey on-foot—and you can do that yourself, running through the New Zealand landscapes captured in Peter Jackson’s films. The Hobbiton Movie Set, now a major tourist attraction, stages run and walk events at 21.1 km (13.1 miles) or 11.1 km (6.9 miles). Costumes are optional.

Participants walking under a banner during a community event, wearing race numbers and engaging in outdoor activities.

David Jaewon Oh

THIS SEATTLE-BASED event was first held in 2025 after being started by Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC) co-founder Alison Mariella Désir and trainer Aaliyah Earvin to make the trail running world more open and accessible for all kinds of athletes from all kinds of backgrounds. Runners could take on courses ranging from 1.9 miles to two hours, taking the intimidation factor that comes with ultras out of the equation.

Runner crossing the finish line at the Western States Endurance Run, celebrating amidst a cheering crowd.

Courtesy Western States | Hilary Yang

The Western States Endurance Run is one of the premiere ultra trail races in the United States and lays claim on the title of the oldest 100 mile trail race in the world. Staged between Olympic Valley and Auburn, California since 1974, WSER has become a bucket list event for qualified trail junkies, who enter an increasingly competitive lottery for a shot at one of the prized belt buckles for finishing in under 24 or 30 hours.

Scott Kumner

PODCAST TEN JUNK Miles leans into the tight-knit community aspect of the trail world with this Wisconsin-based race series. Endurance mavens can choose from six different distances for the two-day event, ranging from half-marathon all the way up to 100 miles—and have a shot to qualify for the prestigious Western States and Badwater 135, too.

Runners participating in a trail race under a colorful start/finish banner on a grassy field.

Eljay Briss

TRAIL RUNNING IS growing in the UK, too—and this “carnival of trail” started by Black Trail Runners is aiming to expand its popularity (and accessibility) even more with athletes from historically marginalized communities. Races range from 1k up to 10k, and runners under 16 participate for free.

Three athletes hiking uphill with trekking poles in a scenic outdoor landscape under a blue sky.

RUN RABBIT RUN

ARE YOU AN elite athlete looking to break it big? The Colorado-based event offers the biggest prize purse in the ultra trail world for winners of a 100-mile race ($100k for both men’s and women’s top finishers). But the race isn’t just for pros; it started in 2007 as a charity race and still donates to organizations in northern Colorado. There’s also a 50-mile run, capped at 200 entrants.

Hikers trekking on a rocky trail with colorful rock formations and trees in the background.

Melissa Cruz

IF YOU’RE A national parks fanatic, Trailfest is the event for you. Taking place over three days in the American Southwest, the courses run through Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Antelope Canyon with distances ranging from 10 to just under 16 miles. It’s not just racing, either; the event offers a festival atmosphere with a basecamp to host planned activities, meals, and camping.

Brett Williams, NASM-CPT, PES, a senior editor at Men’s Health, is a certified trainer and former pro football player and tech reporter. You can find his work elsewhere at Mashable, Thrillist, and other outlets.