Trail Runの Spring 2025 の目次

Not every trail is smooth. And not every season of running is either. There’s this romantic idea of trail running, that we’re always charging up mountains, grinning through mud, floating across ridgelines with purpose and clarity. But if you’ve been in the sport long enough, you’d know the truth: sometimes, it’s just hard. Hard to get out the door. Hard to keep going. Hard to feel like a ‘real’ runner when life gets in the way. I’ve been in that place more than once. There have been weeks – months even – where my shoes stayed tucked in the corner, gathering dust while the to-do list grew longer and my motivation shrank smaller. I’ve had long stretches where the inspiration to keep going just isn’t there. Where the joy feels…

When it comes to fuelling your body for running, carbohydrates are the backbone of endurance, speed, and stamina. Whether you’re heading out for a casual jog along the beach or training for your next half marathon, knowing how much carb you need, and when to eat it, can be the difference between hitting your stride or hitting the wall. But how do you work out exactly how much carb your body needs? It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. It depends on your body size, the intensity and duration of your training, and your personal performance goals. WHY CARBS MATTER FOR RUNNERS Carbs are your body’s preferred source of energy during exercise. As you run, your muscles rely heavily on glycogen, the stored form of carb found in your muscles and liver.…

“WE WANTED TO CREATE A PLATFORM WHERE DIFFERENT PEOPLE COULD SHARE THEIR JOURNEY, BRING OTHERS INTO THE SPORT, AND HELP TRAIL RUNNING GROW.” If you’ve been to a SingleTrack event lately, you’d likely have seen the team kit. You’ve probably even chatted with one of the crew – lacing up, cheering loud, posting reels, or pacing a friend. But who are these runners? And what’s the idea behind the newly minted SingleTrack Team? Joe Dorph, SingleTrack Events Course Director, says the concept had been bubbling away for years. “We’re huge fans of trail running – obviously – and always loved the idea of having a trail team; something that could both build hype around our events and spotlight a diverse range of runners in the community,” he explains. More than…

If you’re going to suffer on the trails, at least suffer in style – and The North Face Summit Series Run Race Day Vest 8 makes it look like you planned the pain. The vest is pure peak performance, packed into a 200g featherweight frame that somehow fits 8 litres of “just-in-case” essentials without ever feeling bulky. Built from a tough-yet-breathable 85g/m² nylon ripstop with a PU coating and non-PFC DWR finish, it shrugs off misty mornings, muddy splashes and the occasional belly-slide descent. Meanwhile, the FlashDry™ pocket fabric – crafted from 86% recycled polyester – keeps things breezy and bone-dry, even when you’re sweating like you just saw the race elevation profile. The fit? Well, the vest certainly gives me a hug-me-tight feel, and it moves with me perfectly;…

Sock it to me Norsewear! If you’ve ever been caught mid-run with socks sliding south faster than your motivation on a rainy Monday, it’s time to step up – literally – with Norsewear’s Lite Multi Sport Micro Crew socks. These black beauties are the sole-mates I didn’t know I needed. Lightweight? Tick. Cushioned heel and toe? Double tick. Perfect for pounding the pavement or dodging Lego bricks on my kitchen floor (why are they always barefoot booby traps?), these socks do it all without a fuss. I’ve worn them on trail runs where the terrain changes faster than my playlist, and even to school drop-off, paired with the world’s most questionable fuzzy slippers. Zero blisters, zero slippage, and zero complaints. They wick sweat like a dream – ideal for tempo…

You know you’ve met your match when your watch knows your resting heart rate, recovery window, and exactly how many hills you’ve regretted. Enter the 36g Suunto Run – the brand’s newest, sleekest, and lightest watch in the brand’s regimen. From runs to gym sessions, the Suunto Run has kept pace (and then some). The 1.32” AMOLED display? Gorgeous. It’s like having a tiny cinema screen on my wrist with its crisp, colourful, and visible look. Swiping between screens is smooth and responsive, even mid-stride. It genuinely is a smooth piece of equipment, and to be honest is a lot nicer than my Suunto 9 Peak Pro. I got the opportunity to test the Lime coloured version, with a nylon strap that has great stretch and features a soft Velcro…

Your kit is cleaned, the running shoes that have been a constant companion for the last few months are drying, and the medal is hanging up. But there’s something not right. Something’s missing. After months of training, a tough race and the euphoria of crossing that finish line, many runners experience an unexpected emotional downturn known as post-race blues. The phenomenon affects runners at all levels, from those of us at the back of the pack to Olympic champions. But what does it mean and, more importantly, how can you deal with it? WHAT ARE POST-RACE BLUES? Post-race blues describe the feelings of sadness, emptiness, and emotional flatness that can emerge in the days or weeks following a big race. While not clinically defined, this experience is widely recognised in…

Inclusion in sports has been an issue for as long as sports have existed, beginning with women’s push for participation in ancient Greece. Fast forward roughly 2,700 years to 1972 when women were first allowed to enter the Boston and New York marathons. The first Paralympics took place in 1960, and the first Indigenous athlete from Australia represented their country in 1964. In 1984, the first women’s marathon was held in both the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games. Sports, particularly running, have traditionally been dominated by men since their inception, but in 2025 the landscape has changed significantly. Anyone who has attended a trail running event understands what a welcoming, friendly, and encouraging atmosphere can feel like. However, as our understanding of individuality and experience evolves, so must our…

After 46 hours of running, Matt Meo stopped one step short of the finish line at the Folsom Lake 140mi race in California. He officially DNF’d. But he didn’t collapse or run out of puff. Matt deliberately chose to stop. Instead of finishing, he passed a photo of his son Landon across the line. Landon died in 2022 at the age of 10-and-a-half. He had been diagnosed with a type of childhood brain cancer called medulloblastoma. Matt wanted his run to symbolise the never-ending battle fought by childhood cancer patients. “There’s no finish line for childhood cancer,” Matt says. “There’s no finish line until there’s a cure.” Matt recalls watching other cancer patients ring a bell when they had finished their treatment. However, just before Landon was due to ring…

As a female ultra endurance athlete, I’m proud to breathlessly shout from the mountain I’ve just climbed, “I love my sport!”, but why is it that on average women represent 30% of finishers at ultra events? Why aren’t more women represented at the start line? Women face obstacles in training, entering and competing in races. So let’s shine a light on some of the barriers women face and learn how best to navigate these. IS THE PLAYING FIELD EVEN? Opinions in open forums often diverge due to the belief that women are better adapted towards endurance sports and have won races outright, so therefore women should race as equals i.e. all stand on the start line together with overall rankings and one winner. Is our sport a place for equality…

I’ll be the first to admit it – I’m a bit of a bottle snob. I’ve had my fair share of leaky lids, lukewarm water, and bottles that take on the aroma of last week’s electrolyte mix. But the Reevus Insulated Stainless Steel Bottle from Journey? Love it. This sleek little number came trail-testing and gym-sweating with me – and nailed both. First win? It keeps water cold for up to 24 hours. Actually cold. Like, I-took-a-swig-after-an-hour-on-the-tread-mill-and-it-still-had-chill kind of cold. And if you’re more of a warm brew wanderer, it handles hot drinks like a pro too, keeping your brew at the right temperature for up to 12 hours. The double-wall vacuum insulation does its job beautifully, and the stainless steel design means no weird aftertaste or lingering smells. I’ve…

Lightweight, low-fuss and thoughtfully designed, the Runly R700 ticks all the boxes for those who want their gear to work with them, for against them. First up: hydration. With two 450ml soft flasks up front and a 2L bladder tucked away in back, staying fuelled on the move is never an issue for either a weekend mountain mission or a midweek long run on rolling trails. The bottle placement is easy-access and bounce-free, and the bladder hose stays neat and secure. Looking at storage, there’s a pocket for just about everything. A zipped phone pouch keeps your device locked in tight (no jangling, no drops), while the stretch side pockets are perfect for gels, snacks, or that lucky trail token you can’t leave behind. The large rear pouch easily holds…

I’ve got a lot of hair. It’s thick, it’s stubborn, and it traps in heat. My hair does NOT play nice on sweaty trail days – especially when it’s plastered to the back of my neck like some sort of damp possum. Aussie brand Fractel is gaining a lot of traction with trail runners in recent years, nailing the balance between performance and personality with their headgear – specifically, their C-Series (in two colours – C-Canopy and C-Ashen) High Ponytail Cap and their A-Series (A-Seablue and A-Olive) Adventure Hat. Two very different styles that all earn a place in my gear drawer. The High Ponytail Cap is hands down my go-to on exposed trails, and even when I do a bit of road running (oh, don’t gasp, it’s bound to…

When you think of skipping, what comes to mind? Perhaps childhood games, laughter, and playgrounds? Skipping could be a running game changer. According to Stuart McMillan, a renowned sprint coach, skipping is more than just a nostalgic pastime – it’s a powerhouse of benefits for runners at every level. Incorporating skipping into your training regimen can transform your running mechanics, boost performance, and inject a dynamic edge into your routine. THE UNDERRATED ART OF SKIPPING Skipping is often relegated to the realm of children’s activities, and overlooked by adults as ‘silly’ or ‘childish’. However, McMillan emphasises that it’s one of the most effective and underutilised forms of plyometric training. Plyometrics involve explosive movements like jumping and bounding, crucial for building speed, coordination, and power. Skipping, with its rhythmic, repetitive motion,…

Trail tested, rain-approved – it’s my new packable partner in crime. If you’ve ever been caught in sideways rain halfway up a ridgeline and thought, “Why didn’t I bring a jacket?”, then this one’s for you. The Mac in a Sac Venture Ultralite is a game-changer for Aussie and Kiwi trail runners who like their weather as unpredictable as their elevation gains. Weighing in at just 240g (about the same as a smashed avo toast), this featherlight wonder packs down into its own pocket, disappearing into your vest until the skies crack open. But don’t let the weight fool you – it’s tougher than a wet sock in a creek crossing. With an 8,000mm waterproof rating and a breathability score of 16,000gsm, it’s the perfect combo of ‘keep the rain…

There’s nothing quite like hitting the trails in the pitch black. Your senses sharpen, and your gear really proves its worth. I took the Fenix HM65R-T V2.0 Rechargeable Headlamp out on a few pre-dawn runs, and I’m honestly not sure how I managed without it before. What won me over first was how lightweight it felt with the magnesium alloy body (sitting at 53g) not weighing my head down at all, and the wide, easily adjustable SPORT fit headband meant no bounce and no fuss, featuring a rotating dial to allow tightening and loosening – brilliant! Together, with battery and headband, the weight came in at 140g, and I barely noticed I was wearing it, which is exactly what I want on a long or technical trail. But the real…

For those who have ever had a sock betray you mid-run – slipping, bunching, or birthing a blister – you’ll understand my scepticism when trying new pairs. But after logging serious kilometres in Fractel’s Performance Socks, I can confidently say: these are keepers. Crafted from Aussie brand Fractel’s PULSE fabric, these socks strike a balance between lightweight breathability and targeted compression. The Jacquard Knit design keeps my feet cool (yes, even in winter when the toes get warm), and the circulation zones provide noticeable support, reducing fatigue on longer efforts – absolutely ideal for someone like me, who has a blood clotting disorder. I was truly impressed with their ability to stay put. No slipping, no bunching – just a snug, secure fit that feels custom-made. The seamless toe construction…

The leveller for us all is the feeling we have on the way to the start line. Regardless of whether you are an elite, seasoned runner or a total rookie first timer, we all experience the same feelings: nervousness, excitement, regret, outright fear…and there’s something beautiful about that. It’s the thing that connects us. And it’s one of the most beautiful parts of this community – we are all here doing something that matters to us. I crewed and paced Jo for her first miler and it was the most humbling experience watching someone you know push themselves and show themselves, and the world, what they are really made of. This shot was taken on 15 February, 2025 at 3:27am as Jo made her way to the start line of…