Runners are going off road.
Headcount. Trail run uploads to Strava have doubled in three years, with UTMB race series participants surging 2.4x since 2022. Globally, over 800K runners lined up in the first half of 2025, with 42% competing in their first-ever trail event.
Ultra-accessible. Already a $20B economy, trail running is becoming more accessible. Once synonymous with ultradistances, two-thirds of participants stick to marathon distance or shorter, while the average Strava trail run is ~6mi.
Welcoming new faces, women and Gen Z are driving growth — female participation is up 2.6x, and Gen Z women increased trail uploads 6.5x over three years.
Team sport. No longer a solo sport, training runs and race weekends are shared adventures. More than 50% of UTMB runners arrive with friends or family, and group trail runs on Strava grew 20% in three years.
Looking ahead: Fueled by inclusivity, community, and culture, trail running is set to climb higher — shaping travel, tech, and lifestyle while defining the next era of outdoor sport.
