US Trail Running Conference

USTRC Speaker Spotlight ✨️ Carrie Baris

From remote mountain hundreds to short community races - Carrie Baris has directed it all.

Carrie is the Race Director of Hellbender 100, co-Race Director of The Firefly Run, and organizer of several smaller races near Asheville, NC. She's also a board member of the Run828 Foundation, a leader of North Carolina Mountain Trail Runners, her local Trail Sisters chapter, and a certified crosscut sawyer working toward her chainsaw certification.

She'll be joining the panel for Medical Guidelines for Every Size Race at the 2026 USTRC - and yes, she means every size.

Learn more and register at ustrailrunningconference.com

USTRC Speaker Spotlight ✨️ Olivia Affuso

Scientist. Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. Ultrarunner. Explorer. Board member of the Run828 Foundation, host of the Hellbender 100.

Dr. Olivia Affuso brings a rare combination of academic expertise and trail running passion to the 2026 USTRC, where she will be moderating the panel Medical Guidelines for Every Race Size - a practical conversation about building the right medical protocols for your event, whatever the size.

Whether you're directing a 50-person local race or a 400-person ultra, this is the kind of session that we all need.

Learn more and register at ustrailrunningconference.com

Excited to welcome back Headsweats as the Official Headwear Sponsor of the 2026 US Trail Running Conference!

A longtime leader in performance headwear, they've built their reputation on innovative, stylish products designed by athletes, for athletes - with a real commitment to quality and helping people reach their peak potential. Grateful to have them back supporting the USTRC community.

Learn more at headsweats.com 

USTRC Speaker Spotlight ✨️ Alex Staten

For Alex Staten, running on public lands isn't just recreation - it's connection to culture, community, and purpose.

Alex is an Evaluation Manager at the UAMS Institute for Community Health Innovation, a doctorate-level health scientist, a Diné and Mexican ultrarunner, a Rising Hearts Advocate Athlete, and a co-leader of her local Trail Sisters group. Her work, both professionally and in the running community, is rooted in centering the culture and needs of the people she serves.

She'll be joining the panel for The Future of Public Lands & Trail Running at the 2026 USTRC, bringing a perspective that reminds us why protecting access to public lands matters for everyone.

This is a conversation worth showing up for 🔗 in bio to register.

Nashville

USTRC Speaker Spotlight Michele Hartwig 🏃‍♀️Trail runner 📣Race Director

Over a decade ago, Michele Hartwig looked at the Midwest trail running scene and thought - more people should know about this. So, she built it.

Today, Michele is the founder and Race Director of Ornery Mule Racing, a nine-event trail and ultra series spanning Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan - built on a foundation of community, connection, and belonging.

Michele will be co-leading Recruiting & Managing Volunteers at the 2026 USTRC, sharing what she's learned about building a volunteer culture that keeps your crew coming back season after season.

🔗 Learn more and register at ustrailrunningconference.com

USTRC Speaker Spotlight ✨️ JORDAN

Filmmaker. Storyteller. Advocate. Founder of Rising Hearts. Fourth generation runner. And one of the most powerful voices in trail running today.

Jordan Marie Brings Three White Horses Whetstone will be co-leading Storytelling & Branding with a Screening of RUN IN BEAUTY at the 2026 USTRC. Pairing a screening of the film with a conversation about how authentic narrative can define your race identity and turn participants into lifelong fans.

Jordan has spent years using storytelling as a tool for visibility, equity, and change. Come learn how you can do the same for your race and your community.

Learn more and register at ustrailrunningconference.com

USTRC Speaker Spotlight 🌟 Ryan Jolley

Ryan Jolley is the Accessibility Coordinator for the Tennessee Office of Outdoor Recreation
and a legally blind adaptive athlete who has completed marathons and ultramarathons
using adaptive supports, including sighted running guides.

He brings both professional expertise and lived experience to one of the most important
conversations in our sport, and we're so excited to have him join the panel for Building a
More Inclusive Race Community at the 2026 USTRC.

What does it actually take to welcome adaptive athletes to your event? How do you avoid
unintentional barriers that limit participation? Ryan has answers, and they come from
both sides of the start line.

Visit ustrailrunningconference.com to learn more and register.

USTRC Speaker Spotlight ✨️ Angie | Storytelling for Outdoor Brands & Feral Women

15 women. One 50k. $25,000 raised for outdoor scholarships. And a community that keeps growing.

Angie Lake is a race director, community builder, and the founder of the First 50k Sisterhood - a scholarship program breaking down barriers between women and their first ultramarathon. She partners with brands and nonprofits to close the outdoor gender gap through storytelling, events, and media, and her work is proof that inclusion is something you can actively build.

Angie will be joining the panel for Building a More Inclusive Race Community at the 2026 USTRC, an honest, inspiring conversation about opening the trails to runners of all abilities, ages, and backgrounds.

This is the kind of work that changes lives.

Learn more and register at ustrailrunningconference.com
Register by July 10 to take advantage of 20% off!

Say hello to the 2026 ATRA Better Together Scholarship recipients! 🎉

Thank you, ATRA, for once again investing in the future of trail race directing. This scholarship covers registration + travel + lodging (up to $1,800!) for eight new and aspiring race directors to join us at the US Trail Running Conference this November 5-7 in Nashville, TN.

Meet this year's incredible class:
⭐ Antoine Haugabook (Nashville, TN) — Sin Miedo: A BIPOC Trail Running Community
⭐ Aimee Kohler (Nazareth, PA) — The Running Kind
⭐ Lauro Silva (Portland, OR) — Cielo Running
⭐ Angie Lake (White Salmon, WA) — Wild Woman Trail Runs
⭐ Julianna Coughlin (Falmouth, MA) — Cape Cod Trail Race
⭐ Oscar Camejo (Newnan, GA) — Black Men Run / TURF
⭐ Mandy Hansel (MN City, MN) — Storm Sporting Events
⭐ Tim Wylie (Bath, ME) — Bath Run Club & Thorn Head Trail Run

Eight states, eight communities, one shared mission: making trail running better together.

See you in Nashville! 🎶🥾

Full story: https://trailrunner.com/trail-news/atra-announces-2026-better-together-scholarship-recipients/