42// Trail Running Media Gift Guide!

Even the creators of gift guides need their own guide…

Dec 17, 2023

Hey pals,

Christmas time is an important time for me. From spending time with friends and family, reflecting on the past year and dreaming up plans for the next.

Hence this post will be short, and the last of this year.

Nevertheless, it’s a time of showing gratitude to those that filled your year with joy and grace.

This week’s post will be my way of showing gratitude to all those that make up our wonderful community, but also by helping you all with last minute gifts - A Trail Running Media Gift Guide! The guide you never knew you wanted ;) I ran this post last year, but updated it with a few more of my finds across the year.

Whether by subscribing to a publication directly or buying something using a discount code, we can all support the media outlets and creators in our industry this year by investing in them.

This list is by no means comprehensive, so please support your favourite trail running media publication / podcast / creator in anyway you can :)

I hope you have a restful Christmas and raucous New Year.

See you in the new year folks!

Matt

For the Thoughtful Runner

Like The Wind is for those that believe that running is more than a sport, but a way of being. Reading Simon and Julie Freeman’s Like The Wind magazine is truly an engrossing experience. Going from page to page you begin to realise how universal an experience Running is and how through this lens we are able to empathise with whole other cultures, nations and societies.

Subscribe to Like the Wind here or browse their store for similar gifts.

For the Runner in Search of their Tribe

We all know that person whose life is trail running. They read Trail Runner mag for insights from David Roche on how to be a better runner, they’re reading reviews on IRunFar for far too long, then watch GingerRunner for a second opinion. They also follow every trail runner on Twitter, but fear its in a death spiral that may cut them off from the community if it comes to it’s seemingly inevitable demise. For those people, a subscription to FreeTrail Pro is the next step that brings them closer to the trail running community without the dumpster fire of chaos that is Twitter.

Subscribe to Freetrail Pro here. (They even have some sweet merch available too!)

For the Outdoor Athlete

For most of us, trail running is not our only outdoor sport. For those that want to grow the multiple facets of their sporting lives and be better all round outdoor athletes, the best subscription they can get is Outside Plus. Alongside some of the best journalism on Trail Running from Zoe Rom and team, you can also dive into a sea of videos, tutorials and supporting tech from multiple other disciplines.

Subscribe to Outside Plus here

For the Ultrarunner in Need of some Downtime

If you just want your ultrarunner friend or partner to just sit down and stop running for just a hot minute, maybe get them subscribed to Ultrarunning magazine (US) or Ultra running magazine(UK). It satisfies their need to become a better runner, whilst letting them put their feet up.

Subscribe here (US) & here (UK)

For the Runner who thinks the Right Number of Shoes is n+1

Sometimes the best thing you can get a runner is more shoes. If so browse IRunFar’s gift guides and shoes of the year and purchase the shoes through their links. It’s a small commission, but every little helps. (Whilst you’re there, contribute to their Patreon)

For the Runner who wants to know the Behind the Scenes Details on UTMB’s Rise

Many of you started sharpening your pitchforks ready for the next UTMB blunder, but maybe take a step back and read Doug Mayer’s incisive book on UTMB’s growth. It might change your perspective, or give you more reason to keep sharpening.

For the Ultramarathoner in need of some 2024 inspiration

Immerse them in a world of breathtaking landscapes, thrilling race reports, and captivating stories from fellow ultrarunners in Ultra magazine (UK). Ultra not only delivers stunning photography that captures the essence of our sport but also provides valuable insights into upcoming races and events around the world, perfect for planning that 2024 race calendar…

Subscribe here

For the Runner in Search of an Alpine Adventure

I’ve been plotting some summertime madness in the alps next year and Run the Alp’s Switzerland guidebook has been both inspirational and dangerous for my ambitions. Buy the book direct here.