Thanks, Zoe. I was thinking about these very issues (e.g. we should be focusing on public lands conservation and climate solutions, not on more trivial things like buying more expensive shoes that have partially recycled materials or going cupless at an aid station that has dozens of plastic liter soda bottles that can't be recycled), and feeling annoyed by all the marketing/branding of these burgeoning running brands that make us think we need to be fashionable on the trails. So your post resonated with me.
Great discussion on an important topic. I'd be interested to hear thoughts on the idea that, to some extent, we have intentionally kept environmental topics out of trailrunning to protect it from the political contagion that has invaded so many other aspects of our lives.
When I found my way to trailrunning, it felt like I'd finally found my people, and I assumed they shared my environmentalism — how could you do what we do, in the places we do it, and NOT be an environmentalist? Of course I was wrong about that, and even if I don't understand the incongruity or paradox of it, there are red trailrunners amongst us, and to alienate them would change the nature of the community. I think most of us (on all sides) recognize this, and have (consciously or not) decided to protect the tribe as a kind of sacred space where we don't talk about those things, because we know they could tear us apart.
I'm not comfortable with this as an endpoint, and I think we have a responsibility to do better, but I also think we have to be careful, because it is so easy to slip into angry shouting and division. I'm still trying to feel my way forward on this...
You’ve nailed the heart of the tension: trail running feels like a refuge, a place where we leave behind the noise and division of the outside world. It’s why so many of us are drawn to it. But I think that comfort zone is exactly what’s holding us back. By avoiding tough conversations, we’re choosing to protect a fragile peace rather than confront the uncomfortable reality that our sport—and the landscapes we love—are directly impacted by the very issues we’re avoiding.
Is it risky to bring politics into the mix? Sure. But the irony is that the trails are already political. Public lands, access rights, conservation efforts—they’re all shaped by political decisions. By not talking about it, we’re effectively siding with the status quo, which rarely favors environmental protection.
The fear of alienating “red trail runners” or causing division is valid, but at some point, we have to ask ourselves: what’s the cost of staying silent? Are we willing to let the places we cherish degrade just to keep things harmonious on our group runs? Maybe it’s time we stop treating trail running as a sacred, untouched space and instead see it as a starting point for bigger, more impactful conversations. If we can handle the pain of a 100-miler, surely we can handle a bit of discomfort in the name of protecting the places that make our sport possible.
So the title of my next column in UltraRunning Magazine will be, "5 Ways To Improve Your Sex Life Through Environmentalism". Clicks and solid content both!
OK, I'm kidding. Or am I? Hard to tell.
Matt and now Zoé have identified a gap in running media. Very good. So what's next?
"I am not usually the most fun person on any given group run." I think that gets to the real heart of this - if you talk about the problems then you're seen (or you feel like you're seen) as the Grinch and the buzzkill on the trail. This incredibly negative threat has to be presented in a positive light so that it energises people rather than demoralises them. And that's where those little actions come in - look what we did, and look what else we could do.
I had conversation recently with some one at one of the large race registration platform about a project I was working on that would effectively make trail running events carbon neutral and asked if they thought that $8 was to much to add to the cost of individuals race entry? Is there an apitite to for something like this? Their responce… not yet. It broke my heart to hear.
Thanks, Zoe. I was thinking about these very issues (e.g. we should be focusing on public lands conservation and climate solutions, not on more trivial things like buying more expensive shoes that have partially recycled materials or going cupless at an aid station that has dozens of plastic liter soda bottles that can't be recycled), and feeling annoyed by all the marketing/branding of these burgeoning running brands that make us think we need to be fashionable on the trails. So your post resonated with me.
Great discussion on an important topic. I'd be interested to hear thoughts on the idea that, to some extent, we have intentionally kept environmental topics out of trailrunning to protect it from the political contagion that has invaded so many other aspects of our lives.
When I found my way to trailrunning, it felt like I'd finally found my people, and I assumed they shared my environmentalism — how could you do what we do, in the places we do it, and NOT be an environmentalist? Of course I was wrong about that, and even if I don't understand the incongruity or paradox of it, there are red trailrunners amongst us, and to alienate them would change the nature of the community. I think most of us (on all sides) recognize this, and have (consciously or not) decided to protect the tribe as a kind of sacred space where we don't talk about those things, because we know they could tear us apart.
I'm not comfortable with this as an endpoint, and I think we have a responsibility to do better, but I also think we have to be careful, because it is so easy to slip into angry shouting and division. I'm still trying to feel my way forward on this...
You’ve nailed the heart of the tension: trail running feels like a refuge, a place where we leave behind the noise and division of the outside world. It’s why so many of us are drawn to it. But I think that comfort zone is exactly what’s holding us back. By avoiding tough conversations, we’re choosing to protect a fragile peace rather than confront the uncomfortable reality that our sport—and the landscapes we love—are directly impacted by the very issues we’re avoiding.
Is it risky to bring politics into the mix? Sure. But the irony is that the trails are already political. Public lands, access rights, conservation efforts—they’re all shaped by political decisions. By not talking about it, we’re effectively siding with the status quo, which rarely favors environmental protection.
The fear of alienating “red trail runners” or causing division is valid, but at some point, we have to ask ourselves: what’s the cost of staying silent? Are we willing to let the places we cherish degrade just to keep things harmonious on our group runs? Maybe it’s time we stop treating trail running as a sacred, untouched space and instead see it as a starting point for bigger, more impactful conversations. If we can handle the pain of a 100-miler, surely we can handle a bit of discomfort in the name of protecting the places that make our sport possible.
Yes, I agree.
So the title of my next column in UltraRunning Magazine will be, "5 Ways To Improve Your Sex Life Through Environmentalism". Clicks and solid content both!
OK, I'm kidding. Or am I? Hard to tell.
Matt and now Zoé have identified a gap in running media. Very good. So what's next?
I look forward to reading who fills in that gap.
Brilliant 😆 We haven’t even broached the subject of whether sex sells in trail running… maybe your article can give us an indicator… 😅
"I am not usually the most fun person on any given group run." I think that gets to the real heart of this - if you talk about the problems then you're seen (or you feel like you're seen) as the Grinch and the buzzkill on the trail. This incredibly negative threat has to be presented in a positive light so that it energises people rather than demoralises them. And that's where those little actions come in - look what we did, and look what else we could do.
I had conversation recently with some one at one of the large race registration platform about a project I was working on that would effectively make trail running events carbon neutral and asked if they thought that $8 was to much to add to the cost of individuals race entry? Is there an apitite to for something like this? Their responce… not yet. It broke my heart to hear.
Sorry should have proofed this before submitting 😆