US Trail Running Conference
November 2026
Nashville
About the US Trail Running Conference
The US Trail Running Conference is the premier gathering for the trail and ultrarunning community – a place where race directors, brands, athletes, media, and outdoor industry leaders come together to connect, learn, and shape the future of the sport.
Founded by Terry Chiplin and long recognized as a hub for education and collaboration within trail running, the conference enters an exciting new chapter under UltraSignup’s stewardship. Our goal is to honor the incredible foundation Terry built while expanding the event’s reach, elevating the experience, and helping grow the trail running ecosystem for years to come.
In 2026, we are excited to bring the conference to Nashville, Tennessee – a vibrant city that perfectly blends creativity, community, and outdoor spirit.
MISSION
To strengthen the US trail running ecosystem – starting with race directors – by uniting directors, brands, media, and runners in a focused, community-driven conference to learn, collaborate, and grow the sport responsibly.
VISION
We envision the US Trail Running Conference as the gathering place for the people who make trail running possible – especially the race directors who create the experiences that define our sport. It’s a space where knowledge is shared openly, mentorship happens naturally, and meaningful connections are built across the community. By coming together each year, we strengthen not only our individual events, but the future of trail running itself – fostering a sport that continues to grow with integrity, inclusivity, and respect for the trails and communities that sustain it.
WHY ATTEND?
Behind every great trail race is a community of people working quietly to make it happen. The US Trail Running Conference is where those people come together – to learn, to share, and to support one another. By gathering in one place, we accelerate what would otherwise take years to build: trust, knowledge, and collaboration. The result is stronger events, stronger leaders, and a stronger future for the sport we all love.
Race Director Testimonials
I have learned some great lessons from the Conference, including one from Ryan Montgomery. A lot of things that we do in the sport are evolutionary and they are a process, and you don’t have to do it all or nothing. Ryan shared some things you can do along the way to help in terms of diversity and to work towards a long term goal.
Dale Garland
The 2024 edition of the US Trail Running Conference was the most diverse group of peers I’ve been around. Age, gender and ethnicity!!!
Shalini Bhajjan
The US Trail Running Conference presented a unique experience where the panelists and presenters shared valuable tips and insights directly related to growing the sport and improving how we all organize events. It was refreshing to be at a conference where the focus was dialogue and interaction amongst the attendees. I highly recommend this conference to everyone involved in the trail running industry
Carlo Facchino
I have been attending USTRC for six years now, and aiming for my seventh! You are going to learn so much, how to connect with all runners from all walks of life in your community, how to be sustainable, and to run a better race. You’re going to have a great time!
Kimberly Aubuchon
The conference is always an amazing place to connect and expand on ideas for our race organizations. The trail running community proves to be a space where collaboration is possible and the conference provides the space for race directors to do so. I always leave the conference inspired to better my organization for runners in my community and the trails we utilize.
Aimee Kohler
The conference was fantastic with amazing people presenting on the panels. There were valuable nuggets of wisdom that I got from each presentation and hope to work some of them into the way I do things
Jamie Nott
I’ve now been to the last 3 US Trail Running Conferences – 2 in WA and 1 in TN – and each one has been better than the previous one. Each time I meet new runners and RDs and learn ways to better our own events. And each time I walk away inspired, motivated and enlightened about the what makes the trail community so special. I am constantly reminded about how fortunate I am to be part of all this
Peter Downing
I very much enjoy meeting and talking with other race directors and vendors each year at the US Trail Running Conference. Since Western States is an established race it would be easy to just continue to do what has worked. While I think we have a lot to offer to new races, it also behooves WS to see what other race directors are doing
Craig Thornley
The highlight of the conference was connecting with like-minded folks from all walks of life. It inspired me to know that I have people I can bounce my ideas off of, and also support in their endeavors. I would definitely consider attending again.
Ron Mackenzie
I’d recommend anybody interested in taking part in a great running Conference to check out the US Trail Running Conference!
Joseph Gray
A big thank YOU for putting on such an amazing event and allowing Lara and I to be a part of it. It was truly an incredible and insightful experience that I will carry with me moving forward. Would love to attend again next year
Shea Aquilano
2024 was my first year attending USTRC. The main thing I loved was the ability to, not just once, but for three continuous days, collaborate with, hear from, co-conspire, & just generally congregate with not just runners, also fellow creatives, event planners, & visionaries in the sport that we love so much. We need to share this with more people!
Sofia Ramirez Hernandez
