About
A gathering for the people building the future of trail running.
A look at what the conference is for, who it brings together and what UltraSignup is committing to as we help carry it forward.
About the conference
What we are here to do.
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.
Presented by
Conference Mission
To strengthen the 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.
Conference 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. It’s the same vision UltraSignup holds for the sport at large: the most welcoming sport in the world.
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. It’s the same reason UltraSignup exists: relationships — with race directors, with runners, with the sport itself — are what keep this community growing.
The trail belongs to everyone
At the US Trail Running Conference, we believe the trail belongs to everyone. We are deeply committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where all trail runners, race directors, and industry partners feel valued, respected, and safe. We actively welcome people of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, ages, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds. Together, we strive to make the sport of trail running open, accessible, and supportive for all. That commitment already lives on this stage: programs like the Trail Mix Fund, Rising Hearts and Sin Miedo aren’t just partners here — they’re speakers, advisors and honored guests.
Our mission is to strengthen the trail running ecosystem, starting with race directors.
Boulder, Colorado · Twain Wilkins