Advisory Committee
Viewpoints from across the industry.
An advisory committee helps shape the program, bringing perspectives from race direction, medicine, advocacy, media and trail stewardship. Most of its members direct races themselves.
2026 Advisory Committee
The people shaping the 2026 program.
They set the agenda together, and between them they cover race direction, sports medicine, film and advocacy, trail stewardship and the governing side of the sport.
Terry Chiplin
Founder, US Trail Running Conference
Founded the conference and Active at Altitude, and has spent decades bringing race directors, brands and trail organizations together.
Tim Tollefson
Founder, Mammoth Trailfest · professional runner
Three-time USATF Trail National Champion and physical therapist. Built Mammoth Trailfest and The Mammoth on stewardship and storytelling.
Dr. Olivia Affuso
Council on Black Health · Hellbender 100 board
PhD, FACSM. Researches chronic disease prevention through physical activity; ultrarunner and Run828 Foundation board member.
Jordan Marie Whetstone
Founder & Executive Director, Rising Hearts
Lakota, fourth-generation runner and filmmaker. Has used her platform since the 2019 Boston Marathon to raise awareness of missing and murdered Indigenous relatives.
Mandy Mullen
Founder, miles.Beyond Running Company
Race director and UESCA-certified coach running a Northern Colorado series from kids’ runs to ultras, alongside community initiatives like Windsor Gives.
Nancy Hobbs
Founder & Executive Director, ATRA
Founded the American Trail Running Association and the US Women’s Mountain Running Team, and helped shape this conference from its earliest days.
Rob Palmore
Race Director
Drawn to trails for their un-improvements, the way they stay peaceful and beautifully simple. Brings a focus on community and inclusivity to the committee.