November 5-7, 2026 – Music City Center, Nashville
The Conference covers three days of inspirational, educational and practical content geared to trail race directors, including panels, presentations, and breakout sessions to share information and brainstorm ideas. The event also includes a top-level expo featuring vendors that provide products or services relevant to trail race directors.
What to Expect
- Access to all panels, sessions, and workshops.
- A curated networking app for professional connections.
- A swag bag with trail and Nashville-inspired gear.
- Lunch each day, plus snacks and beverages throughout.
- Evening mixer with sponsors and exhibitors.
- Optional group runs.
Session Topics
The USTRC 2026 session lineup is still taking shape, but here’s a preview of the topics you can expect. This list is evolving, so check back for updates as we finalize the full schedule!
Topics Coming to USTRC 2026:
- The Future of Public Lands and Trail Running — Permits, access, and land agency relationships: what every race director needs to know to protect the trails we love. Featuring Tim Tollefson and Micah Rice.
- Recruiting and Managing Volunteers — Recruitment, retention, and building a volunteer culture that keeps your crew coming back season after season. Featuring Michele Hartwig of Ornery Mule Racing.
- Medical Guidelines for Every Size Race — Practical, scalable medical planning for races of any size, with frameworks you can put to work immediately. Featuring Dr Andy Pasternak, WSER Medical Director.
- Race Sponsors & Other Revenue Streams — Sponsorship dollars don’t just show up. Learn how to build relationships, think creatively, and tap into the resources already in your own backyard. Featuring Mandy Mullen, Micah Rice, and Brett Harrison.
- Building a More Inclusive Race Community — An honest, inspiring conversation about opening the trails to runners of all abilities, ages, and backgrounds. Featuring a curated panel representing a wide range of perspectives including Renee Janssen and Jordan Whetstone.
- Marketing Basics for Any Budget — Social media, email, community building — the essentials of race marketing without the big budget. Featuring Annemarie Kruse, Marketing Director at UltraSignup.
- Runner & Volunteer Experience — The details that build loyalty, reputation, and a race people rave about and return to year after year. Featuring Jubilee Paige of Aravaipa Running.
- Storytelling & Branding — Learn how authentic narrative can define your race identity and turn participants into lifelong fans. Featuring Tim Tollefson and Jordan Whetstone.
- Free to Move — Discover how Free to Move is tackling safety concerns, breaking down accessibility barriers, and turning actionable strategies into real change — plus concrete steps race directors can take today. Featuring Abby Lokits.
- …and more!
While the full lineup isn’t finalized yet, you can expect sessions covering these themes and beyond. Stay tuned — we’ll share the complete schedule as details are confirmed!
Day 1 - Thursday, November 5
Time Session
9:00 - 10:00 AM Registration + Welcome Coffee
10:00 - 10:45 AM Opening Remarks
10:45 - 11:45 AM Panel + Q&A: The Future of Public Lands and Trail Running
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM Networking Lunch + Expo
1:00- 2:00 PM Panel + Q&A: Race Sponsors & Other Revenue Streams
2:00 - 3:00 PM Panel + Q&A: Medical Guidelines for Every Size Race
3:00 - 3:30 PM End-of-Day Highlights
3:30 - 4:00 PM Group Activity
4:00 - 6:00 PM Welcome Mixer & Expo
Day 2 - Friday, November 6
Time Session
7:00 - 8:30 AM Optional Group Run - Location TBD
9:00 - 10:00 AM Registration, Coffee + Expo
10:00 - 10:15 AM Welcome + Breakout Instructions
10:15 - 11:00 AM Keynote Speaker
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Breakout Session: Marketing Basics for Any Budget
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Breakout Session: Runner & Volunteer Experience
12:00 - 1:30 PM Networking Lunch + Expo
1:30 - 2:30 PM Breakout Session: Story Telling & Branding
1:30 - 2:30 PM Breakout Session: Recruiting & Managing Volunteers
2:30 - 3:00 PM Expo
3:00 - 5:00 PM Round Robin Discussions
5:00 - 5:30 PM Day Recap + Announcements
Day 3 - Saturday, November 7
Time Session
7:00 - 8:30 AM Optional Group Run - Location TBD
9:00 - 10:00 AM Registration, Coffee + Expo
10:00 - 10:15 AM Welcome + Instructions
10:15 - 11:15 AM Panel + Q&A: Building a More Inclusive Race Community
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM State of the Sport from UltraSignup
12:00 - 1:30 PM Networking Lunch + Expo
1:30 - 2:15 PM Keynote Speaker
2:15 - 3:00 PM Closing Remarks + Conference Ends