Competition
The pointy end of the trail. Trailhead’s Trail Race Competition section covers the sharp end of trail and ultrarunning — race results recaps, athlete profiles, head-to-head previews, championship coverage, and the storylines driving the world’s biggest races. From Black Canyon Ultras and Western States to regional series championships and emerging American ultra talent, this is where competitive trail running gets the analysis it deserves. Brought to you by UltraSignup, the world’s leading trail running registration platform.
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UltraSignup hosts results from tens of thousands of trail races, 50Ks, 100Ks, and 100-mile ultramarathons. Find your next race — or look up an old one — at ultrasignup.com.
Top Contenders in the Western States 100 Men’s Field
The Western States men's field is a clash of the titans. Will one the sport's legends win or will it be one of the hungry, young newcomers?
UltraSignup
June 9, 2026
Top Contenders in the Western States 100 Women’s Field
The Western States women's field is loaded. Who will come out victorious?
Brian Metzler
June 8, 2026
5 Key Takeaways from the 2026 Cocodona 250 and How it Could Shape the Future of the Sport
The 2026 Cocodona 250 seamlessly wove together a stellar and grueling race with core elements of culture, community and mainstream appeal. The impact of this year's event could be long-reaching.
UltraSignup
May 11, 2026
Rachel Entrekin Asks ‘Why Not You?’ and Answers with a Next-Gen Win at the Cocodona 250
Rachel Entrekin's 'Why Not You?' approach reminds us not to confine ourselves to where we think we belong. The trail doesn’t care about expectations. It rewards persistence, courage, and belief.
Allison Mercer
May 7, 2026
The 2026 Cocodona 250: Who’s Running, How to Watch It, Next Year’s Lottery, and more
The 2026 Cocodona 250 returns on May 4 as one of the longest, most ambitious and most popular ultrarunning events in North America.
Brian Metzler
April 29, 2026
Everything You Need to Know About Western States 2026
The women's and men's fields of the June 27 race are the deepest in history. Here's a rundown of everything you need to know about Western States 2026.
UltraSignup
April 2, 2026
How The Trail Team Has Built a Pipeline to Trail Running Success
The Trail Team is a development program designed to support young runners transitioning out of collegiate running to a future in competitive trail racing.
UltraSignup
March 31, 2026
Marisa Romeo: A Hands-On Study of The Inner Work of Endurance
Marisa Romeo exists at the integration of psychological skill development, where science informs practice, and practice refines science.
Allison Mercer
March 24, 2026
For Rajpaul Pannu, Actions Speak Louder Than Words
A year after suffering a nullified championship and a blow to his confidence, a refocused Rajpaul Pannu ran relentlessly for redemption.
Allison Mercer
March 10, 2026
5 Hot Takes About the 2026 Black Canyon Ultras
Here are five hot takes about the 2026 Black Canyon 100K and 50K races.
Brian Metzler
February 16, 2026