I Trail Run

Trail running is a variant on running that differs markedly from road running and track running. Trail running generally takes place on hiking trails, most commonly single track trails, although fire roads are not uncommon. A distinguishing characteristic of the trails is that they are often inaccessible by road except at the trail heads. The trails tend to traverse varying terrain; hills, mountains, deserts, forests, and narrow passages are common. Likewise, steep inclines or rough terrain sometimes may require hiking or scrambling. Runners participating in trail runs must often descend these same steep grades. It is not unusual for trail runs to ascend and descend thousands of feet.

There are as many variations of trail running as there are runners. Many individuals prefer running trails for daily training and exercise, while other trail runners spend weeks out in the backcountry. There is a growing number of people participating in solo backcountry trail running trips, which are a sort of ultralight backpacking. While an ordinary backpacking expedition may last for eight days, averaging eight to ten miles per day, with participants carrying fifty to sixty pound backpacks, backcountry trail runner will do the same trip in three to four days, covering much greater distances each day, and carrying only minimal equipment. This type of backpacking is rare, as it is very difficult and dangerous, but it is growing in popularity.

Trail running is growing in popularity and is enjoyed throughout the world. As of 2006, there are over 6.7 million regular trail runners in the United States, and over 40 million worldwide.[http://www.outdoorindustryfoundation.org/resources.research.participation.html] It has a particularly heavy following in the Mountain States, the Western US, and California.

In the United Kingdom, the British Athletic Federation authorised this definition in 1995: In the context of athletics, trail races are primarily along footpaths and bridlepaths marked on Ordnance Survey maps as "public rights of way". They are "highways" to which pedestrians have unrestricted access in English law. Towpaths, forest drives, farm cart tracks and paths in parks etc, from which motorised traffic is excluded, are

also trails when the owners' permission is obtained. Some trail races take place in less isolated areas, and routes can include public parks or canal towpaths.

The Badwater Ultramarathon describes itself as "the world's toughest foot race". It is a 135 mile (215 km) course starting at 282 feet (85 m) below sea level in the Badwater Basin, in California's Death Valley, and ending at an elevation of 8360 feet (2548 m) at Whitney Portal, the trailhead to Mount Whitney. It usually happens in July, when the weather conditions are most extreme and temperatures over 120 °F (49 °C) in the shade are not uncommon. Consequently, very few people?even among ultramarathoners?are capable of finishing this race.

Category: File - :DavidGogginsMay08.jpg|thumb|right|Goggins in May 2008

David Goggins is a Navy SEAL who served in Afghanistan, and an ultramarathon runner. After several of his friends died in the war, Goggins began long-distance running to raise money. In 2005, Goggins entered the 24 hour race in San Diego and was able to run 100 miles in under 19 hours, despite never having run a marathon before. Since then, Goggins competed in many different long distance running events such as the Las Vegas Marathon and the Badwater 135 miler, where he placed highly. By November, 2008, Goggins had raised $200,000 for the soldiers' families.

In 2008 he was named a "Hero of Running" by Runner's World.The Warrior: David Goggins

The Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon is a self-sufficient run over seven days, covering an approximate distance of . The event takes place in the Kalahari Desert in the proximity of the Augrabies Falls on the Orange River. The route traverses the Augrabies Falls National Park, private game parks including Khamkirri, Thorntree and Dabaras and many private farmlands. This contrasting environment with average day temperatures reaching in excess of 40 °C and dropping to below 5 °C at night presents a daunting challenge to the extreme athlete and determined adventurer alike.

Known as the 'Big Daddy' in the South African running circles, the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon is a prestigious event organised by Extreme Marathons, and has its place on the International Calendar of similar trail events. Participants run in the footsteps of the ancient Bushmen, through the fertile vineyards of the Orange River Valley, across rocky outcrops and into the desolate Great Kalahari Desert.