Upper Midwest Trail Runners

We’re looking forward to having you join us for a great season of trail running in 2012! Don’t forget to renew your membership!

1. When and how did you start running? When did you start running trails?

I got into running purely by circumstance. I moved to a new town at the beginning of 7th grade and they didn’t have football so I signed up for Cross Country. It was part-way through the season so when I showed up for my first practice, the team was instructed to run eight miles with the possibility of using several shorter turnarounds. I didn’t want to look bad on my first day so I ran with the leaders. Eventually, no one but me and one 8th grade runner were left and we did the entire eight miles. That’s when I realized that I actually liked running.

2. Tell about a memorable race or trail you’ve run.

My most memorable race is … Continue Reading

The UMTR organized several fun runs last summer and fall and we are looking forward to doing the same in 2012! This is a great way to explore new trails and meet new training partners.

Get a jump on this year’s fun runs by joining John Kendrick as he leads a run on the winter hiking trails at Lebanon Hills. We will run about 7 miles without ever running the same trail twice or running on the designated ski trails. Meet in the parking lot at Jensen Lake closest to Pilot Knob Road. We will meet at the Kiosk above signpost #2 at 12:00 on Sunday, February 5.

Planning ahead, we are recruiting run leaders for fun runs throughout the season!! We are aiming for the first Wednesday of each month May through September at various locations, with the runs beginning at 6:30pm. We can add more dates if there is interest. … Continue Reading

1. When and how did you start running? When did you start running trails?

I ran track and cross country in high school but I didn’t get into any distance running until my last semester in college. A friend convinced me to run Grandma’s Marathon with him. I had a blast and have been hooked ever since. I really didn’t start running trails until 2009, when I ran the Afton 50K, my first trail race and first ultra. Until then I didn’t really know there was such a difference between trail running and road racing; I thought running was running. It’s been a lot of fun getting to know more about trail running and the community.

2. Tell about a memorable race or trail you’ve run.

One of the … Continue Reading

Series creator and director, Phillip Gary Smith, introduces readers to the Gnarly Bandit – read the write-up here.

2012 Gnarly finisher Adam Schwartz-Lowe comments on his experience – read the write-up here.

1. When and how did you start running? When did you start running trails?

I first started running when I was about 11. My family had adopted a dog that appeared at our doorstep, and since she had more energy than any sentient being would possess, I thought it would be a good idea to take her running. Most of our runs started with her nearly dragging me down the driveway as I struggled to move my legs fast enough to stay vertical. A long run was two laps around our neighborhood, about a mile.

I kept up this routine while trying out a variety of school sports. In eighth grade, when middle school sports were cut and softball was no longer an option, I tried out for the high school track team … Continue Reading

In addition to the popular UMTR Trail Run and Ultra series, a new marathon-only series will be offered in 2012. A tentative schedule is posted on the Trail Marathon page in our Trail Series section. Additional information will be added as it becomes available, but feel free to register for the series when you renew your membership. If you have already renewed your membership and would like to be added to the marathon series, please use our Contact Us page to drop us a message.