🗞 The Scoop: Approachable American Short Trail by EmKay

If you’re one of our long-time listeners then you know that one of the reasons Dani and I started the Sub Hub Podcast was that we felt short trail races were a much more accessible avenue into this sport than ultra. I mean, how many people enjoy spending their weekends on the trails with friends but don’t have the time or the money to invest in a 100 mile training plan? I’d say most of us! Since its a new year and lots of things are changing in the short trail world, I thought I would give my opinion on the most approachable (maybe not always accessible) series and races in this sport.

I’m going to start off this piece by saying…check out your local races first! Destination races can be exciting, but some of my most fun days have been at races that are in my backyard. If you’re a Northern California or Northern Nevada based athlete, the Silver State 50/50 Half Marathon and 50K are incredible options for a local and well-organized event. My other two favorite local races are FOURmidable 50K and the Way Too Cool 50K…both of which offer shorter distance races than 50K. The Canyons Endurance Runs are also on that list, but UTMB races are continuing to become for difficult to get into every year. It can be fun (and approachable) to line up close to home where you know which bed you’re sleeping in, what food you get to eat and which friends you’re going to hang out with after.

BUT, if you’re looking for a vacation with a race to add to your schedule, what are the best options? I think all uphill races are always the best option. One of the hardest things for many people to train for confidently and excel at is the downhill parts of a trail race. No matter where you live, you can likely find a treadmill with 15% grade to train on as well as get some flat workouts in to increase fitness for an all uphill race.

Some shorter vertical races include:

• Broken Arrow Ascent in Olympic Valley, CA

• Dragon’s Back Ascent in Mammoth Lakes, CA

• Lone Peak Vertical Kilometer in Big Sky, MT

• Loon Mountain Race in Lincoln, NH

• Rendevous Mountain Hill Climb in Jackson, WY

• Race the Cog in Gorham, NH

A few longer uphill races:

• Pikes Peak Ascent in Manitou Springs, CO

• Cerro Gordo Silver Run in Keeler, CA

• Mountain Washington Road Race in Gorham, NH

So strap on those trails shoes and start running uphill! We hope to see y’all out at one of these iconic uphill races in the future. And if you think I’m absolutely CrAzY for suggesting uphill races as approachable, shoot us a DM and let us know what you’re favorite short trail races are!

Sub Hub Stories: Cirque Series - An Evolution🏔️

We interviewed Tom Hooper and Steve White in a podcast episode to dive deeper into the new races that Cirque Series has added to their calendar this year. The episode will come out this Friday, March 5. In the meantime, you can learn more about this year’s Cirque Series with these answers from Race Director Steve White.

What inspired the creation of the Cirque Series, and how did it all begin?

Julian Carr and his dog, Lexie, were frequently lapping the notorious Mount Olympus in the Central Wasatch. Mount Olympus is a 7 mile and roughly 4,300 foot out-and-back trail that averages 24% grade, with the final quarter mile summit scramble approaching 40% grade. In other words, it's steep. Julian felt like he was building strong mountain fitness and wanted to sign up for a race that emulated his training: less than 10 miles, steep and technical climbing and descending, and summit views. At the time, there were few races, none domestic (Mt Marathon in Alaska being the only exception), that existed that fit the bill. Seeing that there was a major hole in the industry, Julian decided to start the Cirque Series as he felt the primal feeling of standing on a peak with friends is unbeatable.

The Cirque Series started in Utah and has gradually expanded to Colorado, Wyoming, Washington, and the East Coast. What motivated the decision to expand beyond Utah?

In our first season, 2015, we produced races in Utah (Alta, Snowbird, Deer Valley) & Colorado (Crested Butte).  We've always envisioned a nationwide series.  We are grateful to be expanding to new mountain communities, as the people at each mountain are just as interesting as the mountain itself.  Cirque Series is a celebration of the high alpine & showcases the people that make the communities at each venue special.  

Are there plans to evolve the Cirque Series into a true points-based series that potentially requires qualification for a championship or final?

There has been much internal discussion to determine what model would suit Cirque Series best. The direction we see it going in the next year is to modify the way points are acquired by runners throughout the season, using only the best four or five results from the season, minimizing the need to travel for all races. By changing this, we hope that the overall series winner is an elite that intentionally crafted their schedule to prioritize Cirque Series and had multiple podium performances during the season. We understand there are other premier events that are instrumental in an athlete's professional development and it's unrealistic to believe an elite could make it to each event in an ever-expanding series. With that said, be on the lookout for a specific "Final" down the road.

What do you believe sets the Cirque Series apart from other trail running race series?

Our vision is to create an experience, not just a race. We believe the key components to creating a memorable experience are fourfold: an inspiring and technical course, at least one summit bop, a party waiting for participants at the finish line and an all-inclusive environment.

How do you decide which new locations or races to add to the Cirque Series? What qualities are you looking for?

As we have expanded the Series, we try to ensure that any addition to the Series acts as an extension to what's already in place. When we think of Cirque Series courses, a couple defining characteristics include: steep, technical, and intuitive. We're running up and down a mountain in the most efficient way possible.

There are logistical considerations as well, like assessing the facilities provided by a ski resort, safety access, proximity to established running communities, and market saturation. 

For someone new to trail running, or new to the Cirque Series, what’s the most important thing they should know before toeing the start line?

You're in for a good time! At the end of the day, that's why we're out here. Our courses aren't designed to be limited to a certain demographic. We have had participants as young as 6 and as wise as 82 years old. We truly believe that with the right training, they are attainable for everyone.

If you had to describe the Cirque Series in just three words, what would they be?

Energetic, Inspiring, and Extreme

Trail Throwback

Trail Throwback is our space for the stat junkies (like us 🙃), history buffs, and trail nerds who love connecting the dots between past and present spotlighting the performances and people who helped build the sport we love.

Before Golden Tickets andbefore global circuits, the early-season calendar in the U.S. revolved around two defining races: Way Too Cool 50K and Chuckanut 50K.

Year after year, strong performances at Way Too Cool and Chuckanut have signaled who is ready for a big season ahead. These races show who built real fitness over the winter and who is prepared to compete at the highest level. Way Too Cool rewards speed and efficiency, while Chuckanut rewards strength and resilience. Together, they’ve long served as early indicators of both fitness and athlete identity.

Decades later, they still play that same role, quietly connecting generations and reminding us that every season begins by answering one simple question: Who did the work this winter?

These classics by the numbers..

Way Too Cool 50K🐸

• Founded: 1990

• Location: Cool, California

• Elevation Gain: ~4,000 ft

• Distance: 50K (31.1 miles)

• Founders: Pat and Sandy Whyte (Sierra Express Running Club)

• Course Record (Men): 3:04:48 — Patrick Smyth (2015)

• Course Record (Women): 3:41:56 — Megan Roche (2015)

• Race Director / Organizer: NorCalUltras (Julie Fingar)

• Known for: Fast, highly runnable terrain

Chuckanut 50K🌲

• Founded: 1993

• Location: Fairhaven, Washington

• Elevation Gain: ~5,000 ft

• Distance: 50K (31.1 miles)

• Course Record (Men): 3:26:31 — Francesco Puppi (2024)

• Course Record (Women): 4:01:23 — Jodee Adams-Moore (2013)

• Race Director: Krissy Moehl

• Known for: Technical ridgelines, exposed mountain terrain

Trail Training Tip: March Means Mechanics

As I’ve returned from injury this winter, one of the first things I intentionally reintroduced into my routine has been running form drills. I’ve committed to them every Monday, and the payoff has been immediate. My stride feels coordinated, responsive, and efficient despite taking 4 months completely off, and I know that is largely due to drills.

This time of year, many athletes are coming out of a winter filled with cross-training—biking, elliptical, swimming, skiing. These are incredible tools for building aerobic fitness while reducing impact, and they play an essential role in long-term development. But none of them perfectly replicate the specific neuromuscular demands of running.

Running is a skill. And like any skill, it needs to be practiced.

Form drills help rebuild that skill. They reinforce coordination, posture, stiffness, and timing, the small details that allow you to translate fitness into forward motion efficiently.

Form drills should ideally be part of your routine year-round, but spring is an especially important time to bring them back with intention. They help bridge the gap between general fitness and running-specific performance—and set the foundation for the faster work that lies ahead.

Here is a great video from one of the great american track athletes, Olympian Charli Hawkins.