Here are two books filled with inspiration for any trail enthusiast – whether you're an ultrarunner, trail runner, casual jogger, or a hiker. These books are not just about running; they're gateways to unforgettable journeys and destinations that hopefully inspire your own personal journey. Ultrarunning Europe This book is a treasure trove of many scenic routes across Europe. With 40 detailed accounts of trails across all of Europe, each trail is more than just a run; it's an exploration of culture, history, and breathtaking landscapes. What's great about "Ultrarunning Europe'' is its versatil ..read more

This blog is about finding new places to run, especially ultrarunning destinations. As such, I’m glad I came across a new website this week, wandrer.earth that tracks unique miles you’ve run all over the world. It integrates with Strava and then presents your running data in an alternative view by keeping track of how many unique miles you’ve run, not just how far you’ve run. By aggregating all of your running data and presenting it visually, it’s a great way to see where you haven’t run locally and globally. Despite logging nearly 1,000 miles (1600km) this year, wandrer.earth’s metrics reinfo ..read more

On a recent work trip to Salt Lake City, Utah, I had the opportunity to run a new trail in one of my favorite places, the Cottonwood Canyons (Big, and Little) in the Wasatch Range. The convenience of their accessibility makes them stand out as a great location to ski and to hike in the mountains. Within roughly 15-20 minutes, one can transition from a hotel lobby to a trailhead, ready to embark on an epic run. Given its proximity to my work locations in Salt Lake City, my typical choice of stay is the Hyatt Place Cottonwood right at the entrance to Big Cottonwood Canyon. This time, however, I ..read more

2023 Runner Gift Guides At Ultrarunning Destinations, we put our gear to the test every day. With thousands of miles under our belt on both roads and trails, we have a good sense of what a trail or ultra runner would appreciate as a gift. We're also well-versed in practical gifts that recipients will actually use, all while ensuring recommendations that fit within your budget. Our top gift guides for 2023 are: 10 of the best Ultrarunner and Trail Runner Gift Ideas We even came up with 10 more of the best Ultrarunner and Trail Runner Gift Ideas. But, not everyone is into ultrarunning, so we als ..read more

Ultrarunning is more than just a sport; it’s a calling for me. Stepping into the world of the ultrarunner means stepping beyond the familiar and embracing the extraordinary. Drawing from my experiences and training articles on this blog, UltrarunningDestinations.com, let's delve into the essence of running ultra distances and the lifestyle of an ultrarunner. Beyond Standard Distances Becoming an ultrarunner isn’t just about adding extra miles beyond the marathon's 26.2. It's a transformative journey. Running ultra distances takes you to uncharted terrains, testing your limits both physically a ..read more

A lot of people, even those who run, often ask me the question, “What is ultra running?” At its core, ultra running refers to any running distance that exceeds the traditional marathon length of 26.2 miles (42.195 kilometers). However, ultra running, as chronicled in my adventures on this blog, goes beyond just distance. Ultra running is about pushing boundaries, both of the body and of the mind. And for my own definition, it's more than just the mileage. It's about challenging myself in oftentimes extreme weather, across difficult terrain, in unknown territory. Ultra running often introduces ..read more

Sometimes the best trail to run is the one right outside your door. On my recent trip to the Yukon Territory in Canada I found myself with an extra day in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada because wildfires were blocking the road to another town I’d planned to stay in, Mayo, Yukon, Canada. After a few days in Dawson City, Yukon, Canada, where I had an amazing run to Grizzly Lake in the Tombstone Territorial Park, I drove back to Whitehorse. I looked at runs on Montana Mountain, and also one of the most famous, the Chilkoot Trail, but decided they were too far or required too much advanced planning. Th ..read more

While Jack London arrived in Dawson City, Yukon, Canada, in pursuit of gold, he struck literary wealth instead, penning classics such as White Fang and The Call of the Wild after he returned to California. Both books were favorites of mine, and The Sea-Wolf, while in school, so it was a great opportunity to see where the ideas of these books were conceived. Similarly, Robert Spencer, celebrated as one of the most successful poets ever, channeled his Yukon experiences into many poems and books. During my recent Dawson City trip, I glimpsed the inspiring landscapes, human experiences, and rugged ..read more

Podcasts are great ways to learn about trail and ultra running from experts, adventurers, and just regular people doing amazing things. With the growth in trail, and especially ultra running, there are now many podcasters putting out great content regularly. Podcasts are a personal preference, so try them out and I hope you find one that resonates with you! DizRuns Inspired by the profound conversations that often emerge during a shared run, Diz Runs Radio podcast was born. This show goes beyond the mere sport of running, delving into the unique stories, experiences, and life perspectives of i ..read more

I’ve been fortunate in my work travels to have so many opportunities to travel to amazing locations across Europe for extreme trail runs. These experiences gave me the context to appreciate the beauty, and difficulty, of the trails in Ohrid, Macedonia. Ohrid is one of the best locations for an ultrarunning destination in Europe given the closeness of extreme runs to the town, the beautiful clear lake to relax in after a difficult run, and the quaint town on the lake with tourist sites, great food, and excellent views. Once you are there, you can see why it’d been selected as a UNESCO World Her ..read more