In 2005, Temple University college student Liz Pagonis walked into the Philadelphia Runner store to shop for shoes. She’d been running for fitness and “to get around the city,” she says. She soon joined the store’s group runs, then began working the retail floor part-time. She soon became a full-time employee. Ten years later, she’s the store’s chief marketing officer.

Pagonis says joining group runs helped her connect to the city’s running community. With more than 50 running clubs to choose from, the community runs deep in Philly. “A lot of runners run with different clubs throughout the week,” says Pagonis. “There’s a thread that weaves us all together.”

Runners can retrace the steps of the nation’s founding fathers and visit numerous historical landmarks, run along the path bordering the Schuylkill River, or channel their inner Rocky and charge up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and past the bronze statue of the character himself.

Beginning runners and those looking to knock out fast mile splits will be happy to know that Philly has a predominantly flat landscape.

Routes

: It’s hard to picture running Philly without a nod to the “Rocky steps” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Pay homage with a trip up the 72 iconic stairs, then head for this multiuse recreational path that leads from City Center, just behind the museum, and parallels the river on both sides (Kelly Drive on the east and Martin Luther King Drive on the far west side). The path extends for more than 100 miles, connecting the city to the suburbs. “Eventually it’s going to connect to Delaware,” says Pagonis. An 8.4-mile loop, referred to by locals as the Loop, starts behind the museum.

: Roughly 50 miles of trails wind through this urban park, but runners favor Forbidden Drive, named so because cars were banned from the packed-dirt and gravel road in the 1920s. The route hugs the Wissahickon Creek for 5.5 miles. “There are a ton of trails that you can connect to,” says Pagonis. “It’s in the woods, and you would never actually think you’re in the city. It’s just a really beautiful area.”

: “You’re literally retracing the founding fathers’ footsteps,” says Pagonis. You could go see the Liberty Bell or run past Benjamin Franklin’s house.” Touring historic spots by foot, from Independence Hall to the President’s House (home to George Washington and John Adams when Philadelphia was the U.S. capital, from 1790 to 1800) gives you about a 5K run, says Pagonis.

More Options: The Boxers’ Trail, where Joe Frazier trained and young boxers still train today, winds through the city’s Fairmount Park. An annual Boxers’ Trail 5K is held each September. The John Hines National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, or Tinicum for short, is “just a really quiet, beautiful part of Philadelphia that I think is very underutilized,” says Pagonis. “There’s not a lot of people down there, so you’re kind of alone with your thoughts. There’s good space to get in a solid run.”

Events

: Philly’s flat terrain is a recipe for success when it comes to higher-mileage races. Take the Philadelphia Distance Run, a half-marathon held in usually ideal temperatures each September. “At least six different half marathon world records have been set at the Philadelphia Distance Run,” says Pagonis. This event was among the first to offer elite nonbinary prize money, she adds.

Independence Blue Cross Broad Street Run: With 35,000 runners taking part, Broad Street is the largest ten-miler in the country and has a lottery to get in. The course runs from north to south, “right through the heart of the city,” says Pagonis, and ends in the Navy Yard, which is the southernmost point of Broad Street.

Rocky Run 5K, 10-Mile, and 13.1 combined “Italian Stallion” challenge: Each November, runners toe the starting line in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art for a Rocky-themed 5K that starts at 7 a.m., or a ten-miler that starts at 8 a.m. Those who run the second race after completing the first earn a special “Italian Stallion” medal and bragging rights for having completed 13.1 miles in this fun and festive event.

More Options: The Philly 10K runs through the South Philly streets is what Pagonis calls “a local favorite.” Bands, vendors, and, some years, specialty beer brewed just for the event make the fast-and-flat course a party. The Philadelphia BMW Love Run Half Marathon takes place each March with a course that passes by many of the city’s historic landmarks. The Loop race has taken place on the 8.4 miles of the Schuylkill River Trail since 1972.

Resources

Clubs

: This 9,000-women-strong Facebook group has had a presence in Philadelphia since 2013. Its mission is twofold: encourage African American women to be active, and lower the percentage of chronic diseases associated with an unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle.

: Established in 2022 to create safe spaces for LGBTQIIA+ runners of all paces, this group hosts three free weekly runs.

: The local chapter of this national running community hosts group runs on Mondays to start the week off right. The group also meets one or two other days a week.

: This group aims to transform students’ lives through running and mentorship, delivering positive outcomes from boosting GPAs to increasing graduation rates for program participants.

Stores

: Head to 1615 Walnut Street in the Center City West neighborhood, known for its upscale shops and walkability.

: This independent and locally owned running store has locations in Center City, University City, Glen Mills, and Manayunk. The shop pride itself on personalized, professional fittings of running and walking shoes as well as sports bras.: All of this shop’s locations—in Bryn Mawr and Westchester, plus sister stores in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware—offer personalized fittings and a rewards program. The Philadelphia-area stores also host group runs.

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Boston Running Center co-founder, exercise physiologist, and running coach Joe McConkey has been a staple in the Boston running community for two decades. The dedicated runner has also coached at Newbury College and the Cambridge Running Club. At the Boston Running Center, he specializes in biomechanics and gait analysis, while also coaching individual runners.

“Boston has so many options in terms of the types of terrain for runners,” says McConkey, noting that most visitors could run along the Charles River every day and never be bored. “The river changes personalities,” says McConkey. “The further away you go from the city, the more you have nice quiet paths—almost trail running. Then, when you come back in towards Boston, you see the skyline, you run by Harvard and MIT, and then on to the picturesque esplanade in downtown Boston.”

And sure, the weather in New England can be unforgiving during the winter months, but runners in the know head to the many swiftly plowed colleges in the city, the Boston Commons, or the six miles along the Charles River Path that get snow cleared with funding from New Balance and the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Routes

: “You have to run on the river,” says McConkey. The path runs alongside the Charles River on either side for 22 miles total. Runners take advantage of nine bridges that create loops of various distances. The path extends from the Boston Museum of Science to the east, parallels Beacon Street on the river’s south side, then runs past Boston University, Harvard, Cambridge, MIT, and back to its origination point.

: Managed by the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, seven miles of park system over 1,100 acres weave through the city in a kind of trail. “They start near Fenway Park,” explains McConkey, “and then the path/trails snake through gardens and parks, alongside a creek, all the way to a couple different ponds. There’s woods and some hills there. You can do a good ten-mile run and only have to cross the street maybe a handful of times.”

: In South Boston, roughly 15 minutes from the city’s center, runners enjoy a two-mile loop along the waterfront that’s uninterrupted by stoplights, with the option to extend the run along the beachfront. It’s no longer an island, and there’s no castle, but the path around Fort Independence is scenic along the water, with sights and sounds of planes coming in and out of nearby Boston Logan Airport.

Extra Options: Boston’s 2.5-mile Freedom Trail links 16 historic places of interest, like the USS Constitution, Paul Revere’s house, and Boston Common, established in 1634 as the nation’s oldest public park. For more adventure, the Blue Hills Reservation, less than 30 minutes from the city, offers peaceful and varied trails. Or try Middlesex Fells for running that’s a bit more rugged.

Events

: You’ve heard of one big 26.2-miler in Boston, but don’t forget about the Run to Remember. This half-marathon and five-miler draws 6,000 runners. It takes place every Memorial Day weekend and pays tribute to fallen first responders, while raising money for local youth and community programs supported by first responders. “It’s a memorable course,” says McConkey. “There’s only one hill, and it runs through downtown.”

: This festive West Newton neighborhood three-mile race takes place in October. “It’s one of these races where you get your finish medal, a beer, elephant ear [fried dough], and chicken noodle soup,” says McConkey. “The Irish pub [Paddy’s Public House] that sponsors it is right at the finish line, so there’s always a good vibe and live music going. It’s a good time.”

: Red Sox fans, rejoice. In late July, runners and walkers have a chance to cover 5K or 9K through the streets of Boston before entering Fenway Park and crossing home base en route to the finish line. All participants raise money for Home Base, a nonprofit organization that provides clinical care and support free of cost to veterans. This charity event has been bringing veterans and supporters together in iconic Fenway for 15 years.

Extra options: The Boston Road Runners put on a Turkey Trot, the AAPI 5K, and a Hispanic and Latino 5K. The BAA, organizer of the Boston Marathon, hosts the BAA 10K each May through the Back Bay neighborhood in the heart of the city. About 90 minutes outside of Boston, the Cape Cod Marathon and iconic Falmouth Road Race come with an ocean view.

Resources

With more than 60 colleges and universities in the metropolitan area, McConkey says there’s always “an interesting combination of new folks in the city and long-term Boston residents.” The mix likely contributes to the “dozens, if not hundreds, of running clubs that run the gamut,” he says. “Some have been around for 100 years, and some have been around for two years. Some are social, some are serious. It’s a big running community that’s very diverse. You have regular, casual social races as well as highly competitive races throughout the year—so no matter your level or interest, you’ll find a supporting environment in Boston.”

Clubs

: Through a variety of community-based activities, this group works to make running more equitable and accessible to the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) adults residing in the Boston area.

: This nationwide organization aims to involve more African American women in the sport of running. The Boston chapter has roughly 2,000 member followers.

: This group connects students in grades 5–8 with adult mentors who meet once or twice a week throughout the school year to run and get ready for the Run to Remember 5-Miler each Memorial Day.

Stores

: With more than 6,500 square feet of running shoes and other apparel on display, this anchor location is in the Brighton neighborhood, just a few blocks off the Charles River corridor.

: Recently opened in 2023, this store carries a curated collection of New Balance running gear while aiming to act as a community space, with central seating as its focus.

: Since 1975, this retailer has been a Boston-area staple. Today it has 16 stores, including one on Boylston Street, one in Cambridge, and one in Wellesley.

: This specialty run retailer, with stores in Newton, South End, and Cambridge, has a vibrant running club called Heartbreakers, which celebrates diversity “of pace and person.”

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Discover the running potential of Los Angeles alongside as she leaves her comfort zone behind for her first running trip on the West Coast. Fortunately, she has good guidance from LA Running Connoisseur Kate Olson. The two connect over their shared love of the sport, then take to the iconic trails of Griffith Park. After assessing the city’s sheer volume and variety of both running options and running clubs, the duo meets up with a vibrant, local club that provides an instant sense of the greater community.

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Learn how humbly launched in a simple search for running companions. The growth of the now-thriving, international club is a testament to its inclusive nature. It’s also changed Kilmer’s perspective on running’s ability to connect and inspire in a dynamic city that often isolates individuals.

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Discover how running in the Windy City, and embracing its often challenging elements, builds the resiliency and mental toughness to take on the world. As prioritizes self-care throughout the seasons, the focus on wellness ripples outward to her work connecting with the city’s other passionate runners.

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You know the tired cliché: nobody walks in Los Angeles. Why not? Because it’s way more fun to run. L.A. occupies a vast 466-square-mile swath that stretches from the Pacific Ocean to the San Gabriel Mountains, which rise thousands of feet above the cityscape. In between are countless urban routes, trails, parks, and paths that weave together L.A.’s unique neighborhoods and form a sun-soaked playground for runners.

“We have so many different vibes,” says Kate Olson, founder of , an online guide to the city’s running scene.

Olson has lived and run in Los Angeles for more than 12 years, and she has experienced firsthand how the city’s varied terrain, diverse population, and enthusiastic running community create a truly epic place to run. We recently talked with her to get her recs for must-do routes, notable running events, and key resources. Consider this your invite: step into the sunshine and get ready to discover why everyone runs in L.A.

Routes

: Perhaps the most famous trail in Los Angeles, Runyon Canyon is a killer workout and an excellent place for people-watching. Road runners can ascend the paved fire road for an out-and-back adventure of 2.8 miles, and trail runners can follow a rugged three-mile loop that circles the park. It’s also a great place for dogs, with an off-leash area on a section of the paved road.

: “Everyone wants to run behind the Hollywood sign,” says Olson, and getting to the iconic landmark comes with a bonus experience: exploring the 4,200-acre Griffith Park, one of the largest municipal parks in North America. Olson suggests a three-mile out-and-back along the Aileen Getty Ridge Trail. This route features sweeping views and a stop at the Wisdom Tree (a lone pine growing atop a prominent peak) before topping out just above the Hollywood Sign.

: Not into climbing? Head to the Hollywood Reservoir for a paved 3.3-mile loop around a large body of water. In addition to panoramic views of the city and the Hollywood Sign, you might spot some local wildlife—Olson recently encountered deer while running here.

: This state park is an island of wilderness in the middle of West L.A. Start at the trailhead on Jefferson Boulevard and make a one-mile switchbacking ascent to the overlook’s 500-foot peak. Once there, you can enjoy 360-degree views of the city, including downtown skyscrapers and the Pacific Ocean. For more mileage, continue on trails to explore the adjacent .

: This is L.A., so a trip to the beach is required. Get your fix while jogging on this 22-mile paved trail—specifically the Santa Monica to Venice Beach segment. You’ll pass under the Santa Monica Pier (mid-run Ferris wheel ride?) and run through the famed Muscle Beach bodybuilder hangout. Pro tip: Make a pit stop at the Venice Beach Skatepark to watch skaters pull off all kinds of aerial stunts.

Events

: This recurring series of events closes L.A. streets to car traffic and opens them to pedestrians and cyclists—an ideal way to explore new neighborhoods and see the city from a different perspective. Recent editions showcased South L.A. and Venice Boulevard, and each route has sitting areas with food and drink vendors, so you can stop for a mid-run snack.

: You don’t have to be a baseball fan to appreciate this event. Dodger Stadium, set amid the hills of Elysian Park, is one of L.A.’s most notable landmarks, and this race series (there’s a 5K, 10K, and kids’ run) is a great way to experience it. The event is held at sunset for incredible views of the stadium, city skyline, and surrounding parkland.

: For more than 30 years, Homeboy Industries has helped formerly gang-affiliated and incarcerated people get back on their feet. This fun race, held in Chinatown, near downtown L.A., is an excellent way to support the group’s work and explore a unique corner of the city.

Local Resources

Clubs

: Olson loves Keep It Run Hundred for its welcoming, beginner-friendly atmosphere. The group hosts weekly runs in Inglewood and Culver City and places a special emphasis on supporting underserved communities in South Central L.A.

: Running with New Basin Blues is a must for anyone who’s trail curious. This club explores the best dirt routes in the L.A. region. All levels are welcome at their weekly runs on Thursdays and Sundays.

Stores

: Olson is a big fan of this independent running store in Pasadena thanks to its weekly group runs and top-tier apparel. “I am obsessed with their sock collection,” she says.

New Balance Stores: Browse the latest apparel, get your feet scanned and fitted for a pair of shoes, or meet up for a guided run at one of New Balance’s two L.A. retail locations. (There are storefronts in and .) They’re the perfect launching points for diving into the city’s running scene.

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There’s no place like New York City, especially if you’re a runner. Whether you’ve raced multiple marathons or you prefer a mellower pace, you’ll always have a new route to explore, a run club to meet up with, or an event to sign up for.

“Any kind of running experience you want to have, you can have here,” says Dave Hashim, a New York City–based who recently completed the , where he ran around the borders of all five boroughs.

For Caitlin Papageorge, president of , part of the city’s love affair with running stems from the way its citizens normally get around.

“New York is such a pedestrian city,” she says. “I think for that very reason, it sets New York up really well for a great running scene.”

Ready to experience what New York has to offer? Here’s your quickest path to connection with the city’s broad and diverse running community.

Routes

: No trip to New York is complete without a jog through Central Park. Hashim recommends following the main paved path for a seven-mile loop, but make sure to lap the Harlem Meer, in the park’s northeast corner—it’s an often overlooked but especially beautiful area.

: Stretching 12.5 miles from Battery Park all the way up to Inwood Hill Park at the northern tip of Manhattan, the Hudson River Greenway offers superb views of the Hudson River and nearby parks all along its length.

: Get off the beaten path with a four-mile run around Roosevelt Island in the East River. Both Hashim and Papageorge recommend it for its quiet atmosphere (there’s very little traffic), interesting architecture (like an abandoned smallpox hospital), and panoramic vistas of the Manhattan skyline.

: Brooklyn’s McCarren Park is a popular spot for runners thanks to its public track. Head here for a sprint workout or a warm-up lap before a longer run—just keep an eye out for obstacles like wayward soccer balls or the occasional ice cream cart cruising around in lane one.

Events

: The 5th Avenue Mile proves that short distances can attract stiff competition. Elite sprinters battle here each year, and the course itself is a star: Competitors race from 80th Street to 60th Street, passing distinguished institutions like the Frick Collection art museum.

: This 13.1-mile spring classic has become a destination race for good reason, providing a scenic tour of two boroughs packed with iconic landmarks. Join 25,000 racers on closed NYC streets, from a Brooklyn start, across the Manhattan Bridge, heading up through Times Square, to a home stretch in Central Park.

: This race takes place in Prospect Park, Brooklyn’s answer to Central Park, and honors Al Gordon, a New Yorker who began running marathons in his 80s. While the distance is short, the course showcases the park’s beautiful scenery and includes some hilly terrain for an extra challenge. “I just love being there,” says Papageorge. “It’s underrated.”

Resources

Clubs

: Looking for someone to run with? Take a tip from , a seasoned marathoner who started this club to help runners of all experience levels find community in the sport. The beginner-friendly groups gather every Saturday morning.

: This nationwide running group has a strong presence in New York City. While the group runs every Monday are a big draw, joining Endorphins also gets you access to online resources like Q&As with running coaches and physical therapists.

: This club’s mission is twofold: Increase AAPI representation in running and get New Yorkers onto the dirt. If you’re itching for trails, join one of the club’s all-are-welcome group runs, which explore the wealth of wilderness areas just a short train ride outside the city.

: Front Runners is where New York’s LGBTQ+ and running communities overlap, and the group creates a positive, inclusive atmosphere at its weekly Fun Runs. If you become a member, you can also join the group’s coached workouts and triathlon training sessions.

: Why not start the weekend a little early? Almost Friday is the group to do it with: this friendly club meets every Thursday morning on the Hudson River Greenway for a chill run by the water. It’s the perfect midweek pick-me-up.

Stores

: New Balance’s Upper West Side location—just a few strides from Central Park—will be your go-to spot for running shoes, gear, and advice. Key highlight: The store is equipped with a 3D foot scanner to help you get the perfect fit in your next pair of shoes.

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“Chicago is one of the best places in the world from May through October, with all its festivals and events,” says Dave Zimmer, “and the running scene is vibrant year-round.” The Chicago-area native should know. Zimmer and his wife, Lisa, spent the last 28 years opening Fleet Feet stores across the city. And though he admits, “you have to be kind of hardy,” to run through the winters, when it comes to routes, races, and other intangibles, Zimmer says, “Chicago is just fantastic.”

Running the Windy City starts with the bustling Lakefront Trail. Extending 18.5 miles along the Lake Michigan waterfront, north and south of downtown, the smooth, flat, and car-free path is a road runner’s paradise. Numerous running clubs offer organized group runs at all hours, seven days a week. The air coming off the lake provides a (slight) respite from humid summer heat, and there’s even a series of hydration stations on weekend mornings from June through October, staffed by Fleet Feet and the Chicago Area Runners Association.

Beyond the lure of the Lakefront, there are downtown loops under towering buildings and past iconic landmarks, plus endless targeted neighborhood runs, from touring street art in Pilsen to connecting hip eateries in Northalsted.

Routes

: It can be accessed from many parts of the city and run in either direction, north or south. “You have the spectacular Lakefront South,” says Zimmer, “where, as you are coming from the South Side towards downtown, the city opens up in front of you.” Locals call the mishmash of paths intertwining just to the south of the city the “spaghetti bowl.” Zimmer recommends heading south from there and through Museum Campus, past the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, etc. “Once you get past McCormick Place,” says Zimmer, “when you turn around, all you see is the skyline in front of you.”

The North Side, Zimmer explains, has runners up against the water. And, he adds, “you have Ohio Street Beach, North Avenue Beach, Belmont Harbor, all the way to the end of the path.”

: This refurbished rails-to-trails system just north of North Avenue is an elevated path that extends just over three miles. “The beauty of it,” says Zimmer, “is there are parks that you can peel off into.” If you just take a chance and give it a look, he adds, “It’s gorgeous, and so well done, such a great use of space.”

: This suburban soft-surface trail lines the Des Plaines River for just over 34 miles in Chicago’s Lake County, one of its many suburbs. “It’s beautiful,” says Zimmer. “And you can just keep on going north until you hit Wisconsin.”

More Options: Probably the most popular of the suburban running areas, according to Zimmer, is the trail system within the Palos Forest Preserve, or just Palos. Some 350 miles of trail weave through the area, varying from paved to gravel, and include notable elevation gain and loss otherwise hard to come by in Chicago. On the west side of the Windy City is the Prairie Path, which cuts through, you guessed it, prairies.

Events

: This smaller-scale event, held near St. Patrick’s Day each year, is always festive and kicks off the running season in Chicago, says Zimmer. Race weekend includes an 8K run, a two-mile walk, The Mile one-mile race, and no shortage of folks wearing green on the course. All events start and finish in Grant Park.

: With a start and finish line on Chicago’s West Side, in the Garfield Park neighborhood, this race travels through the boulevards, which are green-area medians that link neighborhoods. (The entire boulevard system spans 26 miles.) “It’s just spectacular,” says Zimmer of the race.

: This ten-mile race on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend sends runners through Museum Campus and along the Lake Michigan lakefront before finishing on the 50-yard line of Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears and Chicago Fire FC. Runners can watch themselves on the jumbotron as they cross the finish line.

More Options: The Charity Run starts near the home of the Cubs and finishes right in front of the iconic Wrigley Field marquee. Says Zimmer: “Ventures Endurance puts on really cool super-local events like the Bucktown 5K, which goes to the neighborhood of Bucktown. And the Ravenswood 5K on the North Side helps sustain a food pantry.” The Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA) Ready to Run 20-Miler is a point-to-point noncompetitive event along the waterfront and serves as a marathon training run for many.

Resources

Clubs

: A Chicago staple among running clubs for 25 years, this team is open to all and has coached workouts on Wednesday evenings in the Old Town neighborhood. An Elite Team option is also available.

: This group hosts seven different group runs in the three-to-six-mile range throughout the city on various days of the week. Brands often demo gear to participants.

: The local chapter of this national running group meets once or twice a week, and always on Monday mornings to start the week off on a good foot.

Stores

: This specialty run store carrying all New Balance goods is known for its excellent customer service.

: Dave and Lisa Zimmer’s eight Chicago-area stores serve runners and walkers of all ability levels under the motto “Running changes everything.”

: The locally owned, independent NRC has three locations, plus a track club and a reservable space called the Underground for events like cross-country team pasta parties. Head to the Annex location for closeout deals and limited-run merchandise.

: Located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood and connected to Heartbreak Boston, this store hosts group runs throughout the week and offers a specialty run shopping experience.

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Since there’s no wrong way to run, that means there are only right ways. For proof, check out the following handful of athletes from a larger showcase of unique runners, who came to the sport from unconventional places. Their stories prove that running can be transformative in diverse ways—sparking creativity, balancing day-job demands, and uplifting others—but always pointing the same direction forward. For this trio of content-creating media influencers in particular, running helps them to connect with the key communities that keep them inspired to live and promote the sport’s greatest benefits.

Mallory Kilmer 

The big-city organizer who creates local connections one member at a time.

is an accomplished runner with two marathons and two Ironman 70.3 triathlons under her belt. But Kilmer’s most cherished accomplishment might be the sense of community she has helped create through her New York City–based group, , which welcomes runners of all paces and running levels every Saturday morning. Each week, Kilmer creates a video highlighting a different member of No More Lonely Runs, introducing that person to the group, which has grown into the hundreds, as a way to keep the thriving community grounded.

Kilmer knows firsthand how running can build better relationships. She was an active child and always saw her father training for marathons and triathlons. When Kilmer began running as an adult, the pursuit gave her a deeper understanding of her dad and a new way to bond. “Running is an amazing connection between my dad and I,” Kilmer says, adding that when she moved to New York City, she leaned into running to help establish new connections, which led to forming No More Lonely Runs. 

“I started a running club because I had just moved to NYC and didn’t know anyone. I saw it as an opportunity to meet like-minded people and help others do the same,” Kilmer says. “Every single day, this community motivates me to be my best self—in and out of my running sneakers.” 

Jordyn Milbrath 

The competitor/creator who pushes limits across common trails. 

enjoys “trucklife” as a nomadic athlete and media creator, living out of her Toyota Tacoma with her husband, Chase Willie, as they explore trails throughout the United States. This summer, the traveling couple raced the Cirque Series, mountain running events that pit trail runners against the steep slopes of popular ski resorts throughout the Rocky Mountains. But even though Milbrath isn’t staying put, she still has roots. “The trails are where I’ve always found community,” Milbrath says. “I find that the trail community really embraces everyone willing to do something that is uncomfortable, because we all know that it’s a place for growth.”

In that collective discomfort, Milbrath finds critical support that helps her expand the limits of what she believes she’s capable of accomplishing. (This year, it was completing her first season racing as a pro.) She also finds the fuel to keep pushing. “Seeing other athletes maximize their potential is what inspires me to find mine,” says Milbrath, who helps strengthen this larger community of runners by creatively sharing her experiences training alongside and living outdoors among them.

“Everyone’s goals are different,” she adds, “and when we share those big dreams and are vulnerable with each other on the trails, it creates this safe space to go do something that scares you. And I find that really empowering.”

Chase Willie 

The nomadic creative who turns humble steps into inspired designs.

The other half of the Milbrath/Willie dynamic duo, is an accomplished mountain bike racer who has transitioned into a distance trail runner, traveling and running with his wife, Jordan Milbrath. The graphic designer by day grew up along Colorado’s Front Range in a family that prioritized spending time outdoors, led by his mother, who has been an ultrarunner since she was in college. Between his mother and his wife, Willie doesn’t have to look far to find community.

“I’m fortunate enough to be immediately surrounded by a group of inspiring female athletes,” Willie says, noting his gratitude in having a family that doubles as both running community and support system when he’s pursuing goals of his own—although, after a series of injuries had him questioning his motives, Willie now finds more pleasure in discovering new trails than podium finishes. Beyond competition, the unplugged act of running—moving through the environment at a slower pace—helps him creatively to process old ideas and generate new work endeavors. 

“I’m really trying to appreciate every step I take,” Willie says. “It’s one thing to have a community that supports ambitious goals or ideas, but it’s another thing to have a community that understands the why behind them. Having a community that relates to the importance of challenging tasks in the pursuit of personal growth is inspiring in itself.”

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