Articles by Bob Crowley

The Spirit of the Trail

Huddled around the start line of the Western States 100, a motley crew blew warm air into their hands to fend off the sting of mountain air, amidst the sound…

Come for the Sport, Stay for the Community

In my childhood I loved to run, not as a sport but as an activity. We ran while playing tag, army, whiffle ball, capture the flag, to and from school and home for dinner. No one taught us how to run—it was just something...

Trailblazers: Always on the Move

Picture this: you're knee-deep in mud, your lungs are burning like a Celtics fan at a Lakers parade and your only company is a rogue squirrel and a motivational podcast that's two episodes deep into a discussion on mindf...

Beyond the Headlines: Reclaiming Our Trail Running Soul

The crisp mountain air, the rhythmic crunch of gravel, the camaraderie of shared struggle – these are the hallmarks of trail running, a sport carved not from competition, but from the pursuit of self-actualization, commu...

The Spirit of the Trail

Huddled around the start line of the Western States 100, a motley crew blew warm air into their hands to fend off the sting of mountain air, amidst the sound of nervous laughter and the smell of coffee. This was the cruc...

Head, Heart and Soul: The Future of Trail Running

Ten years ago, when we last examined the future of trail running – circa 2010 – we saw nothing but blue skies and snow-covered mountains. Our future looked bright. And that’s pretty much what happened – until it didn’t. We begin this next decade with a century worth of strife, doubt and disruption thanks to the pandemic. How could we have known?

Head, Heart and Soul: The Future of Trail Running

Ten years ago, when we last examined the future of trail running – circa 2010 – we saw nothing but blue skies and snow-covered mountains. Our future looked bright. And that’s pretty much what happened – until it d...

The Future of Trail Running

These times are unprecedented for the world and our trail running community. We have indeed been led off trail into uncharted territory. The uncertainly of our future fosters dread and even the most grit-possessed amongs...

Way Too Cool

Six hours of rain-soaked, caked-in mud, cramping and revolting muscles, frozen-to-the-core misery, “Dude, you look torn up – eat this chili, it brings you back to life,” said Mike Hernandez. Rather than eat, I proceeded...

The Beginnings of TARC 2.0

The early days of organizing the TARC Trail Series races was a comedy of errors. For the Spring Classic, Josh, Sam Jurek and I scouted the course in February after a foot of snow had fallen. Hours later after returning t...