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TRAIL RUNNER'S WORLD
By Nancy Hobbs
BIO
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| If it has to do with trail running, it has to do with Nancy Hobbs. |
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I've been running trails and directing running events since the mid-80s. I've had articles and photographs in Trail Runner , Ultrarunning, Running Times , and Runner's World . I conduct talks and slide shows, consult on various running projects locally, regionally, and nationally and am the co-author of The Ultimate Guide to Trail Running .
Buzz Burrell once called me the 'soccer mom' of trail running. I don't know what to think about that, but I am the founder and Executive Director of the All American Trail Running Association, a council member of the World Mountain Running Association, manager of the Teva US Mountain Running Team, chair of the International Association of Ultraruners (IAU) Championship Trail Task Force, chair of the USATF Mountain Ultra Trailrunning Council, and vice chair of long distance running within USATF Colorado Association.
I live in Colorado Springs with dogs Rylee and Myles, cats Luna and Shiloh, and my Thoroughbred gelding Calvin.
TRAIL HISTORY
I started running seriously while training for my first race while a Junior in college. I became hooked when I surpassed my goal to average an eight minute pace for the 10km. That was 26 years ago.
I started my career as a running administrator after getting my masters degree and wanted to stay in Colorado (as opposed to accepting a job offer with the CIA in the Beltway). There was a series gaining some momentum, the Triple Crown of Running , one race of which was the Pikes Peak Marathon, and I was hired as an administrator by the company that was awarded the contract. When they folded, I contracted individually with the board of the TCR which I administered for the next 8 years. I also directed the RRCA Convention in 1998. My last year with the TCR I successfully entered our first women's team in the World Mountain Running Trophy and have been the women's manager since '95 and now the team manager for the past six years.
I got on a bunch of boards and committees because I couldn't say no!
THE ACRONYMS!
USATF
Unites States of America Track and Field grew out of the AAU ( Amateur Athletic Union ). The former was messed up, supporting itself more than the athletes. Then TAC came along (The Athletes Congress) which finally morphed into the USATF which is the official sanctioning body for our country. The IAAF (International Association of Athletic Federations) is the powerful international organizing body, and if we want to participate on that level or in Olympic events, we go thru the USATF.
I was the Vice-Chair of Colorado USATF.
MUT
The Mountain, Ultra, and Trail Council of the USATF was formed at the Orlando convention in 1998 after complaints that the USATF was focused on track and field, and ignored the huge participation and interest in these non-Olympic sports. Their initial suggestion was to call us "Extreme Running" but of course that's not how we saw ourselves, so I suggested we call ourselves the "MUT" Council. Even though "mountain" and "ultra" disciplines are different, we banded together into one group the hopes of achieving a greater voice.
I'm the Chair of the MUT Council.
WMRA
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| Not nearly as much fun as going for a run; Nancy Hobbs with the WMRA Council |
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The World Mountain Running Association was formed around 1983. It is the international organizing body for the sport we call "trail running" and the rest of world calls "mountain running". Mountain racing is a popular and respected sport in Europe.
Credibility was added to our sport with the recent inclusion of Mountain Running as part of the European Championships, which was done in conjunction with the IAAF. Now we're shooting for having Mountain Running be an event in the Commonwealth Games. It would be great if the Olympics were next, but much development work would have to be done first.
I'm the Treasurer of the WMRA.
World Trophy Race
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| La Sportiva GoLite's Anna Pichrtova (#13) with Chris Lundy (#69) close behind |
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The "World Trophy" or World Trophy Race is the name given to the world championships of mountain running and organized by the WMRA. Countries bid to host this race two years in advance. Last year it was in Wellington, New Zealand - a fabulous venue as the Kiwi's are fervent fans - and this year it will be in Bursa, Turkey. 10,000 people lined the course in Wellington - you should have been there, it was fabulous. The sport got good coverage and people in the US finally noticed how exciting mountain running is. The WMRA Council next wants to bring the Trophy Race to near a metropolitan area, and to the United States in particular. We just need the dollars to put it together. And TV. TV would be a big boost.
In a historic compromise between the British and the Italians - two hotbeds of mountain racing - the Trophy Race alternates between up/down courses (favored by the Brits) and uphill only (favored by the Italians). The courses are no longer than 14km in length, are steep but not super technical, are not set high above sea level, and ... are run very fast. Americans, who are used to ultrarunning and may view trail running as a relaxing jog through the woods, are sometimes shocked by the talented and competitive nature of international mountain running.
In addition to the Trophy Race, this is 3rd year for the WMRA World Mountain Running Long Distance Challenge. This year Pike Peak is the LD Championship; next year it will be the Jungfrau Marathon in Switzerland. And this is the 6th year for the Masters World Mountain Running Championships, which will be contested in Switzerland.
Teva US National Team
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| U.S. Women celebrate Team bronze at the 2004 World Trophy. |
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Each year the US puts together a team of five men and four women, and sends them to the Trophy Race. They earn a place on the Team by placing at Qualifying Races in the US. A Junior Team also competes at the same venue.
I'm National Team Manager.
2006 is an "uphill" year. The qualifying races are Mount Washington , Loon Mountain (also in New Hampshire), and Vail .
FSA
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| It's called "mountain running" in Europe for a reason - Luglio Pellissier racing a FSA course, courtesy M Casalini |
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The Federation for Sport at Altitude was the vision of Marino Giacometti and Lauri van Houten to create a series of international events that took place at high altitudes, on steep trails or off trails, and in various sports. Fila became a major sponsor of the program; they were both based in Italy. These might have been the brief "glory days" of the sport, as Fila invested hundreds of thousands of dollars.
At one time there were fairly active FSA governing bodies in Italy, France, Spain, USA, and Mexico. There were events in Nepal, Europe, Asia, and USA supported by FSA, each with a component of science, athletic competition, and plenty of PR. A race was once held up one of the Mexican volcanoes, and I helped stage races on exciting courses outside of Aspen. Many remarkable events were staged under the auspices of the FSA, including a very fast record time climbing/running Aconcagua, and Matt Carpenters still-standing high altitude marathon record of 2:52:57 - set at an elevation of 14,350 feet.
Initially the "SkyRaces" were by invitation only. Some good athletes didn't get in, while others received significant sponsorship. This made it very competitive and exciting, but mass participation was not encouraged. This was in contrast with our egalitarian style in the USA, where we felt that by encouraging more participants and more events, we'd ultimately build more support and recognition.
When Fila pulled out, the whole scene contracted. However, the FSA still puts on the World Series, and their events remain some of the most challenging and exciting races in the world of running.
I was the FSA race organizer in the US and on the Board until recently.
AATRA
The All American Trail Running Association was formed in 1996. A group of industry leaders, trail/mountain runners, media reps, and administrators got together in Denver in the summer of 1995 to discuss the "state of the sport." At the meeting someone passed around a USA Today article about trail running - the article quoted someone from the American Hiking Association because no organization existed to comment on trail running. In starting AATRA I surveyed a list of folks electronically to find out what they wanted and the main thing was a calendar. I decided to get AATRA incorporated as a 501(c)3 and get a few folks to sit on a board of directors and off I went in search of charter members at the $25 level. Our membership for individuals is still $25! Since 1996 I have produced more than 35 newsletters (Trail Times), we've grown our membership at the individual, club, race, and corporate levels and produce the most accurate trail running calendar around.
I remain the Executive Director of AATRA.
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
For years there was no recognition of mountain runners through USATF. In fact, there was no recognition of the sport by USATF period - except for a $150 budget from men's LDR (Long Distance Running) for the men's team, who traveled to the World Trophy Race with their own funds. $100 of that went to the annual WMRA dues, and the other $50 went for phone calls and postage stamps. The Team would get a few uniforms from Nike ... most of the time it was left over gear and often didn't match. The only criteria to make the Team was: 1) you can afford your own plane ticket; 2) you can run decently; 3) you can take time off work.
Amazingly, the men ran well enough to earn a few trips to the podium (one gold medal and one silver medal). The Women's Team, self-selected with the same criteria, started out at the bottom; 35th or so was the best place. It wasn't until 2002 that a woman broke the top ten. With actual funding, a selection process, and motivated athletes, the Women nabbed a bronze medal in 2004 and continue to improve as a team and individually.
The MUT budget has now "grown" to about $5,000. This covers everything: mountain, ultra, trail, and all their national championships, a national 100km team, selection criteria for the mountain running team, runner of the year awards, postage, phone calls, conference calls, and banners.
The best memory for me was when the girls won the Team Bronze at Sauze d'Oulx. It was our 10th year, and we had gone from the very bottom to one point short of a Team Silver medal.
WHATS NEXT
I may consider running for the WMRA presidency when Danny Hughes retires. As the only woman on the WMRA Council and the first-ever rep from the USA it would be another interesting challenge. I plan to stay involved in trail and mountain running - after 20+ years it is a huge part of my life. Running has seen me through a lot of life lessons and relationships (good and not so good) and has always been a constant - even when I'm injured since I've always remained involved as an administrator. As sort of an "expat" of New Zealand there's a chance that I'll move back to the Land of the Long White Cloud where I'll live on a farm and run a small bakery with scones, brownies, and cookies on the menu. I have some very dear friends there and love the pace, the country, and the people.
For now I'm taking one day at a time. I have a fun job with the county parks department, I live in a quiet neighborhood with deer and fox running through my yard, really cool pets, connection with trail and mountain running on the local, national, and international scene, and some friends I can count on no matter what.
Laura Haefeli (8th overall, top American) and her mother share a happy moment in Wellington.
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