Trail running isn’t just about off-road miles; it’s also about community, being stewards of the land, and taking part in building the very places we run.

Volunteer and build trails as a way to give back and show your appreciation for the places where you run.

Building and maintaining trails takes work. And so, if you’re going to run on them regularly, it’s a good idea to consider donating volunteer hours—even if it’s just a couple of hours per month.

Along with the help of dedicated volunteers—all of whom are trail runners, Fleet Feet Sports/FrontRunner Columbus, has managed to grow the sport of trail running in an urban environment.

Here’s what owner Jeff Henderson had to say about the Columbus trail running community in a recent interview we posted on the blog:

I do a fair amount of trail running, and I grew frustrated that I had to drive an hour to find any singletrack trails. I didn't know what I was getting into when I began the process of contacting the Ohio Department of Natural Resources about the potential for building a trail in a nearby state park (watch Run This Town and learn more), but I knew that it could happen if they would grant us some land to work on.

Luck was on our side and they granted us 500 acres about five miles from our Lewis Center store. Our Rocks and Roots Trail Runners Association set out thinking we would have 10 miles of trail in a few months. That became a quick lesson in patience. It took four months just to climb through the woods and plot out the route. Building was a slow process. On a big day, we would build a quarter mile of trail. Five years later we are at 13 miles.

We have a long-term plan to complete a 50-mile trail that circumnavigates the reservoir. But the trail doesn't build itself. It needs constant maintenance. Summer growth can quickly swallow up the trails if we don't pay attention. Winter storms take down countless trees and make some areas impassable. Fortunately, though, the greatest source of trail maintenance is feet on the ground. All you need are passionate folks to get out and run the trails, give a heads up on maintenance needs, and lend the occasional helping hand.

Trail running can be a platform to advocate for public lands.

Clare Gallagher balances her running with public-lands activism. In a recent FleetFeetSports.com interview, she said:

Running is not inherently altruistic. ... That's not to say it doesn't have value, but I prefer to associate my running with issues more substantial than just running a race. Plus, I honestly race better when I think of climate change or the world’s injustices. I suppose that, too, isn't altruistic if I'm thinking of others' suffering to run better. … Regardless, I justify my running by making it about more than just me.

Interested in learning more about how you, too, can help protect public lands in your area? Check in with a local chapter of the Sierra Club.

Experience an inclusive atmosphere.

“Trail running is a rugged sport that is mainly contested in remote areas, and for lengthy amounts of time,” offers Gina Lucrezi, an elite trail runner and founder of the women’s trail running website, Trailsisters.net, a site dedicated to inspiring, educating, and empowering women interested and active in trail running. “Anyone willing to give this sport a shot is welcomed with open arms because we want everyone to succeed, and we want everyone to enjoy adventuring in the outdoors.”

Plus, with little exception, everyone at a trail race lines up at the start together—trail races rarely have elite starts or separate corrals. This creates an atmosphere of inclusivity and acceptance that, quite naturally, breeds community.

Interested in trying trail running? Check with your local Fleet Feet to see if they offer an off-road program.