Group Runs for Everyone in 2025: Embracing the Social Side of Trail and Ultra Running

Table of Contents Show

While trail and ultra running often involve hours of solitary exploration, group runs can add a fun, social, and challenging element to your training. However, finding a group run that caters to your specific needs and goals can be tricky.

Here are some ideas to make group runs more appealing and approachable for every runner, regardless of their experience level or goals.

Assessing Individual Needs and Goals

Before hitting the trails, take some time to understand the goals of each participant. This can be done through a group chat or a quick round-table discussion. This helps ensure the group runs are designed to accommodate everyone’s needs, whether building endurance, improving speed, or simply enjoying the camaraderie. ExoTrails App is a good resource for selecting a trail nearby or popular ones.

Designing Inclusive Routes

Choose routes that allow runners to spread out based on their fitness levels and objectives. Hill repeats, out-and-back courses, and multi-loop courses are all great options. Hill repeats, in particular, can be motivating and inclusive, as runners will pass each other multiple times, offering encouragement and kudos along the way.

Out-and-Back Routes

Out-and-back routes offer a similar dynamic to hill repeats. The group can circle back every 5-10 minutes, “picking up” the back of the pack. Alternatively, slower runners can turn around before reaching the end and run a shorter distance than those continuing to the turnaround point. This allows everyone to see each other at least once during the outing, providing encouragement and fostering a sense of community.

Multi-Loop Courses

Short loop routes offer another inclusive option. By running multiple loops or using a “washing machine” method, where the direction of the route is reversed each time the start/end point is reached, runners are likely to pass each other multiple times. This creates more opportunities for interaction and allows each person to adjust the distance and duration based on their individual needs.

Larger Groups

For larger group runs with 15-20 or even more participants, splitting into smaller groups based on distance, pace, or both can be beneficial. This increases the odds that more participants’ needs will be met and may also increase attendance.

ExoTrails App has a useful feature called Group Tracking. We allow users to organize from small-to-large groups and share live location tracking of everyone. At the same time, each group member can also access trail marking, online and offline maps, fitness stats, and leaderboard for elevating performance.

Consistency is Key

Sticking to the same day and time, week after week, provides a reliable and predictable schedule that encourages participation. Just like a physical business benefits from consistent hours, a group run that changes times, locations, or days of the week can disenfranchise runners. Consistency is key to growing the number of participants and fostering a strong community.

Group runs offer a fantastic opportunity to meet new people, share experiences, and learn from others. They can be a source of motivation, inspiration, and support, making your training journey more enjoyable and fulfilling.

While group runs may not be your first choice, they can be a surprisingly fun way to change up your routine and connect with fellow trail and ultra runners. Embrace the social aspect, be open to new experiences, and you might just discover a whole new dimension to your running journey.

Download ExoTrails App & add value to your group runs!

0 0 votes

Article Rating