Trail Waves

Trail Waves

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Run.fund and the Future of Prize Money in Trail Running
How crowdfunded prize pools could reshape race economics, athlete incentives, and fan participation in the sport.
 • Seth LaReau
The Trail Running MBA
A year-end review of the ideas, economics, and culture shaping the sport.
 • Seth LaReau
The Art and Science of Betting on Yourself
How bootstrapping and outside funding shape the brands, athletes, and creators in the trail running economy.
 • Seth LaReau
The Trail Running Shoe Sponsor Power Rankings (December 2025 Edition)
The year-end ranking of trail shoe brands based on race performance and non-scientific sponsorship data.
 • Seth LaReau
Is Trail Running Becoming Too Saturated?
A breakdown of the supply, demand, and differentiation strategies across shoes, nutrition, races, and coaching. Why this "crowding" might be the start…
 • Seth LaReau
5 Things Trail Running Quietly Got Right in 2025
A gratitude-filled reflection on the small wins, cultural shifts, and behind-the-scenes progress shaping the sport.
 • Seth LaReau
The One Event U.S. Trail Running is Missing (And How to Build It)
Marin County once hosted the perfect mid-November championship. Six years later, we have the location, the demand, and the blueprint for a world-class…
 • Seth LaReau
The State of Ultrarunning Growth in Three Charts
What the latest finish data says about who's joining the sport, how fast it's growing, and where the biggest business opportunities lie.
 • Seth LaReau
Trail Running Nutrition Subscriptions: Convenience, Cost Savings, and the Future
Exploring how recurring nutrition plans benefit runners, brands, and the sport as a whole.
 • Seth LaReau
Trail Waves
Trail Waves
Exploring the Business, Finance, and Culture of Trail Running.
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