Sports
How Trail Running Has Changed Over the Last 15 Years
Manuela Vilaseca breaks down technical leaps in nutrition, gear, and pacing, comparing the grassroots era to today's scene.
In a conversation with Sidney Togumi, Manuela Vilaseca details the transformation of trail running over the past 15 years. The ultramarathoner compares the early days of self-sufficiency and gear scarcity with the modern era of high performance and split-second transitions. She also explains how 200-mile races are reviving the original spirit of the sport.
Over the last 15 years, trail running has undergone a radical transformation that has rewritten course records, revolutionized gear, and reshaped the athlete mindset. Speaking on the STEMMA na Trilha podcast, ultramarathoner Manuela Vilaseca looked back on the start of her journey around 2011—when she took on the classic La Misión race—and highlighted that the driving force behind this evolution has been the profound professionalization of the sport. While tackling 100 miles once felt like an enigma shrouded in training guesswork, the discipline is now grounded in scientific research and structured training methodologies.
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From Gear Scarcity to Scientific Precision
This technical leap becomes clear when comparing the resources of the past with those available today. Early in the last decade, the market offered very few specialized shoe options, which were largely limited to rigid Salomon models without the variety of global brands seen on the trails today. Sports nutrition was equally rudimentary: hard energy bars were the primary fuel during freezing, multi-hour efforts, whereas modern runners rely on advanced lab testing to pinpoint exact sodium loss and formulate customized carbohydrate and electrolyte replenishment plans.
Race Pace and Formula 1-Style Transitions
This scientific evolution has directly altered race dynamics. Years ago, 100-mile events kicked off at a conversational, cautious pace, and the core strategy was simply to survive without blowing up along the way. Today, the pack goes out fast and sustains an aggressive tempo from start to finish. Aid stations have turned into high-speed operations reminiscent of Formula 1 pit stops, where support crews swap pre-packed vests in seconds and refuel athletes without losing a beat. Races like UTMB showcase this new reality, with Courmayeur transitions clocked at around two minutes and podium finishes decided by mere seconds.
Reviving Self-Sufficiency in 200-Mile Races
For those who experienced the pioneering era of pure self-sufficiency—such as the historic editions of La Misión, where runners carried all their own gear, food, and safety equipment in their packs—today's hyper-competitive pace can stir a sense of nostalgia. According to Manu Vilaseca, 200-mile races are where that original connection to the mountains and the inner journey is reborn. These extreme distances still demand far more than pure speed: they require race intelligence, sleep management skills, and the mental resilience to handle deep isolation in the wild.
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