Sports
The Trail Running Boom and Its Impact on Host Towns
Depa and Sidney Togumi analyze the global expansion of mountain running and the challenge of coexisting with host communities.
Trail running is undergoing a historic phase of professionalization, live broadcasts, and record-shattering performances worldwide. However, this rapid growth brings immediate challenges to the daily life and infrastructure of host cities that stage major events.
International trail running is experiencing a historic moment of maturity and visibility. Following milestones such as the 2018 Penyagolosa World Championships and the post-pandemic recovery, the sport has seen a massive influx of major brands, the rise of live streaming, and rapid development among young athletes aged 18 to 24. At iconic races like the UTMB, course records fall year after year, proving the sport has yet to reach its technical ceiling.
PUBLICIDADE (GAM) — 1250x250
The mountain as a living arena
This expansion, however, prompts a necessary conversation about social sustainability. Unlike soccer or traditional stadium sports, the stage for trail running is not Camp Nou, Santiago Bernabéu, or Maracanã. These races take place across mountains and valleys inhabited by local communities with their own dynamics, daily routines, and established ways of life.
The influx of thousands of runners and supporters has sparked recent debate in traditional trail hubs such as Chamonix, France. When the town reaches peak capacity during UTMB week, locals face parking shortages, overwhelmed businesses, and major disruptions to daily life. For residents not directly involved in the race, the weekend can turn into a logistical headache.
The parallel in Brazil
This reality is not unique to the European Alps. In Brazil, smaller historic towns experience similar challenges when hosting major mountain races. In Paraty, for example—where the urban population is around 15,000 residents—the arrival of nearly 6,000 runners for trail events temporarily doubles the town's population, selling out hotels and straining local traffic.
Individual responsibility and coexistence
While traffic management, crowd control, and infrastructure rely on public policies and joint planning between race directors and local authorities, individual runner behavior plays a decisive role in protecting the future of the sport.
Simple actions help reduce friction with host communities: parking only in designated spaces, using public transit, walking or cycling, and supporting local businesses responsibly. Caring for the surroundings and respecting local civic rules is just as vital to the future of trail running as protecting the natural trails themselves.
PUBLICIDADE (GAM) — 1250x250
