Trail running in England has grown rapidly in recent years, with more events, more competitors and higher standards than ever before. At the heart of this growth sits the Trail Running Association (the TRA) who are responsible for the promotion,management and development of trail running in England.
Affiliated to England Athletics and an associate member of UK Athletics (UKA), the TRA was founded in 1995 and is run by a committee of volunteers and plays a central role in ensuring the sport is delivered safely, fairly and to recognised national standards.
Under UK Athletics Rules for Competition, the management of Trail Running is delegated to the TRA. This means that if you are organising a trail race in England, your application for a licence should be made directly to the TRA.
For trail races in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, applications need to be made to the relevant Associations within those countries; because the TRA is affiliated to England Athletics, it only offers race licences in England.
Why does a TRA Race Licence Matter?
The TRA offers licences for trail races, and holding an approved race licence demonstrates to competitors and insurers that:
- The race is promoted to governing body standards
- UKA Rules for Competition apply
- The event has met recognised safety and organisational requirements
For race directors, this provides credibility and reassurance. For runners, it signals that the event meets established standards and operates within the official athletics framework.
Membership for Runners
The TRA is not only for race organisers, it also offers annual membership for runners at £10 per year. Membership provides a range of tangible benefits:
- £2 discount on entry to TRA affiliated events
- Personal accident insurance cover
- Subscription to Trailrunner magazine
- Optional England Athletics registration
- Access to the TRA Club entry ballot for the London Marathon (through EA
- membership), offering significantly better odds than the public ballot.
Beyond the practical benefits, membership fees go directly back into supporting the sport. The TRA is run entirely by a committee of volunteers, and all income from licences and memberships is reinvested into trail running.
Personal Accident Insurance
One of the most valuable elements of TRA membership is the Personal Accident Insurance policy. This covers members for:
- Participating in athletics at any meeting organised by or recognised by UK Athletics anywhere in the world
- Training organised by a club, the Federation or another Association Body
- Travelling directly to and from those meetings or training sessions
For runners who train consistently and race regularly, whether in the UK or internationally, this provides an additional layer of protection and peace of mind.
Supporting Race Directors: Grants and Investment
A key part of the TRA’s work is reinvesting in the grassroots of trail running.
Each year, the Association offers grants to race directors. In 2026, the grant budget stands at £35,000, providing financial support to organisers seeking assistance to deliver their events.
This year introduces a new system for issuing grants, designed to make the process fairer and supports those starting events from scratch as well as recognising organisers who have built and grown their races over many years.
In a sport where many events are still independently organised, this support can make a meaningful difference, helping maintain high standards while encouraging innovation and growth.
British Trail Running Championships
The TRA is responsible for the selection and promotion of the British Trail Running Championships, working directly with British Athletics.
These events are designed to showcase the depth and quality of British trail running across a spectrum of distances.
For 2026, the British Trail Running Championship races are:
Short Distance
Forest of Dean Spring Half Marathon, 22nd March 2026
An annual event organised by The Rotary Club of the Royal Forest of Dean and supported by the Forestry Commission.
Middle Distance
Lake District 50km (53km) – Presented by RunThrough Events
Based out of Keswick, this spectacular loop around the Lakeland fells also acts as the Trials race for the 2026 European Off-Road Championships. Full details of the selection policy are available via UK Athletics.
Ultra Distance
South Downs Way 100, 13th–14th June 2026
The fifteenth edition of Centurion Running’s flagship event, covering the entire South Downs Way National Trail in under 30 hours.
Why Does the TRA Matter?
Trail running thrives on community, testing but beautiful terrain and fun and inclusive events, but it also needs structure, standards and advocacy.
The TRA provides:
- Governance under UK Athletics rules
- Licensing and quality assurance for races
- Insurance and benefits for runners
- Financial support for event organisers
- National championship structure
- Representation within the wider athletics system
Importantly, it does all of this through a volunteer committee, reinvesting every pound back into the sport.
Current Chairman James Elson states:
“I’m enormously proud of what our committee and volunteers do for the sport of trail running. The Trail Running Association exists to support the sport at every level — from helping race organisers deliver safe, high-quality events to creating opportunities for runners to compete and represent their country. Right through to ensuring safe, sustainable running through racing and training for runners of all abilities and over all distances.
Everything we achieve is down to the commitment of people who care deeply about trail running and want to see it thrive for future generations.”
If you’re a runner who values well-run events and wants to see trail running continue to develop responsibly, membership is an easy decision. If you’re an organiser, licensing through the TRA demonstrates professionalism and alignment with national standards.