Before I moved to the Hudson Valley from NYC, I always thoroughly enjoyed hiking. (I’ve completed 36 of the 46 Adirondack High Peaks, and I always love a good backpacking or national park adventure.) But at the time, I considered myself primarily a road runner.
Upstate, things shifted. I had a wide range of softer, much more forgiving trails at my fingertips. Yes, trails are harder to conquer than moderately flat city streets. But the softer terrain makes for a milder recovery. And let’s face it: I’ll swap trail views for traffic any day.
Turns out I’m far from the only one feeling the increasing allure of the trails. Trail running has grown by over 200% in the last 10 years, likely due to more studies on the benefits of trail running over road running. Social media has also inspired more people to get outside.
And between its famously beautiful scenery, abundance of publicly accessible trails, and proximity to NYC, the Hudson Valley has become a definite trail-running hub as the sport has grown. Regional races such as Breakneck Point have received international attention. In fact, it was named the host for the U.S. Track & Field Trail World Championships, as well as a USA National Team Selection Race for the Trail World Championships in Austria in 2023. And this year, New Paltz’s Denizen Theater even held a film festival of exclusively trail-running-themed films.
When my husband and I started Northern Catskills Athletics, a running and outdoors group in Greene County, we made sure to commit to leading both road and trail runs, to appeal to all types of runners. One of the most prolific trail runners I’ve met thus far is Kristi Confortin. She organized the Catskills’ branch of the international trail running group Trail Sisters.
And while she’s raced and explored trails all over the world, Confortin says the Hudson Valley’s technical and rugged terrain stands out. “There’s a reason people say ‘East Coast is the Beast Coast,’” she says. “The Catskills’ 35 High Peaks offer a great climb, beautiful views, and fun technical sections, so they’re always a solid choice when I’m looking for a good day on the trail.”
With an impressive number of races under her (running) belt, Confortin has participated in several locally, though her favorites are put on by the Hudson Valley’s Conquer the World (C.T.W.) Endurance. “Their events are very inclusive and welcoming to runners of all abilities, whether you’re at the front, middle, or back of the pack. The race directors truly care about everyone’s experience,” she explains. “Their aid stations are always fully stocked with anything you might need, and their races are ‘Trail Sisters-approved,’ helping ensure womxn have equal opportunity in trail running. Overall, they create a really supportive and community-focused race experience.”
Likewise, another runner who’s truly taken by the Hudson Valley’s off-road running scene is true trailblazer Kathrine Switzer. Yes, the first woman to officially complete the Boston Marathon, in all her glory, spends part of the year living in Ulster County. And like me, Switzer has swapped her road sneakers for trail shoes, largely because its lower impact.
“After running almost exclusively on roads for 50 years, my legs were taking a pounding, and I knew that hard-packed dirt was an ideal surface,” she explains.
One of her favorite trail running destinations, she says, is Mohonk Preserve (especially the Eagle Cliff loop). “When I discovered the Mohonk trails for the first time early in my running career (in the ‘60s) I never forgot the beauty of them,” Switzer recalls. “So when my husband and I moved out of New York City, we decided on New Paltz mostly because of the quality and variety of trails at Mohonk. You can run in a different place each day.”
Switzer tells me she was especially drawn to upstate’s running trails because of their impeccable upkeep. “Compared to a lot of the U.S., the trails are well-groomed. They are smoother and safer, which makes the run more pleasant,” she says. “I don’t need to worry about tripping or falling when I’m out alone.”
Although Switzer hasn’t yet joined any formal trail groups in the area, she’s brought her legendary stride to a few local races. “Overcliff/Undercliff is an annual event with the Shawangunk runners,” she says, adding that she’s also completed the Rock and Snow Bridge 2 Bridge Five Mile Run, as well as local Turkey Trots. “Also, I have not run, but do support, the marvelous Rock the Ridge ultramarathon trail run.”
Switzer tells Hudson Valley’s aspiring trail runners to “just do it,” without obsessing over mileage or metrics. “Get out there and just get lost in it,” she says. “Run for time and not mileage, and do ‘discovery’ runs — go where you haven’t gone before and be delighted and appreciative with new vistas [and wildlife].”
Confortin has similar sentiments, reiterating safety and taking in scenery. “Start slower than you think you need to and focus on the terrain,” she adds, noting the trails can be uneven at times. “Running a bit slower helps you stay balanced, avoid injuries, and enjoy the experience. Remember that in trail running it’s normal to hike the steep climbs. You can focus on effort, not pace, and take in the scenery along the way.”
