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Looking for trail runners who shaking up the sport, you've landed in the right place.
In 2025, trail running fuels a passionate global community, and outdoor brand managers are turning to influencers like Ryan Montgomery, Rachel Pu, Ashley Frye, Michael Mitchell, and Mak Smith to inspire gear purchases, race sign-ups, and outdoor adventures. These creators go beyond logging miles - they’re storytellers, community builders, and athletes capturing the grit, joy, and inclusivity of trail running, motivating audiences to embrace adventure.
How To Use UGC in Trail Running Marketing
With influencer-driven D2C commerce forecasted to reach approximately $186.6 billion in 2025 (Statista, 2025), partnering with trail running influencers offers outdoor brand managers a powerful way to build campaigns that resonate with their audience and convert sales. Popfly simplifies how to hire trail running influencers and creators, providing tools to create authentic content that connects with runners and delivers results - discover more with our guide on how to win with outdoor industry trail marketing trends in 2025.
How Influencers are Reshaping Trail Running Community
We’ve curated 5 trail running atheltes and influencers redefining the sport in 2025, ideal for brands seeking authentic user-generated content (UGC), active trail running community involvement, or runners seeking daily motivation. These trail runners are doing more than just chasing PRs or racking up vert for podium spots - they’re reshaping trail culture. And the outdoor industry is turning to these relatable and inclusive individuals to foster real connection in the space. This new generation brings authenticity, vulnerability, and creative storytelling, moving past the "ultra-hardcore" stereotype and inviting runners both experiences and brand new to join in the fun. From predawn climbs to candid trail recaps, they highlight the journey’s highs and lows, and celebrate every running pace.
Their feeds are dirt-laden diaries, focusing on identity, resilience, and outdoor connection rather than just GPS stats or medals. Whether hosting community runs, exploring local trails, or pursuing big dreams, they invite you into their world. This content wave welcomes all runners, proving belonging comes with every step, not just speed. By sharing stories, they redefine trail running culture, reigniting our love for dirt underfoot.
Top Trail Runners to Follow for Brand Collaborations
Discover the top trail runners to follow for brand collaborations, where authenticity meets influence in 2025. These dynamic creators are redefining outdoor marketing with compelling stories and engaged communities, making them ideal partners for your next campaign.
1. LGBTQ+ Advocate and Athlete:
Ryan Montgomery
On Ryan’s page you can find a mix of elite-level trail running inspiration and authentic LGBTQ+ advocacy.
As one of the top ultra-endurance athletes, Ryan shares behind-the-scenes training, race strategies, and his journey tackling some of the world’s toughest 100-mile races.
He’s also the founder of Out Trails, a community empowering inclusivity in outdoor spaces, making his content as impactful socially as it is athletically.
Whether you’re into trail running, outdoor adventure, or building a more welcoming outdoor community, his feed offers both motivation and meaningful connection.
- For Brands: A strong partner for athletic apparel, and community focused brands.
- For Inspiration: A powerful example of dedication to your dreams and goals over many years.
📸 Follow Ryan: @ultra.ryan
2. Personal Transformation Trail Runner:
Rachel Pu
Rachel’s journey exemplifies how trail content can be real, impactful, and inclusive.
Her storytelling goes far beyond pacing, she captures the emotional terrain of personal transformation.
If you’re looking for a creator who blends the type 2 fun with purpose, Rachel delivers.
Whether sharing serious moments of physical struggle, like returning to training after a broken ankle, sharing her informative “how to get started” videos, and even her quests to find snow in the summer (did we mention she’s a skier too?).
Rachel brings it all to her corner of the internet, and those who know and follow her - love her for it.
- For Brands: Who invite athletes of all levels into the sport and appreciate beautifully captured, aesthetic moments on their feed.
- For Inspiration: A powerful example of welcoming running newcomers in, growing from the highs and lows, and capturing all of the moments in between.
📸 Follow Rachel: @rachelpuu
3. Community Builder @ 4 The Girls:
Ashley Frye
Ashley Frye grew up running, competing in cross country and track collegiately before becoming a professional road cyclist in Europe, where she experienced both the highs and lows of elite sport.
After often feeling pressured to dim her personality to be taken seriously, she founded 4The Girls Jog Club in 2023 to create a safe, joyful, and empowering space for women to run on their own terms. What started as a small Boulder coffee shop meetup has grown into one of Colorado’s largest women’s run clubs, partnering with brands like Lululemon, Strava, Skratch, FP Movement, and ASICS.
Ashley’s vision is to redefine running culture so every woman feels safe, seen, and supported while embracing the joy of movement, whether competitive or recreational. She still travels, races bikes, explores trails, and believes in the power of community to change how women experience sport.
- For Brands: Who involve women athletes and want to tap into the genius that is Ashley’s community-powered marketing.
- For Inspiration: A healthy balance of joy and competition amidst welcoming community.
📸 Follow Ashley: @ashleyyfrye
4. Runner by day, Raver by night:
Michael Mitchell
Mikey doesn’t just run, he destroys miles (and summit beers) like it’s his full‑time job and still has the energy to rave that night. He’s your go‑to for epic trail inspo, Colorado EDM scene side quests, and ski stoke all winter.
His feed is jam packed with wild miles, loud beats, and zero boring moments. His on trail tea is piping hot and it gets delivered fresh on his feed via recap reels of his epic runs.
Follow him if you’re into adrenaline, sick beats, and a perfect reminder of what it’s like to live life to the freaking fullest.
Basically, if your “For You” page is asleep, Mikey’s here to wake it up.
- For Brands: Who want a captivating, mile crushing, highly energetic ambassador who connects with his audience like they are his friends.
- For Inspiration: Mikey is the perfect reminder of what it’s like to live life as unapologetically yourself and make the most of every moment.
📸 Follow Mikey: @mikey.mitch
5. In it for the long haul (3x 100 Miler):
Mak Smith
Meet Mak - a three time hundred mile race finisher.
Colorado Trail? CHECK.
Oh, and she went back for more this year to hike the PCT, and share it all with her corner of the internet.
On her feed you will find her dirt diary full of grit, summits, trials on trail, gear / training talk and more.
You can count on her to share her honest recaps, and the love for type 2 adventures straight into your feed.
Mak serves up raw, unfiltered adventure content that proves big miles and dreams are out there for you, if you want them.
With a balance of the real life moments - her reliability is truly admirable. If your feed needs a dose of grit, gorgeous views, and trail‑driven inspiration, Mak’s a must‑follow.
- For Brands: If you want someone who’s highly experienced in documenting these epic feats from training to finish - Mak is your go to gal. She’s sure to capture it all authentically.
- For Inspiration: If you’re training for big miles and want to see more than just the highs, Mak’s here to keep it real and share it all with you. She shared the ups, downs, twists and turns of her life and training journey.
📸 Follow Mak: @makshearegan
How Trail Running Creators Are Shaping the Industry
In 2025, trail running athletes and influencers like Ryan Montgomery, Rachel Pu, Ashley Frye, Michael Mitchell, and Mak Smith are sparking a surge in gear purchases and race sign-ups with authentic, relatable content that resonates with the global running community. Outdoor brand managers can leverage these top trail running creators to design impactful campaigns that inspire adventure and foster connections within vibrant trail running communities. Start your journey with Popfly, a leading platform designed to streamline authentic influencer partnerships and elevate your brand’s presence in the thriving trail running world!
How to Hire Creators for Campaigns
In 2025, the Outdoor Industry Trends Report (OIA, 2025) highlights a 3% rise in outdoor participants, reaching 181.1 million, driven by surging consumer passion for recreation.
To effectively hire creators and influencers for campaigns, outdoor brand managers can turn to Popfly, a seamless solution that connects you with elite creators like these to enhance gear sales and event engagement. Popfly’s intuitive tools streamline the hiring process and campaign management, allowing you to create authentic, high-impact content that resonates with passionate runners, ensuring your brand stands out in the thriving trail running community.
Elevate your marketing success with Popfly’s expert platform, tailored to simplify influencer partnerships and maximize campaign results.
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