I don't think trail running will ever get the depth of fandom of mainstream sports or even things like track and field. The first reason is the most obvious: it's hard to film/video runners in the woods, especially when they're spending 12+ hours in those woods. I almost exclusively run on trails, but I find watching trail running pretty dull. Meanwhile, I watch pro road cycling and track and field pretty religiously because those sports are easier to follow.
I think it's a good thing that most of the people who are into trail running actually run. The world needs fewer overweight, out-of-shape drunks talking about "their team." It might not sell merch, but it keeps people healthy and spending time in woods. We need sports people participate in over the course of their lifetimes (and I know a few trail runners in their 70s) than sports people retire from at age 18.
The “hard to follow” point is real. That’s the core issue.
I don’t think trail needs mainstream scale. But once a pro layer exists, it needs some attention to support it or not only will we lose their pro layer, we will lose the gear.
Probably the thing that'll help scale the sport the most is getting young people involved. There are a ton of former HS/college T&F runners who follow the sport because of their history. But there aren't that many kids trail running yet. It's happening, but slowly. There are a few reasons I see: 1. the sport is relatively new, 2. not many kids have access to trails like they have access to a track or road, and 3. there're few college trail teams. This is all changing, but how much is TBD.
I think that helps participation more than fandom. You get more people doing it, but not necessarily more people following it. That’s the gap I’m trying to understand.
I don't think trail running will ever get the depth of fandom of mainstream sports or even things like track and field. The first reason is the most obvious: it's hard to film/video runners in the woods, especially when they're spending 12+ hours in those woods. I almost exclusively run on trails, but I find watching trail running pretty dull. Meanwhile, I watch pro road cycling and track and field pretty religiously because those sports are easier to follow.
I think it's a good thing that most of the people who are into trail running actually run. The world needs fewer overweight, out-of-shape drunks talking about "their team." It might not sell merch, but it keeps people healthy and spending time in woods. We need sports people participate in over the course of their lifetimes (and I know a few trail runners in their 70s) than sports people retire from at age 18.
Fair take.
The “hard to follow” point is real. That’s the core issue.
I don’t think trail needs mainstream scale. But once a pro layer exists, it needs some attention to support it or not only will we lose their pro layer, we will lose the gear.
Strong participation. Weak followability.
That’s the tension.
Probably the thing that'll help scale the sport the most is getting young people involved. There are a ton of former HS/college T&F runners who follow the sport because of their history. But there aren't that many kids trail running yet. It's happening, but slowly. There are a few reasons I see: 1. the sport is relatively new, 2. not many kids have access to trails like they have access to a track or road, and 3. there're few college trail teams. This is all changing, but how much is TBD.
I think that helps participation more than fandom. You get more people doing it, but not necessarily more people following it. That’s the gap I’m trying to understand.