Running a trail running race overseas can be a fun experience both for what’s the same about trail running everywhere—the spirit of community and the ability to run through awe-inspiring places—and everything that is wonderfully different—different languages, aid station provisions, course markings, and wildlife.
“I think there are a lot of things that are different, especially the little nuances,” says Mike Wardian, a Hoka-sponsored runner who has run in 42 different countries. “A lot of the things are the same, too. I mean, it’s still running, it’s still endurance, it’s just navigating the little things.”
I’ve been fortunate to run trail running races all over the world—including events in the majestic Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, the lush forests of the Korean Demilitarized Zone in South Korea, and the rugged splendor of the Alps in and around Chamonix, France. While running through wild, natural places in each of those races certainly brought plenty of thrills, ultimately what makes trail running in an international destination special is interacting with the people—both…
