Meet the Trail Runners Who Find Challenge, Community, and Calm Off-Road

The route to trail running can look different for everyone. Andy Drake discovered the trails through his work managing nature preserves. Stacy Valenti stumbled into the sport at a community Santa Claus run. And Mark Cantrell, an avid hiker and mountain biker, found running off-road to be a natural next step.Though their journeys are unique, they’ve each found a reason to keep coming back—whether it’s the challenge, the community, or a deeper connection to nature.We spoke with these three Runner’s World+ members about how they got started, where the trails have taken them, and the gear they rely on to stay protected, hydrated, and prepared.Andy Drake: Testing His Limits Andy Drake’s work helped lead him to trail running. As the manager of East Hampton’s town-owned nature preserves, he regularly received calls about downed trees and other problems along the trails. Over time, he became deeply familiar with the area’s trail system. He even got into trail cycling. “I live in a pretty busy place, but trails are a great escape from the hustle,” says Drake. “I love knowing that peace is always near and I prioritize running with pretty much any free time I have.” Drake likes to encourage anyone he can to get outside and explore the trails—and run longer than they believe is possible.Since he began running in 2018, Drake has logged hundreds—if not thousands—of miles on the trail.Residing in Southampton, New York, with his wife and three children, one of Drake’s favorite accomplishments was completing the entire 125-mile Paumanok Path in a single effort, from Rocky Point to Montauk Point. He also completed the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim challenge in October 2024 and plans to return this fall for another attempt. In December, he earned third place in a backyard ultramarathon—going a total of 108 miles through frigid conditions. “I like to set goals and attempt things that both inspire me and scare me, things that I don’t know if I can finish,” says Drake. “It’s empowering to learn new limits through those efforts to then be able to set the bar a bit higher for the next one.”A proud member of the Salty Dog Run Club and the Montauk Cycle Company, Drake has built a strong community of long-distance runners and cyclists around him.On the trails, Drake utilizes lots of gear built for the terrain, but especially likes Black Diamond Alpine Trekking Poles, Smith sunglasses, and Norda trail running shoes.Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking PolesNorda 001A Trail Running ShoesREI On The Trail CapREI Swiftland Grid Running T-ShirtStacy Valenti: Learning Patience Stacy Valenti discovered trail running almost by accident after signing up for a Santa Claus run in her hometown of Mandeville, Louisiana, only to learn that the event would take place on trails.While Valenti spent years as a dedicated runner, she didn’t embrace the trails until her kids left home and she entered a new chapter as an empty nester. “People have different phases in their life,” says Valenti. “During those middle years when I was raising kids, I didn’t have the time to train like I wanted to, but I still got out there. I think that it’s important to do what you can because if you look for perfection, you just won’t do it.”Since that first event, trail running has taken Valenti to paths throughout southern Louisiana and as far as Moanalua Valley Trail in Hawaii. Along the way, she’s learned that trail running rewards a different mindset than road running. “What I like about trail running is that it teaches you patience,” she explains. “And so, there are times that you need to slow down and make sure that you're safe.”Trail running has also shown her how to listen to other runners, learn from their experiences, and build connections within the trail-running community. “People have a lot of input and a lot of thoughts,” she says. “And if you open yourself up to those from whom you can learn, you can adjust where you feel that you need to.”On the trails, Valenti’s go-to gear includes Hoka Speedgoat 7 trail shoes, Nathan flasks, and Feetures light cushion crew socks.Nathan SpeedDraw 2.0 Insulated FlaskFeetures Elite Light Cushion Mini Crew SocksNow 30% OffHoka Speedgoat 7 Trail-Running ShoesMark Cantrell: Paying Attention to Every StepFor Mark Cantrell, trail running combines several longtime interests. The New Jersey runner has been an avid hiker and mountain biker for much of his life, so taking his running off-road felt like a natural extension of the activities he already loved.Cantrell began running in 2010 and completed his first half marathon and marathon the following year. In November of 2021, he started a run streak and has run at least one mile every day since.He also practices barefoot running and tries to do the majority of his runs without shoes. He even completed the 2025 New York City Marathon barefoot. On the trails, he typically wears thin sandals, and during colder winter runs, he adds socks. “I think running barefoot and running in sandals give you a different connection to the earth than you would get with the shoe,” says Cantrell. Other gear that Cantrell uses includes Black Diamond trekking poles and Tifosi photochromic sunglasses.Trail running has given him a deeper appreciation for the natural world around him. “When you get out on a trail, you’re moving differently,” says Cantrell. “You’re paying attention. Each step you take, you’re looking to see, okay, where does my foot want to go next so I don’t trip and hurt myself? So it keeps it more interesting and keeps you more focused mentally.”He has run everywhere from Bryce Canyon in Utah to Ljubljana, Slovenia, and has completed 50K and 60K trail races. Next, he plans to tackle the JFK 50 Mile in Boonsboro, Maryland, in November.For Cantrell, the trails serve as an oasis—a place to relax and unwind after a long day at work.Distance Carbon FLZ Trekking PolesTifosi Veloce Fototec Photochromic SunglassesPynrs Men’s Woodrow 2-in-1 Run ShortsNow 50% OffCasey Healey has been running for 11 years and brings that firsthand experience to the Runner’s World team as a summer 2026 editorial intern. Hailing from Scranton, PA, Casey is now a rising senior at Villanova University, where she plans to graduate with a degree in Communications. She also serves as Co-Sports Editor of her school newspaper, The Villanovan. Outside of running, she enjoys skiing, iced coffee, and walking her mini schnauzer, Winnie.