With the goal of providing eight new or aspiring race directors with the chance to attend one of the sport’s key professional gatherings, the American Trail Running Association’s (ATRA) Better Together Scholarship Program returns for the 2026 U.S. Trail Running Conference. The program, launched in 2024, has quickly become an important pathway for leaders who may not otherwise have the resources to join the event in person.

For 2026, each scholarship recipient can receive up to $1800 in reimbursed costs to cover conference registration, travel and lodging. The 14th annual US Trail Running Conference will take place November 5–7 at the Music City Center in Nashville, TN.

The scholarship is designed to strengthen the future of trail running by investing in the people who organize races and shape local trail communities. By helping race directors attend the conference, the program opens access to education, networking and new ideas that can improve events across the country.

“We wanted to keep the Better Together Scholarship momentum going for what has become an incredibly valuable program the past two years,” explains Nancy Hobbs, ATRA executive director. “The benefits of attending the Conference go way beyond networking and educational content the event provides and being able to assist some race directors who may not otherwise be able to join in person is incredibly gratifying.”

That broader impact is central to the conference itself, which aims to raise professional standards in trail and ultrarunning event management, build stronger connections between brands, sponsors and events and celebrate the culture of trail running through authentic experience and storytelling.

“We’re thrilled to continue the Better Together Scholarship for 2026 and to partner with ATRA on a program that has already had such a meaningful impact,” adds Carrie Meng, director of the U.S. Trail Running Conference. “Creating space for new and aspiring race directors to learn, connect and contribute strengthens the entire trail running community. We’re looking forward to welcoming this year’s recipients to Nashville and seeing the ideas and energy they bring.”

For more information: https://trailrunner.com/trail-news/category/better-together/