Runners for Public Lands is an organization that empowers runners and race directors alike to “protect public lands, engage in climate action, and expand access to nature for all.” They achieve this through community service, education, and civic engagement. One of the ways they work with communities is their Race Director Collective, an event which connects race directors from all over the United States.
Inside Trail’s very own Craig Schmidt attended one such event in San Francisco, with Representative Jared Huffman. Here is Craig’s recap on Inside Trail’s commitment to becoming active trail stewards.
Inside Trail Racing is a Northern California-based trail running organization. We host over 20 trail running events throughout the year, with four of our major events being on public lands in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. We rely on these public lands for our events. After the recent government shutdown impacted us, we were excited to attend and participate in this advocacy event.
Inside Trail Racing was invited to an “interactive conversation with Congressman Jared Huffman, Ranking Member, House Natural Resources Committee, in San Francisco”. The invitation came via Outdoor Alliance of California and Runners for Public Lands. Talk about a great opportunity and a way to continue to get involved in learning about and protecting our lands and natural resources.
What We Learned
There are many obstacles facing our public lands. This event helped us understand many of these risks, including the selling off of public lands, oil drilling in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, and government funding for many of our favorite parks across the country. Activists like Congressman Jared Huffman and many of the lobbyists in attendance at this event are working hard to defend the rights and preserve our lands.
The Q&A was short; we didn’t get a chance to ask a question during the panel, but we heard from many groups who are active participants in protecting these lands, like a group that organized trail work and trail activity days for the Latino community in Monterey on public lands like Fort Ord National Monument. These groups are showing how trail stewardship can lead the way and have a positive impact on the trails we use regularly.
Moving Forward
The event helped reinforce the work we are striving to achieve. In 2025, we began laying the foundation for iTR to be active trail stewards through our partnership and sponsorship of Santa Cruz Mountain Trail Stewardship, including sponsorship of National Dig Day on June 6, 2026. And the work we are doing with China Camp State Park, through donations, a trail day on September 27, 2025, and a planned trail day for Friday, February 27, 2026.
These are the small ways we are getting involved in being positive stewards of our lands, and we are continuing to look for opportunities to be a positive influence. We as an organization are only a small part, but as a community—the trail running community—the minor impacts we make can have a considerable effect. We encourage you to join other organizations or us on dig days, trail work, fundraisers, and volunteering to protect and clean up the trails we use.
