Shopping for an endurance athlete this holiday season? We’ve got you covered! Our Trivium Racing Marketing team, all runners themselves, had some fun putting together a list of great gift ideas for runners, trail lovers, and multisport athletes. Whether it’s gear for training, essentials for race day, or even a race entry (always a winner!), we’ve included something for everyone—plus our favorite Trivium races of the moment. Happy holidays and happy gifting!
Megan (MI): I worked in run specialty for six and a half years and I’m a firm believer in shopping locally. A gift certificate to your favorite runner’s local run shop is an AWESOME gift. We always had people who were hesitant to “just give a gift card,” but trust me, there’s nothing a runner would rather see tucked into a gift bag. It means they get to select the gear that’s right for them, and when it comes to running shoes or shorts or fuel, everyone’s needs are very different. A gift card can cover a shoe fitting with an expert and shoes, and for a beginning runner or a seasoned racer, there’s nothing better! If you really want to include something tangible, fresh socks are always welcome! Want to make it really cute? Ask the staff for a shoe box you can wrap the gift card in.
Mel (NC): I transitioned from triathlons to ultramarathons about seven years ago. When I first started training and racing ultras, I wasn’t entirely sure what gear I’d need for these epic adventures. Thankfully, I connected with a few trail running groups and made some amazing friends who guided me in finding the right gear for my ultra journey.
Here are a few of my favorite pieces of trail running gear:
- Shorts Janji’s 7″ Pace Short | The go-to short to carry things like my phone & gels + doesn’t ride with a little weight in the side pocket. This short has a mid-rise waist, 4 bounce-free pockets, and silicone grippers at the hem to prevent the fabric from riding up
- Hydration Vest Ultimate Direction’s Race Vesta 6.0 | This vest has two water bottle holders, a large rear compartment for up to a 2L bladder, back pockets, is water resistant, and is lightweight
- Shoes Saucony Peregrine | This has been my go-to shoe for years + it comes in lots of bright colors! This shoe has grippy 5mm lugs to feel comfortable tackling roots, rocks, mud, and snow. (oddly enough, these shoes are vegan!)
- Socks Stance | I first found this brand at a TJMaxx and now they are my favorite to run with. I prefer the crew length. But what’s to like about these socks? Nylon blend, moisture + order control, seamless toe closure, and performance mesh.
- Bandana Riley Lubich Art | This past summer I got into wearing a banana around my neck – it helped to absorb sweat, maybe the occasional snot when I needed to blow my nose, and I can soak it with water then put it back around my neck to stay cool. Riley is a local artist in Moab and she creates the blocks and hand prints the bananas.
- Headlamp Petzl SWIFT RL | This headlamp is expensive but well worth it! I originally bought this headlamp for my R2R2R adventure in 2021 and now use it for any of my runs in the dark. With a max of 1100 lumens and three different settings, you’ll have no trouble seeing in the dark (and others have no problem seeing you as well!).
- I could get into so much more of the other items I use, especially with the changing of the seasons, but maybe that is for another blog post!
Megan: It’s really hard for me to pick a favorite Trivium Race, but we’re each only allowed one for this blog post. If someone was going to gift me a race entry (AWESOME GIFT IDEA), I’d want an entry for the Highball to Thurmond 50K. I did one self-supported, solo 50K in 2020 when racing was cancelled and I’ve recently been wondering what it would be like to race the distance with, you know, other people! The scenery of HB2T is calling to me. Just look at these pictures. And I live in Michigan where it’s pretty flat, so I want a course that’s got some hills, but I also want to be able to properly train for it, and 3100′ of elevation gain fits in that wheelhouse. Add in the train ride with champagne at the end and HB2T is checking all my Spring adventure boxes.
If you want to gift someone a Trivium race, you can keep it simple and just give them the money! Or, if you really want to go that extra mile, email me at megan@triviumracing.com and we’ll figure it out.
Megan: Here are a few more tangible items you can gift the runner in your life. If at all possible, try to hit up the local run specialty shop in your area. They’ll be stoked to help you! I’m making an effort to suggest items that aren’t size-specific.
- Fuel! If your runner is new, buy them a bunch of different gels, bloks, chews, and drink mixes they can test as they train for the next adventure. If they’ve been running a while, they probably already have a go-to fuel, so get them something new they probably haven’t tried yet, like SIS Beta gels!
- Headspace Gift Subscription: Headspace is a meditation app to help you destress, sleep better, and even perform better. Runners will easily spend money on shoes, but they often overlook the little things. A relaxed runner is a better runner (and human)!
- Race Day Nail Wraps: I love having special nails on race day! Check out these nail wraps from Sarah Marie Design Studio.
- I’m a big fan of CEP compression socks. I wear them for long runs and workouts, race day, recovery, and long plane rides. They’re a little expensive ($60) but they last a long time. You do have to measure calf circumference, but ruining the surprise is worth it.
- Sunglasses: I know it seems like you’ll never see the sun again, but I wear sunglasses on my runs year-round! They protect my eyes from wind, snow, and rain. And these sunglasses from Tifosi and Goodr are SUPER fun and inexpensive!
- Give the gift of safety! A lot of runners are running in the dark in the winter and you can never have enough blinky lights and reflective vests.
Mel: Trivium offers so many amazing races, so it wasn’t easy for me to choose a race I would want to race. My pick is the Triple Lakes Trail Race. Why? Because this race offers a 40 Mile option. For an ultra runner who wants a distance of more than a 50K but not quite a 50 Miler, this is THE RACE! The course is extremely well-marked, has 3,500 feet of elevation, generous cut-offs, and offers beautiful views of Lake Brandt and Lake Townsend. Plus the race is in October – so the fall colors are in full swing and the temperatures are a bit cooler!
Hannah (MI): I may be a bit biased as this has been my project but contrary to what Megan and Mel said, this was an fairly easy choice for me. My favorite soon-to-be Trivium Race is the Wolverine State 100, a brand-new ultra coming to Northern Michigan in fall 2025. I’ve always loved Northern Michigan—hiking, exploring, and soaking in its beauty—so I’m beyond excited to race direct an event that showcases everything this region offers.
This course is packed with variety, from single-track trails to dirt roads, limestone paths, and paved portions. It’s challenging, engaging, and perfectly timed for peak fall colors—think vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows paired with crisp running weather.
Bringing this race to life has been a dream come true, and I know it will be an unforgettable adventure for runners. The countdown to fall 2025 is on, and I can’t wait!
