Meet Blended Trails: A vibrant Trail Running Community free to join and inclusive to all running abilities
Blended Trails is a Trail Running Community, free to join and inclusive to all running abilities.
“A vibrant community that values the benefits of open spaces, exercise, and social connection.”
“We believe in the power of nature to uplift and the importance of staying active. With diverse backgrounds and shared passions, we explore scenic trails, embrace outdoor adventures, and support one another. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or new to the trails, you’ll find a friendly space with our social group runs, free Pop-Ups and events.” Ollie Steele-Perkins – Founder
Welcome to Blended Trails, a trail-running community that encapsulates the true essence of adventure, camaraderie, and connection with nature. Whether you are a seasoned trail runner or beginning your running journey, Blended Trails offers an inclusive platform for people to explore, challenge themselves, and experience the physical and mental benefits of running in nature.
Born during the pandemic of 2020, Blended Trails conceptualised the Pop-Up run, a marked trail route in a new location each month, marked for nine days and with a digital leaderboard. Pop-Ups evolved from the ‘run solo, race together’ concept of lockdown, to popular social group running and new, marked and tested routes for people to follow when it suited them.
At Blended Trails, we believe trail running falls between exercise and a way of life. It’s an opportunity to break out of everyday routines and ground yourself in the beauty of natural landscapes. With an appreciation for the trails, the relaxed vibe of the Blended Trails community is flourishing. Our events are supported by volunteers with a passion for running, enabling us to put on our races in a challenging business environment and organically grow as a community.
Respecting and safeguarding the environment plays a significant role in our ethos. Encouraging runners to minimise waste and adopt eco-friendly practices reflects our ethos of ‘leaving only footprints’ and helps to preserve our natural environment.
We’ve taken several steps to more ‘earth-friendly’ events, and minimal environmental impact is our priority. Sustainable medals minimise resource consumption and waste, cupless water stations eliminate the need for single-use plastic and by adopting reusable chip timing, we no longer need paper numbers. After looking for ways to promote a sustainable approach to running gear, we’ve joined an initiative to collect unwanted running shoes, ensuring responsible recycling and reducing landfill. We’re keen to support other small businesses whose values align with ours.
The event calendar caters to runners of all levels and preferences, and Blended Trails has something for everyone. Our free pop-ups and social group runs foster a sense of camaraderie and motivation without financial barriers, and our trail races push boundaries and ignite the spirit of competition. Whether you seek a challenging Backyard Ultra, a scenic trail half-marathon, or a fun-filled 10K run, our events provide a platform to test your limits, set new goals, and achieve personal triumphs.
What sets us apart? Our deep-rooted connection to trail running and a small but passionate team keen to make a difference while demonstrating inclusivity and sustainability. Everyone should have access to the transformative power of trail running. As we continue to grow, we stay dedicated to fostering a supportive environment where individuals can connect and thrive.
We are looking to collaborate with brands in the trail running space, companies that align with our ethos, add value to the community of runners, and that will benefit through a partnership with Blended Trials. To find out more, contact Ollie Steele-Perkins (Founder) ollie@blendedtrails.co.uk
@blendedtrails
Check out the Blended Trails RIA Member profile here .