Mountain/Ultra/Trail Sport Council

What Does MUT Do?

The Mountain, Ultra and Trail (MUT) Sport Council's main charge is to give the runners it represents a voice within USATF, our sport's national governing body. MUT strives to keep the runners it serves well-informed by regularly issuing press releases and general informational bulletins via the various running-related media outlets and web sites. MUT’s volunteer members solicit ultra championship bids and select ultra championships. MUT also selects 100 km World Challenge and Mountain Trophy team members and mangers, obtains operational and some team funding from USATF, works to advance opportunities for USATF mountain, ultra and trail runners, and coordinates the selection of the ultra and mountain runners and contributors of the year. "It’s amazing the amount of time and effort our members volunteer to help our US runners that goes unrecognized," says Jerry Crockett, a past Chair of USATF’s Long Distance Running Division.

Getting Involved with MUT

If you are involved in the sport of mountain, ultra, and/or trail running, and are interested in volunteering, contact the MUT Council Chair or any member of the MUT Council. You can also become involved through your local Association.  It takes time and effort, but it is rewarding to see our sports raising in recognition both in USATF and in our international team competitions.

History of MUT

The Mountain, Ultra and Trail (MUT) Joint Subcommittee was established in 1998 to assist USA Track & Field with the sports of mountain, ultra, and trail running. Prior to that time, the USATF Ultra Subcommittee represented the ultra community's interests within USATF but there was no parallel group for the country's mountain runners. With the idea that these two disciplines attracted many of the same athletes and shared many of the same concerns, and with the growing popularity of trail running, the Joint Subcommittee was established. The Men's, Women's, and Master's LDR Committee Chairs each appointed athletes from these three underrepresented disciplines and asked them to assist in developing these areas within USATF. Ultrarunners Tom Johnson and Lorraine Gersitz were asked to serve as Co-Chairs and facilitate the creation of an athlete-centered resource within USATF for mountain, ultra, and trail runners. MUT member Nancy Hobbs coined the MUT moniker at the USATF Convention in Orlando Florida in 1998, the first convention attended by the newly appointed subcommittee members. Two years later, MUT was elevated to the status of a Running Council at the 22nd annual USATF Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico on December 3, 2000. The Council status gives MUT higher visibility and recognition within the USATF organization, which in turn will help MUT to better serve it's running communities. 

For more MUT news and information, click here.

Click to here to see MUT's Operating Guidelines & Procedures.