Trail Running Furthers Anti-Doping Progress with USADA and Golden Trail National Series Partnership
Inspired by the calls of trail running athletes, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) is pleased to announce a partnership with Salomon North America and the Golden Trail Series to conduct pre-race anti-doping education and in-competition testing at the Pikes Peak Ascent and Mammoth Trail Fest this September. The partnership is an important first step in implementing robust anti-doping protocols and practices to provide trail runners with access to a level playing field.
“Trail running athletes have been calling for robust anti-doping protocols in their sport for years and we are honored to stand with them in the effort,” said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart. “This partnership with the Golden Trail National Series is a great step in the right direction and we hope to see more progress in the future with additional education, increased in-competition testing, and the potential addition of out-of-competition testing.”
Under the current agreement, USADA will deliver a pre-race education webinar for all athletes competing in the Mammoth Trail Fest in Mammoth Lakes, California and the Pikes Peak Ascent, where athletes will attempt to summit Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs at a grueling vertical climb of 7,800 feet. Additionally, athletes competing in these events will be subject to urine testing during the in-competition period. All testing will be conducted in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) International Standard for Testing and Investigations.
“At Mammoth Trail Fest, we believe in with respect to the environment, competitive sport, and our community, there is no place for shortcuts or compromised ethics,” shares Mammoth Trail Fest race director, Tim Tollefson. “We remain committed to clean sport through advocacy and education. We are delighted that we now offer legitimate gold standard race-day testing at both races through USADA.”
“The Golden Trail Series brings an elevated level of competition to the Pikes Peak Ascent, and with this level of competition, we want to advocate for clean sport and enhance the future of trail running,” says Ryan Linder, Pikes Peak Marathon race director. “Overall, the Pikes Peak Marathon is thrilled to collaborate with Salomon and Mammoth Trail Fest to make this partnership with USADA possible.”
Results management will be conducted by USADA and handled according to the WADA International Standard for Results Management. As always when USADA is the results management authority, any sanctions will be published on the USADA website after conclusion of the results management process. Race organizers will withhold prize money until the results are processed.
