TrailFam at UTS: Representation on the Ridgeline

TrailFam's Samreen on UTS, Fear, City Running, and Finding Strength

TrailFam is a charity on a mission to make the outdoors more accessible to young people through trail running. Their work supports individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, with a focus on inner-city youth and culturally diverse communities.

We were proud to support TrailFam’s Samreen and Fred with some Harrier gear as they took on UTS. Here's what Samreen had to say about fear, city running, and finding strength in the unknown.

What would you say to someone who is unsure about signing up for a scary-looking race like UTS?

"I’d say do it — even if it terrifies you. You don’t need to feel ready. You become ready by showing up, training, learning, and growing through the process.  UTS was incredibly tough and nothing prepared me for it, and it was still one of the most empowering experiences of my life. Fear just means the race matters to you. To even think that you are even considering getting yourself to the start line is a possibility is a blessing and a power move in itself. Then you get to the start line, that’s the activation energy you need. Just start, the rest will fall into place. The first step isn’t just the first.  Lean into that"

Is there something that really helped you get into trail running? Either mentally or physically?

"Community. TrailFam. Being around other trail runners, especially those who looked like me or came from similar backgrounds, made the trails feel more accessible. Support that tells you no matter what they’ll be at the finish line waiting.  Physically, hill sessions were a game-changer — they taught me to respect the climbs, not fear them. But mentally, having a “why” bigger than the race helps you keep going when it gets tough"

What would you say to someone who lives in a city about how to get into trail running?

"Start where you are. You don’t need a mountain to be a trail runner. Parks, canals, overgrown paths — they count. Find uneven ground, hills, and new routes that break the rhythm of pavement. Join a local run group or go exploring with friends. You’ll be surprised how much trail spirit you can build in a city. I used the fact that living in a city and having minimal access to trails as a reason to go out and explore and it gives you so much more perspective and makes every trail run meaningful and intentional"

What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned from trail running, so far?

"That I’m far more resilient than I ever thought. Trail running strips everything down — ego, pace, expectations — and shows you who you really are. Some tough trails will absolutely break you down but learning to pick up the pieces along the way to carry in your Harrier running vest to the finish line builds you as a person.  It’s taught me patience, self-belief, and how to keep moving forward even when it hurts. Doing it for the TrailFam young race team meant that they were counting on us for this race. To see someone like them from the same community to finish the race that seemed impossible to them. And maybe most importantly, it’s taught me that representation matters.  The trails belong to all of us"

Want to learn more about or even become part of the TrailFam?

Visit their website at www.trailfam.com