Below you’ll find the answers to frequently asked questions about our Trail Events. We’ve divided the questions into the following categories:
Some questions cannot be answered in general, as they apply only to a specific event. You’ll usually find the answers to those in the participant information document, which is emailed to all participants two days before the event.
Is your question not answered on this page? Please submit it via the question form at the bottom of the relevant event page.
On this page, you’ll find answers to the most common general questions about trail running and our Trail Events.
Trail running is actually very simple: it’s running through nature on unpaved trails. Do you love the outdoors and being active? Then this is definitely the sport for you!
What you must not forget:
(Reusable) race cup
To avoid waste and unnecessary trash, we do not provide cups at our aid stations. If you would like to make use of our water or sports drink supplies, you must bring your own (reusable) cup. You can order a reusable race cup as a ticket during registration, buy one at the event office, or find one in our Trailshop.
Charged mobile phone
So you can reach us, and we can reach you, while you’re out on the trails.
What we recommend (not mandatory unless for ultras):
No, trail shoes are not mandatory for our Trail Events.
That said, we ourselves always run in trail shoes when heading into the woods. Especially on wet surfaces, during climbs and descents, or on uneven terrain, trail shoes provide much better grip.
If you ever go running in the mountains, make sure you have trail shoes!
Participant information is available per event on the website of the particular event. In addition, all participants will receive an email one week before the event containing the latest additional participant information.
This email will highlight any important updates or special notes, while the participant information document provides everything you need to know to arrive well prepared at the start.
During the event, we assume that participants have carefully read the participant information on the website and the information provided in the email.
You can collect your bib number at the event office on location. You’ll need the QR code you’ll receive by email on the morning of the event. This way you never have to search long for your details. With this QR code, we can see which distance you’re running and whether you have additional tickets, such as a medal, race cup, or ticket for a running buddy.
You’re welcome to bring your own, but we always have safety pins available at the event office for you to use.
Unfortunately, if a trail is sold out, you cannot participate. To protect nature and the start location, we make agreements with land managers and venues and set a participant limit accordingly. Once that limit is reached, the event is sold out, and we cannot allow extra runners.
We also do not use waiting lists when a trail is sold out. If a ticket becomes available after the event sells out, it will automatically appear again on our website—even if the “sold-out” banner is still visible. We recommend checking the website regularly. If we do work with a waiting list for a specific event, this will always be clearly mentioned on the website.
If you’re unable to complete the trail, we ask you to walk to the nearest aid station, where our team can assist you. We’ll make sure someone from the start location comes to pick you up and bring you back.
If you’re not near an aid station, the emergency phone number of the organization is printed on your bib number.
The minimum age to participate in our events is 12 years old. However, responsibility for participation lies entirely with the parents. We cannot assess the fitness or ability of the child. Parents must also remain present at the event. This applies to participants under 16.
For ultras, the minimum age is 18.
The medal is only awarded to participants who actually finish the event. If you do not finish, you are not entitled to a medal, regardless of whether you purchased one in advance.
If a participant does not attend the event, any purchased products automatically expire. There are no refunds, and products will not be shipped afterward. If the ticket for a product is transferred to another participant, that person may collect the product during the event on behalf of the original participant. This must happen within the regular pick-up times of the event.
Below you’ll find answers to the most frequently asked questions about purchasing tickets, making changes, or cancelling them.
You can easily cancel your participation online or transfer your ticket to another runner. Both can be arranged by yourself via our website or in our app under your personal login. However, from 30 days before the event, we can no longer offer a refund. You can read on this page how to cancel your entry and transfer your ticket to another runner.
No, it is not possible to register on the day itself. Tickets can only be purchased via the event website. If the event is not sold out, you can still buy a ticket online up until the morning of the event.
If you come to an event without a ticket, unfortunately, you cannot participate.
No, ordered products will not be shipped to your home. This applies to your bib number, but also to the medal and any race cup. If you have purchased a race cup, you will receive it when your ticket is scanned on the event day. The medal is handed out once you cross the finish line.
The number of medals available is indicated on the website when purchasing your ticket. If you did not order a medal together with your ticket, don’t worry. If there are still medals available on the day of the event, you can buy one at the registration desk. Just mention this when you pick up your bib number.
Additionally, our medals are always available for purchase through our Trail Shop. Please note that separate shipping costs will apply.
Please read the conditions below.
For trails and ultras you can receive a maximum of 75% of your entry fee refunded. Refunds are given according to the following schedule:
For Backyard Ultra events from 2026 onwards, you can receive a 50% refund up to 60 days before the event. Within 60 days, you can still cancel, but no refund will be issued.
Cancellations must be done by yourself through the Trail Events website or App. Within 30 days before the event, refunds are no longer possible. Don’t want your ticket to go to waste? You can transfer it to another participant free of charge. Whether you sell or gift your ticket is up to you.
You can read how to do this on this page.
No, this is not possible. A ticket for an event cannot be transferred or exchanged for a ticket to another event.
However, it is possible to receive a partial refund if you cancel 30 days or more before the event. This refund could then be used toward participation in one of our other events.
For trails of less than 50km, you can resell your ticket to someone else and assign it to a new participant using your personal login up to and including the day of the event. From that point on, we will be aware that someone else will be participating under your ticket. You can arrange the compensation for this between yourselves.
For ultras of 50km or longer, you can reassign your ticket to someone else up to two weeks before the event. From that point on, the ultra participant list is final and cannot be changed.
You can read how to transfer your ticket on this page.
Please let us know if you placed an order but did not receive a ticket. There may have been an issue with entering your details or with the transaction, and you cannot fix this yourself. Go to the event website where you purchased your ticket and fill in the contact form at the bottom of the page. We will look into it and get back to you as soon as possible.
Since we use many different start locations, we regularly receive questions about this. Here you’ll find answers to some of the most common ones. In addition, a week before each event you will always receive an email at around 10.00 AM with more specific information about the facilities available at that event’s start location.
The availability of parking facilities varies per event and location. Specific parking information for the event you are participating in will be communicated on the participants information page of each event. This may be supplemented with additional communication by email one week prior to the event.
If parking availability is limited, we will specifically ask participants to travel together or carpool where possible.
Our start locations do not have cloakrooms organized by us.
In some cases, it may be possible to leave your bag at the race office, but please note that staff is not always present and this may vary by location. We always communicate in advance what the bag drop situation will be during the trail run.
As there is not always supervision, leaving your belongings is entirely at your own responsibility. Leaving your belongings is therefore always at your own risk and we advise to leave you belongings in your car.
Facilities vary per event and depend on the partner start location we are working with. Please check the event website for more details on what we can provide.
To help keep nature clean, there are no cups available at aid stations or at the finish line. We ask all participants to bring their own race cup.
If you don’t already own a race cup, you can order one with your ticket, purchase one at the event location, or get one through our Trail-shop.
Our trails are unique, and the routes have been created because we ourselves have spent countless hours training in the areas where we now organize our events. We do our very best to always show participants the most beautiful paths and spots, and we’re proud of the variety of routes we can offer.
All routes are marked with white arrows and green-and-white ribbons.
The routes are clearly signposted, but for participants who prefer to navigate with their watch, a GPX-file is often shared as well. You’ll receive this file on the Thursday before the event at 7:00 PM.
More details about the routes are always included on the website of the particular event.
Aid stations are available at all of our trail events. On the website, under the heading “Routes”, you can find where the aid stations are located along the course.
At the aid stations, you can replenish your supplies. There will be a selection of sweet and salty snacks, as well as fruit. In addition, we provide water and sports drink.
Please note: we do not provide cups at our aid stations. Every participant must bring their own race cup. You can order one with your ticket, purchase one at the registration desk, or through our Trail-shop.
Participants are free to start at any time within their designated start block hour. We aim for a relaxed atmosphere where runners can truly enjoy the routes. For us, the participants and the trails are the main focus.
By spreading out the runners across the start blocks, the routes remain calm and enjoyable, giving everyone the chance to experience the beautiful landscapes without overcrowding.
Our routes are created based on our in-depth knowledge of the areas. The Trailrunning Crew trains extensively in the nature reserves where we organize events. We coordinate with the land managers on a regular basis to make sure we can always offer unique experiences. Some trails return more often because we believe the changing seasons offer a completely different experience.
Up to two days before the event, we reserve the right to make adjustments to the routes, finalizing them in close collaboration with the local rangers.
No, we do not provide timekeeping at our events. This is a deliberate choice, as we encourage participants to take their time and enjoy the beautiful trails. Of course, you’re always welcome to track your own time using your watch or phone.
Yes, photos will be taken by our crew, and at some events, professional photographers will also be present. All photos are collected in an album that you can download afterward.
In the week following the event, you will receive an email with a link to the album.
Photos from past events can be found at trail-pictures.com.
No, dogs are not allowed to participate in our events.
We love dogs and take their needs seriously. However, we believe that as an organization, we cannot always meet those needs during our trails. For that reason, we have chosen not to allow dogs to join our events.
Because an ultra is a different caliber of event compared to our regular trails, we’ve created a separate section with questions and answers specifically about ultras. You might recognize some of these questions from other sections, but the answers here are different.
We organize an ultra at the end of every month under the name of the Dutch Ultra Series.
The minimum age to participate in an ultra is 18 years.
Yes, for ultras we work with cut-off times. These are the times by which you must have left a checkpoint (aid station). The time limits are generally generous and will be clearly communicated in the race briefing, which you will receive by email a week before the event.
For finishing an ultra, the standard maximum time is 8 hours.
No, ultras are only navigated using a GPX file. You will receive this file on the Thursday before the event at 7:00 PM. It’s important to load this file onto your phone or watch. If you cannot navigate via GPX, you cannot participate in an ultra.
At our ultra events, you will encounter at least three aid stations along the course during a 50 km ultra, and there is also an aid station at the finish. Longer ultras will have additional aid stations.
The participant information and the routes section on the website clearly indicate how many aid stations you will encounter and where they are located. This also allows you to let your supporters know where they can come and cheer you on.
Yes, ultras do include official timekeeping, and the results will be published after the event.
Yes, there is a mandatory gear list to ensure you are self-sufficient and safe on the route. In case something happens to you or another participant, this equipment can make a difference. The gear list includes:
There is an option to add a tracker to your ticket. This allows friends and family to follow you throughout the entire course. In addition, there are timing checkpoints at the aid stations that record split times, which can be followed live throughout the day. The relevant websites for live tracking and split time results will be shared prior to the event.
Did you choose a tracker?
If so, you can collect it at the race office when you check in. The tracker must be securely attached on or at the top of your race vest. If needed, our team will be happy to help you with this.
Using the shared tracking link, friends and family can search for your name or start number to follow your progress and cheer you on along the route.
NOTE! You can reserve a tracker until 3 weeks before the start of the ultra.
We do not keep waiting lists for sold-out ultras. If a ticket becomes available after sell-out, it will automatically reappear on our website, even if the event page still shows “sold out.” We recommend checking the website regularly. If we do use a waiting list for a specific event, this will always be clearly stated on the website.
No, non-participants are not allowed to run along to support or pace. The only places where support is allowed are at the aid stations. If you use a pacer or receive unauthorized support on the route, you will be disqualified immediately.
The results of our ultras are shared with the UTMB and are personal. Therefore, participants must be able to identify themselves if requested. This allows us to verify the accuracy of the results shared with the UTMB. If a participant cannot identify themselves or their information does not match, they will be removed from the results.
If your question isn’t answered above, please submit it via the question form at the bottom of the event page, and we’ll get back to you.