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Meet Abby Stone, a 19-year-old trail running phenom who's rewriting the traditional path to mountain running success. After placing 19th at the prestigious Broken Arrow Skyrace 23K in her first-ever trail race, Abby made the bold decision to leave collegiate running behind and dive headfirst into the world of mountain racing.

What makes Abby's story so compelling is her refreshing perspective on competition. While she struggled with the pressure and "business" side of track and cross country, she found immediate joy on the trails. "I've never been a big racer, always hated racing like cross country and track," she explains. "And then as soon as I stepped on trails, I have the funnest time." This fundamental shift in mindset has propelled her to unexpected heights, including earning a spot on Team USA for the World Mountain Running Championships in the U20 division.

Growing up in the mountains of Utah gave Abby a natural affinity for technical terrain, complemented by her background as a climber. This multidisciplinary approach gives her a distinct advantage on challenging courses that require scrambling skills—something she hopes to leverage in future Skyrunning events. Her unique combination of steeplechase experience, climbing ability, and pure love for mountain environments positions her as an exciting talent to watch in the coming years.

Beyond racing, Abby balances her running ambitions with training to become a paramedic, eventually hoping to join search and rescue operations. This pragmatic approach to building dual careers showcases a maturity beyond her years, as she navigates the emerging opportunities for professional trail runners while maintaining perspective on long-term goals.

Follow Abby's journey as she prepares to represent the United States on the world stage, and witness firsthand how the next generation of trail runners is forging new paths in the sport. Give her a follow on Instagram at abbystone0 and let her know what you thought about this conversation!

Follow Abby on IG - @abbystone0

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Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello

Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod

Use code steepstuffpod for 25% off your cart at UltimateDirection.com!