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Big changes hit short trail running, and we’re here for all of it. We kick off The Substack with Rachel Tomajczyk to unpack the new Golden Trail World Series calendar, the late surge into Asia, and why a four-race-plus-final format forces athletes to rethink everything from training blocks to travel budgets. With no US stop on the GTWS schedule and Quebec Mega Trail standing alone in North America, the balance of power and opportunity shifts—especially for American athletes trying to build a season without burning out on flights.

We pull apart the strategy calls that matter now: whether to base in Asia for Japan, China, and a technical South Korea final or bounce back and forth and risk jet lag; when to favor course specificity over brand obligations; and how to use Broken Arrow’s massive platform even without GTWS points on offer. We also look at segment rankings—uphill, downhill, and flats—as a storytelling win that may widen gaps at the top without radically changing podiums. Safety gets a real upgrade too with the prologue removed from the final, a move we applaud after last year’s fatigue-fueled injuries.

Then we turn to the US National Skyrunning Series, with Whiteface, Beast of Big Creek, Ski Talk Scramble, and Kismet Cliff Run creating a steep, technical path on home soil. For athletes who want world-class competition minus transoceanic chaos, this is a timely alternative with real prize purses and accessible travel. Expect East Coast rock and root to reward different strengths than the smooth Euro burners, and watch for new names to break through.

If you’re mapping a 2024 season, this is the roadmap: pick your A-races, respect recovery, and let geography serve your goals. Subscribe, share with a trail friend, and leave a quick review to help more runners find the show. Got a question or a hot take on the calendar? Drop it our way and we might feature it next time.

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