SIX03 Endurance’s Tom Hooper and Paul Kirsch are thrilled to introduce an exciting new event for high school athletes: the New England High School Trail Running Championships. This mountain trail race is designed exclusively for high school students and offers a unique opportunity to experience the thrill of trail running.
Event Details
The race will take place at Mount Sunapee, New Hampshire, immediately following the US Mountain Running Championships at the Sunapee Scramble on Sunday, June 1st. The course spans just over 4 miles and features a mix of service roads, cat track, ski trails, and singletrack paths.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Trail Runners
Paul Kirsch, who has spent 15 years as the U20 Team Leader for the US Mountain Running Team and two years as the U18 Co-Team Leader, is passionate about introducing young runners to the joys of mountain and trail racing.
“It’s always great to see young runners get hooked on mountain and trail running after the U20 and U18 races,” Kirsch shared. “The American Trail Running Association launched a Youth Trail Running Initiative in 2023, and this event feels like the natural next step—encouraging young athletes to explore trail running and providing a race tailored just for them.”
Tom Hooper, head of Six03 Endurance, added, “Every young athlete can try out track and cross-country through their schools. This event is an opportunity to introduce them to another growing aspect of the sport.”
The New England High School Trail Championships draw inspiration from the National High School Trail Championships in Salida, Colorado, which began a few years ago under the leadership of Kenny Wilcox.
“We understand that not every young runner in the Northeast can travel to Colorado for a high school race, so we decided to bring this incredible experience to them,” Hooper explained. “On top of that, they can watch the best mountain and trail runners in the US compete right before their race.”
Who Can Participate?
The event is open to all high school students, including those outside of New England. Awards will be presented in four categories: 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.
Learn More
For complete details about the race, visit:
https://six03endurance.com/newengland-highschool-trail-champs
Register: https://www.ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=120665
Tom Hooper & Paul Kirsch
SIX03 Endurance
