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Home / MTB Tips / Survey

In addition to mountain biking, do you run too?

Mountain bikers: Tell us about your relationship with running.

By Jeff Barber
March 30, 2025 Last Updated: March 30, 2025

12 comments

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Some of us ride mountain bikes because we can’t run anymore. For others, running is just a way to get faster on the bike. And sometimes we run because we don’t have time for a ride.

Tell us why you do run or don’t run in the comments below. And if you’re a runner, how often do you run on trails?

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Jeff Barber

Jeff Barber has been mountain biking since 1992 and has tested hundreds of mountain bikes and components. He is the co-founder of Singletracks and serves as Editor in Chief. Contact him at jeff@singletracks.com.

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12 Comments

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SkiBikeHike Alberta // 2025
3 weeks ago

I'll go for a couple runs a year, mainly to remind myself how much it sucks.

1 reply

Sendero Texas // 2025
3 weeks ago

Hell no, are you crazy? I could trip and get hurt. Alright, hold my beer while I hit this double black.

0 reply

highland.hippie Queensland // 2021
3 weeks ago

I came to MTBing from ultra trail running.

After about 8 years, for a number of reasons, I fell out of love with running. MTB filled the gap, while still allowing me to spend my time out in nature.

If on foot, I'm usually hiking, but I have had the occasional spur to run in the 5 (or so) years that I've been on the MTB.

0 reply

David Brow& North Carolina // 2015
3 weeks ago

I once enjoyed running on trails. My shins and knees can't take the beating from running any more. Hiking is my secondary activity now.

0 reply

Bontrager fan 1972 New South Wales // 2023
3 weeks ago

I run on footpaths and while doing so , collect beverage containers to raise money for bicycle charity work .

0 reply

CloudKing Pennsylvania // 2025
3 weeks ago

I run on one weekday before work on single track trails to improve my overall fitness. I like it because it improves my mountain biking endurance and helps reduce imbalances.

0 reply

brett.williams Colorado // 2013
2 weeks ago

I run when either injury or weather makes mountain biking super difficult or impossible. So that means quite a lot for some periods, but not consistently. So I couldn't pick any of the answers.

0 reply

thebadpixel Delaware // 2022
3 weeks ago

I'll hike sometimes, but otherwise all of the things I love involve climbing up hills and going Wheeeeeeeeee back down, so biking and skiing (DH, BC, XC) and an occasional rock climb.

0 reply

Muke Colorado // 2021
3 weeks ago

Noooo running is so boring. I've tried so many times over the years. My theory is I've spent so much time on bikes that I'm used to getting a certain amount of speed and distance for a certain amount of effort, so running feels like riding uphill, into a headwind, pulling a trailer, forever.

0 reply

bthomas101 Colorado // 2012
5 days ago

Once you get past the "running sucks" phase (doesn't take long), I find it melts my stress away. I started running a couple miles a few times a week, and now it's 3-5 miles about 4-5 times a week. I like it because it's easy... jump out of bed, put on shoes and go. There are many (many) times I have not wanted to go for a run, but I never finished a run and thought "I wish I hadn't done that." I love mountain biking but its a 2 hour minimum commitment by the time you load up and get to the trail head, etc.

0 reply

Vermountain_Biker Vermont // 2025
3 weeks ago

Trail running is excellent cross-training for MTB. Builds up baseline cardio capacity and keeps weight down. Plus I often pick up on different line options and approaches when running or hiking a trail vs. riding it. Also a good option on bad weather days or if you don't have enough time to get a proper ride in.

0 reply

daveedwardz@gmail.com England // 2025
3 weeks ago

Running is a bit geeky

-2 reply

Tagged: endurance, fitness, running, survey, tips

First published March 30, 2025 @ 13:40:02