Born in July 2013, the ITRA (International Trail Running Association) aims to give a voice to parties involved in trail running in order to promote its strong values, its diversity, the safety of races and the health of runners, as well as to further the development of trail running and ensure a constructive dialogue between the national and international bodies with an interest in the sport.
Authenticity is the first value of trail running. The sport has as a core tenet a sense of harmony between man and nature. It promotes sports relationships based on simplicity, conviviality, sharing and a fundamental respect for differences. The trail running community values authenticity as highly as physical performance.
In trail running, humility in the face of nature is another core tenet. Together, Listening and learning provide a deeper, fuller understanding of the principles that govern the natural world and our fundamental understanding of a demanding sport in a wild, rugged setting. Humility rests on an understanding of our personal limits, and not jeopardizing our physical or mental abilities.
Fair play refers to the acceptance of rules and the spirit behind the rules, as well. It suggests that each participant should embody the values of trail running: namely, mutual aid towards the other runners, and the respect of all the players involved in the races.
Equality is the search for balance, based on a sense of impartiality and equal opportunities for all runners. All athletes have the same rights and the same duties: it is the responsibility of the organizers to guarantee this principle of fairness and to offer the best possible race conditions to all participants.