Horizontal Logo
Dirt Circus Landing Page wide banner

Dirt Circus is a celebration of community and sport, a spectacle of all things trail running, an exhibition of what's possible when we come together on the trails.

 

PROMOTING LOCAL RACES
Trail running is a unique sport because of the people within the trail community. At the heart of the community are the local races and the race directors.
 
Dirt Circus is a chance to get to know your local race directors and learn about new races. The race directors are the architects of the dreamiest and most challenging events. They are the voice inside your head that keeps asking you "can you do it?" Come on down to Dirt Circus and hang out with them.

2026 Schedule

January 31— Tempe, AZ with Sole Sports (Registration Open Now!)
May 30 — Chicago, IL with The Running Depot, Crystal Lake
June 6 — San Francisco, CA with San Francisco Running Company
July 22 — Seattle, WA with Seven Hills Running Shop
August 8 — Boulder, CO with Runners Roost Boulder
August 22 — Park City, UT with Rendezvous Run
August 29 — Los Angeles, CA with A Snail’s Pace, Chino Hills
October 18 — Dallas, TX with Trailhead Running Supply, Flower Mound
November 7 — Nashville, TN as part of the U.S. Trail Running Conference

free community events

Each event is FREE but space is limited to around 250 attendees. 

What to Expect

  • Celebrate local trail running, learn about local races and talk to race directors.
  • Community Run with shoe demos from your favorite trail running brands.
  • Raffles and giveaways!
  • Race Expo - learn about local races, coaches, and local clubs.
  • Local brand reps hawking their wares
  • Food, drinks, and more available for purchase

Why a Circus?

Once upon a time, ultrarunning looked a little different. The sport has its roots in pedestrianism, where people would gather under the big top and walk and run for sport. Bets were made, the limits were pushed, and popularity soared. So come entertain yourselves with us, under the metaphorical big top.


Our goal is to connect runners with races and with one another, to highlight race directors, running stores, coaches, and the other local businesses that make up the fabric of our trail running community. The best way we know how to do that is by going for a run together. This sport is a little wild and we like it that way, so come join the Dirt Circus with us.


Meet with race directors, find your next event, run with friends, win prizes and more. Think of it as a live and in-person version of ultrasignup.com, but even more fun.

DSC08583
TDA04920

FAQs

Q: How much does it cost to attend Dirt Circus?
A: Dirt Circus community events are free!

Q: Where exactly will the events be in each city?
A: You can find this information on the individual event pages. We will continue to add more info as the permits are finalized.

Q: What will the community run be like? Who should participate?
A: The community run will be a 1 hour, no drop run. We encourage all event attendees to participate!

Q: I am a race director, how do I exhibit at a Dirt Circus event?
A: Reach out to Carrie Meng, cmeng@ultrasignup.com to get set up in the event expo.