Race Directors Called Upon to Petition Against United States Forest Service Hiring Freeze

November 27, 2024

Many trail runners in the United States recreate on public lands, much of which is managed by the USFS. From clearing trails to fighting fires to keeping long-drop toilets at trailheads clean and stocked with toilet paper, the USFS plays a critical role in caring for the 193 million acres of forests they manage, and our ability to recreate in them. They also issue the special-use permits that trail races rely on to operate. Much of this work is performed by seasonal employees, some of the 2,400 people hired for short-term contracts in a typical year.

So, when the USFS announced their hiring freeze on all seasonal employees, the running community quickly realized the effects it could have on the sport of trail running in the U.S. and mobilized a campaign of race directors to encourage the United States Congress to bring back funding. iRunFar