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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

13 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 [email protected].

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13 Comments

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SkiBikeHike Alberta // 2025
Mar 31, 2025

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

3 reply

bthomas101 Colorado // 2012
Apr 17, 2025

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.

1 reply

Sendero Texas // 2025
Apr 2, 2025

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
Apr 2, 2025

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
Apr 1, 2025

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
Mar 30, 2025

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

0 reply

CloudKing Pennsylvania // 2025
Mar 31, 2025

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
Apr 3, 2025

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
Mar 31, 2025

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
Apr 1, 2025

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

Vermountain_Biker Vermont // 2025
Mar 30, 2025

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

OhioFatBiker Ohio // 2016
May 1, 2025

I voted "never", but I suppose that is not totally true. If someone very large was chasing me or a building was on fire, I may be motivated enough to run.

-1 reply

[email protected] England // 2025
Apr 1, 2025

Running is a bit geeky

-4 reply

Tagged: endurance, fitness, running, survey, tips

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