Meet the Team

Ultra Trail Chattanooga by UTMB

Boréalys Mont-Tremblant by UTMB

Ultra Trail Whistler by UTMB

HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc

Wildstrubel by UTMB®

Snowbasin by UTMB

Malaysia Ultra-Trail by UTMB 

Kaçkar by UTMB

JD Ultra-Trail Great Wall by UTMB®

Paraty Brazil by UTMB

Grindstone Trail Running Festival

Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB

Nice Côte d'Azur by UTMB®

Chihuahua by UTMB®

TransJeju by UTMB

HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB

Ultra-Trail Mount Yun by UTMB®

Puglia by UTMB

Kullamannen by UTMB

Mallorca by UTMB® 

Ultra-Trail Shudao by UTMB®

Translantau™ by UTMB®

HOKA Pacific Trails California by UTMB

Patagonia BARILOCHE by UTMB

Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB

HOKA Chiang Mai Thailand by UTMB®

Oman by UTMB®

Vietnam Highlands Trail by UTMB

Arc of Attrition by UTMB®

Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB

Puerto Vallarta by UTMB®

Xtrail by UTMB®

Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB

Istria 100 by UTMB 

Desert RATS Trail Running Festival by UTMB

Tenerife Bluetrail by UTMB®

Hiroshima Ultra-Trail by UTMB®

The Canyons Endurance Runs™ by UTMB®

Grand Raid Ventoux by UTMB

Oh Meu Deus by UTMB

Trail Alsace by UTMB

HOKA Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB

Rothrock by UTMB

Mountain Ultra Trail by UTMB

mozart 100 by UTMB

Trail 100 Andorra by UTMB

Zugspitz Ultra Trail by UTMB

Trail du Saint Jacques by UTMB

La Sportiva Lavaredo Ultra Trail by UTMB

Torrencial Chile by UTMB

HOKA Val D'Aran by UTMB®

Trail Verbier St Bernard by UTMB

Eiger Ultra Trail by UTMB

Monte Rosa Walserwaeg by UTMB

Quito Trail Ecuador by UTMB®

Eryri by UTMB®

KAT100 by UTMB

Gauja Trail by UTMB

Bucovina Ultra Rocks by UTMB

Speedgoat Mountain Races by UTMB

Restonica Trail by UTMB

Western States® 100-Mile Endurance Run

Kagaspa Trail Endurance 100 by UTMB

Trail of the Kings - Lake Toba by UTMB

Amazean Jungle Thailand by UTMB

Ultra-Trail Mogan by UTMB®

Ushuaia by UTMB

2026 Warhorse Ultra-Trail Xiamen by UTMB®

Aonijie

Buff

Compressport

Rudy Project

Shokz

Vibram

Nirvana

Hoka

Naak

Suunto

Tudor

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Meet our incredible race director for Ultra Trail Chattanooga by UTMB!

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What inspired Ultra Trail Chattanooga?

Ultra Trail Chattanooga was inspired by the desire to showcase the city's greatest assets: its mountains, trails, and river. I've spent more than a decade directing trail races here and have watched this community embrace the outdoors in a way that's incredibly special. Bringing a UTMB World Series event to Chattanooga isn't about creating something new. It's about sharing the trails, people, and spirit that have been here for years with runners from around the world.

Where are you based?

Chattanooga, Tennessee. It's been home for seventeen years, and I honestly can't imagine a better place to build a trail running community. Between Lookout Mountain, the Tennessee River, and an incredible trail network, it's hard to find a better place to play outside.

What makes Ultra Trail Chattanooga special?

The people.

The trails are beautiful, but what makes this race different is the community behind it. Volunteers, local organizations, land managers, businesses, and runners have all come together to make it happen. Chattanooga has always shown up for outdoor ideas, and Ultra Trail Chattanooga is a reflection of that collaborative spirit.

The course is pretty special too. Runners start near the Tennessee River and climb onto Lookout Mountain within just a few miles, experiencing stunning views of the city along the way.

What is your favorite part of race weekend?

Getting to take care of runners. Whether it's offering a high-five, a hug, or simply helping someone reach a goal they weren't sure they could achieve, those moments are what make race weekend so rewarding.

How long have you been a Race Director?

I've been directing trail races for about ten years. During that time, I've organized everything from local community events to ultramarathons, always with the goal of inspiring runners to do things they never thought possible.

What is your favorite race to volunteer at?

Honestly, any race where I get to high-five, hug, and support runners throughout their day.

What is your favorite race and/or favorite running experience?

There are too many to name. My favorite running experiences are the ones shared with friends. We've traveled to races across the country, gotten lost on local trails, turned 20-mile runs into six-hour adventures, stopped for creek swims and trailside picnics, and even outrun a bear or two. Running has introduced me to some of the most amazing people and places in my life.

What is an interesting fact about yourself that is not generally known?

Before trail running, I spent years dancing and performing in theater. Because of that, I often think about trail races from a creative perspective. What makes an event memorable? What small touches create a unique experience? How do runners feel when they cross the finish line and reflect on their day?

What is your favorite part of the Ultra Trail Chattanooga course?

The climb up Lookout Mountain. It captures what makes Chattanooga so special. Within a few miles, runners go from an urban riverfront setting to mountain terrain, with incredible views of the city along the way.

Why should someone sign up for Ultra Trail Chattanooga?

Because you'll experience more than a race. You'll spend a weekend in one of America's premier outdoor destinations, run incredible trails, meet an incredibly welcoming community, and become part of the UTMB World Series.

What is your best advice for someone starting out?

Start low, go slow, and find some running buddies. Start with a few miles, walk when you need to, and find an accountability partner. The trail running community welcomes everyone, and every experienced ultrarunner started exactly where you are today.

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Ginny Smith has called Chattanooga home for the past seventeen years and has spent more than a decade helping grow the region's trail running community through race directing, advocacy, and community events. She has organized everything from local trail races to ultramarathons, always focused on creating welcoming experiences that inspire runners to push beyond what they thought possible.

A lifelong lover of the outdoors, Ginny is passionate about sharing the trails, people, and spirit that make Chattanooga special. Through Ultra Trail Chattanooga by UTMB, she hopes to introduce runners from around the world to the community she proudly calls home.

Chattanooga has a rare ability to connect mountains, river, trails, and community in one place.

Ginny Smith, Race Director

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