Independent Risk Factors Predicting Gradual Onset Injury in 2824 Trail Running Race Entrants: SAFER XVIII Study

Trail running is characterized by elevation changes, with uneven and varying running surfaces. Risk factors that may predict gradual-onset running-related injuries (GORRIs) in short-distance trail running have not been explored. The objective was to determine risk factors that predict GORRIs in trail running race entrants who entered mass community-based trail running events. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, data were collected prospectively from a prerace medical screening questionnaire over 4 trail run events held annually. Using a Poisson regression model, runner demographics, race distance, running training/racing variables, history of chronic diseases (number of chronic diseases reported as a cumulative “chronic disease composite score”), and allergies were investigated to determine factors predicting self-reported GORRI history in the previous 12 mo. This study included 2824 race entrants (80% of entrants). The retrospective annual incidence for GORRIs was 13%. Independent risk factors predicting GORRIs were longer race distance (P