The Ultimate Youth Mountain Running Experience at The Broken Arrow Skyrace

The Broken Arrow Skyrace today announced two new youth distances for 2026. Presented in partnership with ACG (All Conditions Gear), a Nike brand designed for athletes who seek the challenge, adventure, and connection of thriving in the wild, the 2026 edition of the Broken Arrow Skyrace will now feature two youth races on the high-alpine trails of Palisades Tahoe: the U-20, the Eagle, and a U-14 race called the Kestrel.

Trail Futures NTN (Nike Trail Nationals) are youth national championship-caliber events, scheduled for Friday, June 19th, 2026. Designed to encourage the development of the next generation of up-and-coming trail runners, Trail Futures NTN is the ultimate youth mountain running experience.

Aimed at runners ages 10-20, Trail Futures NTN is an homage to the NXN (Nike Cross Nationals), an event established to support youth and high school cross-country running in the United States, and widely accepted as an unofficial national championship for high school teams. Similarly, Trail Futures NTN will serve as an incubator for future American trail running athletes, bringing together the best teams and individual runners from across the country.

“With the addition of Trail Futures NTN, our goal is to recognize and celebrate the physical achievements of all runners—not just adults,” said co-race director Brendan Madigan. “We believe the mountain running landscape is missing a meaningful, competitive youth event that elevates and inspires the next generation of emerging trail athletes.”

Trail Futures NTN will showcase two distinct courses, one for ages 10-13 (the Kestrel), and another for runners ages 14-20 (the Eagle). Both races will take place on the afternoon of Friday, June 19th, allowing youth runners to compete against their peers and run on a unique course designed to showcase their talents.

While Trail Futures NTN is designed as a competitive youth event, we encourage all youth athletes to participate. Just as at our other Broken Arrow Skyrace events, whether you finish first or last, YOU are a rockstar, and ALL paces are welcome.

“We have always sought to create an event that provides recreational runners the opportunity to compete alongside the best runners in the world,” said co-race director Ethan Veneklasen. “This has always been one of the things that defines North American trail running, and by applying this ethos to our youth races, we hope to keep this tradition alive for future generations, even as the sport becomes more professionalized.”

Trail Futures NTN will also feature a team component, with the winning team determined by the fastest combined time of each team’s top three runners. Teams may consist of up to five athletes, with separate divisions for men’s, women’s and nonbinary teams.

The goal of Trail Futures NTN is to raise the bar for US youth trail racing, help US youth runners become more competitive at the international level, and maintain a welcoming, inclusive event that celebrates the accomplishments of all youth runners.

Trail Futures NTN: Under-20 The Eagle

Trail Futures NTN U-20 course covers a world-class loop that showcases some of Palisades Tahoe's most famous and technical terrain. While Trail Futures will be run on Friday afternoon, June 19th, as of 2/2/26 the exact start time is still TBD. All course specifics are available on our website.

From the valley floor at 6,200 feet, runners will ascend nearly 2,200 feet as they circumnavigate the heralded terrain of North America's most rugged and extreme ski resort. The course features plenty of vertical gain over a technical, physically demanding landscape that is mostly above treeline.

Trail Futures NTN U-20 is for runners ages 14-20 (on race day). The event costs $40, and scholarships are available if needed (please email us). Team competition is encouraged, with winners determined by the fastest combined time of each team’s top three runners. Teams may consist of up to five athletes, with separate divisions for men’s and women’s teams.

The U-20 course starts from the European arch in front of Coffeebar in the heart of the Village at Palisades Tahoe.? After the start gun, runners head through the Village and east up single-track trails along the Western States Trail toward CA Highway 89. At roughly the 1-mile mark, the course tilts upward, offering a rigorous 1.5-mile climb (1,200-foot gain) to the Snow King aid station.

From Snow King, runners will rip down one short, steep downhill before accessing the highlight of the course - the infamous Red Dog Ridge. This section, which finishes at KT-22, the high point of the course, showcases a stout, exposed, 1-mile climb with 1,400 feet of elevation gain.

From the top of KT, home of some of the most extreme ski terrain in North America, it's all downhill. Runners will charge down the KT service road, complete with steep switchbacks, and, in snow years, potential hand lines and snowfields. Over approximately 2.6 miles, Trail Futures athletes will descend nearly 1,800 feet of vertical to the Palisades Village. The race concludes when each athlete rings the iconic Broken Arrow finish line bell.

Trail Futures NTN U-20 Course Specifics:

• Time: TBD
• Distance: 6.2 miles (10 kilometers)
• Vertical Gain: 2,100 feet (644 meters)
• Aid Station: Snow King (mile 2.5) and KT-22 (mile )

Trail Futures NTN: Under-14 The Kestrel

Trail Futures NTN U-14: This course, designed for runners between the ages of 10 and 13 (ages on race day), remains largely on the lower mountain at Palisades Tahoe. It covers a world-class loop that showcases some of the fastest and most scenic singletrack in the area. From the valley floor at 6,200 feet, runners will ascend approximately 1,400 feet. Along the way, our Trail Futures athletes will experience stout climbs, scenic views, and ripping downhills.

While Trail Futures will be run on Friday afternoon, June 19th, as of 2/2/26 the exact start time is still TBD. All course specifics are available on our website.

The U-14 event costs $30, and scholarships are available if needed (please email us). Team competition is encouraged, with winners determined by the fastest combined time of each team’s top three runners. Teams may consist of up to five athletes, with separate divisions for men’s and women’s teams.

The course starts from the European arch in front of Coffeebar in the heart of the Village at Palisades Tahoe.? After the start gun, runners head through the village and east up single-track trails along the Western States trail toward CA Highway 89. At roughly the 1-mile mark, the course tilts upward, whereby runners will enjoy a rigorous 1.5-mile climb (1,200-foot gain) to the Snow King aid station.

After refreshments on the high point on the course (7,500 feet), runners will descend 1,300 feet to the valley floor using a mix of service roads and single track. Just as with all Broken Arrow participants, finishers will ring the iconic finish line bell to celebrate their accomplishment.

Trail Futures NTN U-14 Course Specifics:

• Time: TBD
• Distance: 4.6 miles (7.35 kilometers)
• Vertical Gain: 1,400 feet (430 meters)
• Aid Station: Snow King (mile 2.5)

Event's current local time: 2:32 PM PT