Hi, my name is Bryon Powell and I’m the Founding Editor of iRunFar.com. It should come as little surprise that I love running, especially trail running. I’ve now been passionate about trail running for most of my life and, since 2002, I’ve focused on ultra-distance trail running. In fact, I enjoy trail running and ultramarathons enough that in April 2009 I quit my job as a Washington, DC-based attorney to make my passion for trail running into my profession, leading iRunFar as its full-time Editor-in-Chief from then through May 2023. Let me share how I got to that point including my running history, my current professional pursuits, and a bit more about me.
My Running History
During my more than three decades of running, I’ve gathered varied experience. When I entered high school, I joined the cross country team and was the slowest guy on the team… by far. Three years later, after receiving much encouragement and support, I was a three-season team captain and relatively successful distance runner. I next ran for Haverford College, first as a middle distance runner (800, 1500, 3000, steeplechase) and then, oddly enough, as a sprinter (200, 400, 400 hurdles). After college, I quickly returned to distance running. Within one year and two years after graduation, respectively, I had logged my first marathon and my first ultramarathon. I’m still running today. You can keep up with my training on Strava.
Bryon Powell one his was to winning the Ultra Gobi 250 Mile. Photo: Daniel Keppler
My Writing
As noted above, I’ve followed my growing passion for trail running by focusing more on trail running when I wasn’t running. This engagement led to me launch the iRunFar website. Since late 2007, I’ve written more than 1,000 of iRunFar’s articles, conducted many 100s of interviews with top runners, and edited 100s of additional articles by regular contributors and guest writers. I also penned the book, Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons, and co-authored Where the Road Ends: A Guide to Trail Running with iRunFar’s Managing Editor Meghan Hicks.
From 2009-2011, I did a decent amount of freelance writing for national running magazines and major online media outlets before redoubling my efforts toward iRunFar. That writing included articles for Outside, Trail Runner, Running Times, Competitor, and Ultrarunning Magazine. I’ve also been a trail running field tester for Outside Online and a contributing writer at The Gear Junkie. In the past, I’ve been a contributing editor at Trail Runner magazine and an advisory board member of the American Trail Running Association.
Racing above 15,000 feet at the Yading Skyrace in China. Photo: Roger Graham
Here are some samples of my earlier freelance work:
. I’m currently a board member of Running Rivers, a non-profit that protects and restore coldwater ecosystems and also happens to put on Flyathlons, a unique combination of trail running and fly fishing.
More About Me
Well, fancy that, you’re still reading! As alluded to earlier, I was once a food and drug attorney in Washington, DC. I had a great job, but it wasn’t what I wanted to be doing with my life. That’s why in the spring of 2009 I quit my job, sold my house, and moved to the outskirts of Yosemite National Park in California. For the 2010s, I called Utah my home. First, in Park City for three years before setting into the high desert outside of Moab. Currently, I split time between Silverton, Colorado and Wanaka, New Zealand.
Me running in the canyonlands outside of Moab, Utah. Photo: Meghan Hicks
Since committing to iRunFar fulltime in 2009, I’ve got to meet so many amazing people, have traveled to spectacular locations around the world, and have shared trail running and ultrarunning with the world. My work at iRunFar has constantly evolved over the past decade. These days, I work slightly less than fulltime under the title of Founding Editor, while I lead our gear program, both in the form of individual reviews and buyers guides. I also help with the site’s race coverage and other editorial work from time to time, while doing a bit more writing on the website. It’s my sincere hope that my immersion in the trail running life can help provide you with the highest level of informed commentary about the races, places, people, and gear that you want to hear about.
If you’re still looking to find out more about me, take a look at this set of interviews and stories I’ve pulled together.
Interviews and Profiles
Over the years, I’ve been interviewed and profiled about… well, being me. (Admittedly, I’ve not updated this list in a while!)
- Bryon Powell Does Run Far – video (Adventure Pro – May 2017)
- He Runs Far (Haverford Alumni mag – May 2017)
- Beyond Ultras Podcast (April 2017)
- The Negative Splits Podcast (July 2016)
- Mr. & Mrs. Gump (FitWild.com – July 2016)
Last updated January 2026
Finishing the 400-kilometer Ultra-Trail Gobi Race in 2015. Photo: Nick Muzik
