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. 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 nearly 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.
Me during the 2016 Hardrock. Photo: Jared Campbell
My Writing and Coaching
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.
Racing above 15,000 feet at the Yading Skyrace in China. Photo: Roger Graham
Here are some samples of my earlier freelance work:
- America’s Fittest Real Athletes: Neal Gorman Profile – Outside (May ’11)
- Your City’s Dirty Little Secret: A Guide to America’s Top Trail Running Towns – Runners World (Spring ’11 Trail Issue – co-authored with Meghan M. Hicks)
- Mile-High Motivation: A Journey into the Minds of Top Boulder-Area Trail Runners – Trail Runner (May ’11 – co-authored with Meghan M. Hicks)
- Going Global By the Golden Gate: Kiwi and Spaniard Take The North Face 50-Mile Championships – Trail Runner (Mar ’11)
- Walk, Don’t Run: How Hiking Can Speed Up Your Trail Runs – Trail Runner (Mar ’11)
- The Dreaded FOMO: Manage Stress and Recovery to Maximize Performance – Trail Runner (Jan ’11)
- California Dreamin’: Move over Climbers, Trail Runners Discover Yosemite National Park – Trail Runner (Oct 10)
- Run Quietly and Carry Two Big Sticks: Trekking Poles Take off with Trail Runners – Trail Runner (June ’10)
- The North Face Endurance Challenge: Competition Rules – UltraRunning (Mar ’10)
- Running and Politics: Trail Running Races in Wilderness Areas – Running Times (Dec ’09)
- Profile on Caitlin Smith & Devon Crosby-Helms – Trail Runner (Nov ’09)
- Deluge in the Desert – UltraRunning (Aug ’09)
- Presidential Race – JFK 50 – Running Times (Sept ’08)
- Tips For Running Your First Ultramarathon – Competitor Running ( Sept ’09)
- Do I Really Need a Trail Shoe? – Competitor Running (July ’09)
I’ve also contributed a three-page “Equipment Tips” section to the second edition of the book The Ultimate Guide to Trail Running by Adam W. Chase and Nancy Hobbs published in 2010. (Pages 134-37)
In addition, I’ve been quoted in and provided video content for major running outlets. For example:
- Why Older Runners are Ultrarunners – New York Times (May 13, 2015) (quoted)
- Endurance Running in the Woods Is a Great (But Dirty) Experience (May 12, 2015) (quoted)
- Becoming the All-Terrain Human – New York Times Magazine (March 20, 2013)
- Extreme sports in high India: an ultramarathon tests human endurance – Christian Science Monitor (August 31, 2010) (quoted)
- Growing Pains – Trail Runner (Dec ’08) (quoted)
- Overcoming the Ultramarathon Mind Game – Runner’s World (Mar ’08) (quoted)
- Interview with Ultramarathoner Anton Krupicka – Competitor Running (Aug ’09) (produced video)
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. 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 Moab and Silverton, Colorado.
Me running in the canyonlands east of my Moab home. Photo: Meghan Hicks
Since committing to iRunFar fulltime, 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 manage iRunFar’s operations, report from upward of a dozen top races a year, and, thankfully, am moving back to 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 July 29, 2023
Finishing the 400-kilometer Ultra-Trail Gobi Race. Photo: Nick Muzik
