Golden Trail Series: Sage Canaday uses pressure and incentives to bring out his best ahead of Nepal final
- The American runner has seen prize money and sponsorship rise in the sport of trail running, adding more pressure, but privilege too, to run
American runner Sage Canaday is using the pressure of running for prizes, sponsors and incentives to fuel his best performance. He is in Nepal to run the Golden Trail Series (GTS) final on Friday against some of the best mountain runners in the world.
The GTS has been fought over six races across Europe, and one in America. The top 10 men, and top 10 women, won a place in the final, a 42km race in the Annapurna region.
Canaday’s best result in the series came on his home turf, when he finished second in the Pikes Peak Marathon in Manitou Springs, Colorado. It is a two-hour drive from where he lives, and he was joined by his parents.
It was a contrast to the other races when he had to travel to Scotland for the Ring of Steall, where he came eighth, or to Sierre-Zinal in Switzerland, where he finished 11th.
Running in a series, rather than a one-off event, changes the experience for Canaday.
“There’s definitely more pressure, but there’s more incentive. I think that’s part of the pressure,” he said. “Everyone wants to get that final trip to Nepal, there’s also prize money at some of the races and travel support.
