The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), in partnership with Salomon NA and the Golden Trail National Series, will conduct pre-race anti-doping education and in-competition testing at the Pikes Peak Ascent and Mammoth Trail Fest this September.

“Trail running athletes have been calling for robust anti-doping protocols in their sport for years, and we are honored to stand with them in the effort,” explains USADA CEO Travis Tygart. “This partnership with the Golden Trail National Series is a great step in the right direction and we hope to see more progress in the future with additional education, increased in-competition testing and the potential addition of out-of-competition testing.”

Under the agreement, the USADA will deliver a pre-race education webinar for all athletes competing in the Mammoth Trail Fest in Mammoth Lakes, CA, and the Pikes Peak Ascent. Additionally, trail running athletes competing in the races will be subject to urine testing during the in-competition period conducted in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) International Standard for Testing and Investigations.

“At Mammoth Trail Fest, we believe in respect to the environment, competitive sport and our community; there is no place for shortcuts or compromised ethics,” shares Mammoth Trail Fest race director Tim Tollefson. “We remain committed to clean sport through advocacy and education. We are delighted that we now offer legitimate gold standard race-day testing at both races through USADA.”

“The Golden Trail Series brings an elevated level of competition to the Pikes Peak Ascent and with this level of competition, we want to advocate for clean sport and enhance the future of trail running,” adds Ryan Linder, Pikes Peak Marathon race director. “Overall, the Pikes Peak Marathon is thrilled to collaborate with Salomon and Mammoth Trail Fest to make this partnership with USADA possible.”

Results management will be conducted by USADA and handled according to the WADA International Standard for Results Management. The USADA publishes any sanctions on its website after the conclusion of the results management process. Race organizers withhold prize money until the agency processes its results.

* ”The USADA conducts year-round, independent anti-doping programs for the Olympics, Paralympics, UFC, and Professional Fighters League (PFL) athletes. USADA is an independent, nonprofit, non-governmental agency whose mission is to stand with athletes to champion their right to clean sport, inspire true and healthy sport and promote the integrity of sport.”