The Freetrail Podcast with Dylan Bowman Lauren Gregory | Classic 14K World Championships Pre-Race Interview 2025
Sep 26, 2025
Lauren Gregory, a professional trail and mountain runner for Nike ACG, shares her insights as she prepares for the Classic 14K at the 2025 World Championships. She reflects on her past junior championships, mentoring younger athletes, and the evolving landscape of collegiate trail running. Lauren discusses balancing college eligibility with her pro ambitions, her recent race highlights, and the characteristics of the Classic course. With guidance from her coach Ben True, she shares techniques to manage nerves and her goals for both team and individual success.
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Early International Experience
- Lauren recounts making a junior cross team in 2015 and competing at the 2017 World Championships in Pramana.
- She names teammates like Allie Mack and Joe Gray and reflects on longevity in competition.
Mentoring Younger Teammates
- Lauren describes acting as a 'junior plus' mentor to younger athletes and coordinating college schedules for trail events.
- She highlights examples of college athletes negotiating pro/trail opportunities and being inspired by those routes.
Colleges Are Missing Trail Talent
- Lauren sees college programs excluding trail athletes as a missed opportunity that loses talent.
- She hopes collegiate policies evolve to integrate trail running rather than block it.