Kyle Richardson

Moving through the landscape has always been a part of my life. I have vivid memories of racing the school bus home on my bike and heading straight into the greenbelt behind my house to build forts and explore the trails with my brother and our friends. My time outside was a priority and my early years exploring helped me formulate my passion for the outdoors. 

My background as a mountain athlete is rooted in trail running. I have always felt something special about exploring the land with my two feet. I like how trail and mountain running forces you to focus your attention to the details. Sometimes that attention is the very next step that needs careful placement or a scan of the surroundings for what lies ahead. The pace at which one sees the world while running is something I really connect with.  

I was very fortunate to grow up and live in an area with an extensive network of developed trails which fueled my love for running. This network allowed to me to explore and expand my passion for moving my body through the landscape. My parents cultivated my passion for the outdoors by exposing me to many different landscapes.  I remember going on countless trips all across the United States to different natural wonders and national parks. Countless ski trips, summer mountain adventures, and weekend camping excursions.

Unlike most kids that grew up running, I never really pursued running athletics in school (besides 8th grade track season). Running was always something I did on my own time for fun and pleasure. Instead of focusing on competitive sports, I picked up the drums in 5th grade and pursued music all the way through college. Through my teen years, I fueled my creative side by pursuing music. After graduating in 2018 from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a Bachelors degree in Percussion Performance and a business minor, I started to push myself back into the mountain space. I began to see my body as a tool and the mountains as the setting; likened to a blank canvas blooming with possibilities to be creative. Running was no longer my only mode of transportation and the trails alone did not define my routes.  

I started to mix in climbing, scrambling, and biking into my pursuits of the mountains. All these modes of travel are tools, the possibilities outside are endless when you expand and diversify your skill set.  I feel the most at home when I’m outside pushing my body to its limits. I draw my inspiration from the landscape and use this to push myself physically, mentally, and emotionally. I have a deep sense of appreciation and respect for the mountains, and it is where I feel most alive.