How Rachel Tomajczyk Rose to the Highest Levels of Trail Running—in Two Years

This article originally appeared on Trail Runner

Rachel Tomajczyk, a 30-year-old professional runner from Williams, Arizona, is only two years removed from her shift from the track to the trail. She recently won the 21K (13 miles) at the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship and had a strong showing at the Golden Trail World Series Final. But while Tomajczyk's recent accomplishments in trail running signify a newfound success, the terrain itself is not entirely uncharted for her.

During high school in Plano, Texas, Tomajczyk amassed three Texas State titles and a national title at the Nike Cross Nationals in 2010. This early success propelled her to Baylor University, where she was a six-time All-American. Her post-collegiate life saw her venture into professional track running. She achieved significant milestones, including qualifying for the Olympic Trials in the steeplechase and securing a spot on a USA Team in cross-country. Her story took an unexpected turn in the summer of 2021 when she felt the allure of trail running.

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"My husband, Drew, was the one who convinced me to really give trail running a try," said Tomajczyk. "When we got married, we moved from Virginia to Arizona, partially for his job, but also to give me better access to training at altitude and on trails."

Reflecting on her partnership with Merrell, she emphasizes the comprehensive support that has been instrumental in her athletic pursuits. "From the people behind the company, to the financial support, to the gear I have for training and racing, my partnership with Merrell has changed everything for me." Tomajczyk said.

XTERRA Trail Run World Champion

Tomajczyk recounts a transformative moment on Maine's Sugarloaf Mountain during the 14th XTERRA Trail Run World Championship in the 21K, where she knew the downhill would be instrumental to success. During practice runs on the course, it felt choppy and awkward.

"I felt a switch go off in my mind, and I was racing so differently from how I practiced," explained Tomajczyk. "I was dodging roots and rocks, and each footstep felt so fluid and invigorating. I ended up catching first place and passing her on the downhill. Instead of the downhill being the most dreaded part of the race, it became my favorite."

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This shift in mindset marked a pivotal moment for Tomajczyk and highlighted the incredible power of self-belief in competitive running. "I think the human mind is incredible," she said. "It's amazing what our minds can do when we are confident and convince ourselves we can do something. Belief in yourself is one of the most powerful things you can have."

Off the Trail Ministry

Beyond the trail, Tomajczyk finds balance through faith, community engagement, and coaching. Deeply grounded in Christianity, she finds solace in daily prayer and meditation. Her spiritual relationship is an anchor in the fickle journey of a competitive runner, providing a sense of purpose beyond race results.

"My faith is very important to me, so that's number one," Tomajczyk explained. "Running always has ups and downs. Someday I won't be able to compete anymore--so basing my value or worth in running will always fail me. I have to place my value and worth in something that is unwavering and solid, and for me, that's God. Spending time each day in prayer and meditating on God and who He's made me to be helps ground and balance me."

Volunteering with middle schoolers in the local community and coaching athletes online became outlets for connecting with others and sharing the wisdom garnered from 18 years of running experience.

"I also coach runners online. I usually have 20 to 25 athletes at a time. They're athletes from high schoolers racing cross-country to athletes in their 50s or 60s racing marathons," said Tomajczyk. "My favorite part of coaching is seeing others start to believe and have confidence in themselves. It's so cool to see confidence grow in someone else and to see someone start to dream big, whether that's a high schooler or someone in their 50s."

In exploring the why behind her running, Tomajczyk's response is not confined to personal achievements, but reflects a profound sense of purpose.

"I believe God created me with a talent and love for running, so my main drive is to use that talent to exalt Him," said Tomajczyk. "If I believe that and if I'm doing my best, that's the only thing that matters. I could fail or succeed, and it would be okay--I'm free to take risks and run. I'm also motivated to run because I love it, and I love challenging myself. It's so fun to push my limits and explore new places along the way."

Golden Trail World Series Final in Italy

Having prepared for the Golden Trail World Series Final throughout her two-year trail running journey, Tomajczyk shared her excitement about the race in Italy.

"The final in Italy was so fun," explained Tomajczyk. "The competition was fierce, and the course had a bit of everything, from steep climbs to technical descents. I raced two races, the prologue and the final. The prologue was a short up-and-down classic mountain-style race, and the final had about six big climbs and descents up steep Italian mountains overlooking turquoise ocean water and even up and down old castle steps at the end of the race."

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Happy with her performance, she highlighted the progress made from the previous year. "Last year I didn't make the series final, so making the final and finishing 22nd in a series like this with a world-class field is a huge step up from last year," said Tomajczyk. "Although it's a big step, I know there are still some things I can work on. My legs were fried mid-race, so practicing running fast on technical descents and a little more practice with back-to-back racing are things I can work on in the future."

Commending the Golden Trail Series for its unique approach, Tomajczyk added, "The Golden Trail Series is doing something special, the atmosphere created at their races is electric, and this series creates a lot of hype for the sub ultra-trail category, so I'm thankful to be part of that."

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