Welcome to Taper Up: Where Passion Meets the Trails
Welcome to Taper Up! We’re thrilled to have you here as we lace up, hit the ground running, and embark on this exciting journey together. At Taper Up, we believe that runners over 50 deserve to thrive on and off the trails. Inspired by the tapering strategy that optimizes race performance, our mission is to create engaging, educational, and empowering content that helps runners "Taper Up" in life, health, and fitness—no matter their pace. By combining expert insights and decades of trail-running experience, we aim to inspire our community to enjoy the trails to their fullest potential.
Meet the Founders: Aric W. Manning and Joel Hatch
Aric W. Manning
Aric W. Manning’s love affair with trails began in 2006, and since then, he’s worn nearly every hat imaginable in the trail running world. Runner? Check. Race director? Check. Podcaster? You bet. Whether managing teams, testing gear, founding the HUMR (Happy Utah Mountain Runners), or volunteering at events, Aric’s passion for the sport runs deep.
In 2015, Aric brought TrailManners to life, creating a space for stories, adventures, and the connections that make trail running special. For Aric, the friendships he’s forged over the years are the true treasure of this community. As he puts it: “Mountains and trails are my passions, and I can’t say no to a good adventure.” Now, alongside Joel Hatch, he’s ready to take things to the next level with Taper Up. Let’s see where the trail leads us!
Joel Hatch
Joel Hatch’s trail running journey began as a happy accident in the late 1990s. Originally, it was just a way to get off the mountain quickly after climbing in the Tetons, but it soon became a passion that outpaced his other outdoor pursuits. Over time, running trails evolved from a seasonal pastime to his primary obsession.
Joel has tackled trail marathons, 50Ks, and 100-milers, always bringing his trademark enthusiasm and humor to the sport. Despite calling himself an “aspiring mid-packer,” he’s trail running’s biggest fan, with a deep love for everything from grassroots races like El Vaquero Loco to the spectacle of events like Western States 100. With Taper Up, Joel is excited to continue sharing the joy, grit, and camaraderie that make trail running so special.
What to Expect from Taper Up
We’re here to keep you inspired and informed with a packed schedule of weekly content. Here’s what you can look forward to:
Weekly Blog Posts or Articles: Deep dives into topics relevant to runners over 50, from training tips and injury prevention to inspiring stories and race recaps.
Weekly Podcasts: Tune in as we interview trail running legends, uncover incredible stories, and share insights into the sport we all love.
Weekly YouTube Videos: Visual content covering training tips, gear reviews, race footage, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the trail running world.
Daily Social Media Posts: Stay connected with bite-sized content, updates, and conversations to keep you motivated and entertained throughout the week.
The Trail Awaits
Taper Up is more than just a website—it’s a community, a resource, and a celebration of the trail running lifestyle for runners over 50. We’re here to share the stories, spark the conversations, and provide the inspiration that will keep you coming back for more. Whether you’re hitting the trails for the first time or chasing your next ultra, Taper Up is here to be your companion every step of the way.
So let’s get started—the trail is calling.
Behind-the-Scenes Note: This blog post got a little help from a Large Language Model (LLM)—think of it as a supercharged research buddy. But don’t worry, the final polish, personality, and any bad puns are 100% human-made. We fact-check, fine-tune, and make sure it sounds like us, not a robot in running shoes.
