Peter Fain may be most recognizable as the tall slim figure running straight up Castle Peak, 20 miles north of Lake Tahoe in California. His passion for competition and performance-based mountain running is evident in his racing and his coaching.
Peter’s long history in racing includes Combat Cross Country in the US Army; running the 400, 800 & 1500 in college; and a US national title in snowshoe racing. He also holds several trail race course records. Peter has been coaching trail runners and ultra marathoners full-time for the past three years. He holds a USATF Level 1 coaching certification.
In 2014, Peter helped found the Donner Party Mountain Runners and continues to serve as Board President. He also created the Castle Peak 100k course and is co-Director of that race, along with the Racing Gnome Snowshoe race.
When he’s not running, coaching trail runners or volunteering in support of the running community, Peter can be found managing the bar or creating your favorite pre-prohibition drink at Moody’s in downtown Truckee.
Running Community
USATF Level 1 Coach
Donner Party Mountain Runners, President & FOUNDING Member
Castle Peak 100k, Co-Race Director
Racing Gnome Snowshoe Races, Race Director
Salomon, Ambassador
Atlas Snowshoe Company, Racing Team Member
Top Trail Running & Snowshoe Race Results
4th place, 2016 Silver State 50Km
1st place, 2016 Escape from Prison hill 1/2 marathon (course record)
1st place, 2015 Canyons Endurance Run 50k (course record)
2nd place, 2014 Bishop High Sierra 50-miler
1st place, 2014 Escape from Prison Hill Trail 1/2 Marathon
1st place, 2014 Knickerbocker Canyon Trail Run 30k
1st place, 2013 Escape from Prison Trail 1/2 Marathon
1st place, 2012 Lost Sierra Endurance Run 50k
2nd place, 2012 Tahoe Rim Trail 50-miler
1st place, 2011 Silver State 50k
6th place, 2010 World Snowshoe Championships
1st place, 2010 Tahoe Rim Trail 50-miler
1st place, 2009 National Snowshoe Championships
1st place, 2009 Escape from Prison Hill Trail 1/2 Marathon (course record)
1st place, 2009 Tahoe Rim Trail 50k
1st place, 2008 Tahoe Rim Trail 50k
1st place, 2008 Silver State 50K
1st place, 2008 ASC Snowshoe Challenge
2nd place, 2008 Northstar Snowshoe Racing Series Race 1
1st place, 2007 Tahoe Rim 50K (course record)
4th place, 2007 Headlands 50K USATF National Championships
1st place, 2007 ASC Snowshoe Challenge
1st place, 2006 Lake of the Sky 50k
1st place, 2006 Silver State 50K
2nd place, 2005 Silver State 50K (first ultramarathon)
4 top-10 finishes at Pikes Peak Marathon 2002/2006/2009/2010
1996-1998 NCAC Collegiate 800-Meter Champion
1991 European Army Combat Cross Country Champion