Delivering East Coast trail and ultra running adventures

13 minutes ago
4 min read

East Coast Adventures founder and race director David Compton is passionate about the sport of trail and ultra running.

By Henry Howard

It’s easy to understand why David Compton launched East Coast Adventures, a trail and ultra race company that puts on events, handles timing, produces a podcast and uplifts the community.

“Running creates a bond and a family with fellow runners, family members, and volunteers that builds a community and a movement of people who come together to help each other to be better mentally and physically improving overall health,” he writes on the East Coast Adventures (ECA) webpage. “Running is much like life. Some days are really good and some days are tough. The tough days define us and keep us pushing to do more than we ever thought we could. That’s the hardest and most rewarding part of running.”

Thanks in large part to Compton and his team, East Coast trail and ultra running events occur throughout the year, representing its steady growth.

For his contributions to trail and ultra races, he is my featured race director for May, the 29^th in this series. In January 2024, I kicked off this monthly feature to pay tribute to the trail and ultra race directors who make the sport great.

To see previous RDs featured, they are all available here. If you have any nominations, feel free to email me here or fill out this form.

David Compton, East Coast Adventures race director

The weekly Dirt & Vert podcast shares amazing stories of runners and why they do what they do.

Question: Why did you get into race directing?

Answer: Because this sport has given me so much and changed my life in ways I never imagined. I love seeing people achieve things they never thought were possible. I just wanted to give back to this amazing community. We now offer events all year through our nonprofit organization East Coast Adventures and host a weekly podcast called Dirt & Vert where we get to share amazing stories of runners and why they do what they do. Over the last few years we have grown a team of amazing runners that represent East Coast Adventures. They are so kind and talented. We have several runners on the team who hold overall state records and have been rescheduled in the top 100 for their time and distance.

Question: How did you get your start as an RD?

Answer: I had the idea in 2019 and convinced my friend and running buddy Mike Taylor that he should help me launch it together. We created an event in 2020 (Fort Frenzy Ultra Festival) at one of our local state parks and East Coast Adventures was born.

Question: What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned about yourself since you became an RD?

East Coast Adventure RD David Compton says his favorite race to direct is Fort Frenzy because it was his organization's first event.

Answer: I never thought it would grow into something as large as it has and that we would meet so many amazing people and how those connections would slowly help us in so many positive ways. Every decision you make comes back to you. Be kind and give as much as possible. I just love this community and our runners and love seeing them accomplish amazing things.

Question: What’s your best piece of advice for someone who wants to RD?

Answer: Just start. The only way to learn is to just start doing the process. If you have questions, message me. I’ve helped RD’s start their first event and create a new event. It’s a lot of work but the reward is so worth it.

Question: What’s your favorite race to direct?

Answer: As of right now, it’s Fort Frenzy because it was our first event. The Cherokee Ultra is the most rewarding and hardest race for us to do in the Cherokee National Forest.

Question: What’s your favorite race to run?

David Compton directs races and also runs challenging events.

Answer: Trick question. All of them! I think Vol State was the most humbling experience as far as an event goes. Honestly I love running in events where the RD is engaged and cheering people on. This is such a small thing that means so much.

Question: Tell me about a funny experience as an RD and what you learned from it.

Answer: One year, all of the RDs were on the bus heading to Vol State, a 314-mile race across Tennessee and we forgot to order the shirts and hoodies for our event. So we are on the bus trying to download the orders, creating the artwork, getting the sponsors’ images and submitting it to our supplier. It was hectic and crazy but we got it all done!

Question: If a runner can only do one of your races ever, it would be ....:

Answer: Fort Frenzy Ultra Festival. You get to see the vibe of the ECA Family and feel the camaraderie. You get cheered every loop. There is a distance for everyone. You have full support from the aid station volunteers. Our photographers are just amazing and capture your day so perfectly.

Question: What exciting project do you have in the works?

Answer: Smoky Mountain 24 Hour Challenge in Sevierville, Tenn., in October. We are collaborating with Yeti Trail Runners (previous feature on RD Jason Green) on this event. It’s going be so much fun!!

Question: Where can runners find out more about your races?

Answer: