2025 XTERRA Trail Run World Championship
Two runners. One returning after twelve years of injury. The other pushing forward through setback after setback. These are the stories of Cat and David—and the paths that led them back to the trails, and toward Snowdonia.
Every runner has a reason. Sometimes it’s loud and urgent—other times, it’s quiet but constant.
It might be the need to heal, the urge to grow, or the simple joy of moving through wild places. But behind every stride is something that pulls us forward.
Why We Run is a series dedicated to the voices of those bound for the 2025 XTERRA Trail Run World Championship in Snowdonia. It explores the moments that led them to the trail—and the motivation that carries them toward the slopes of Yr Wyddfa in Eryri National Park, Wales.
In this volume, we meet two runners whose paths to the start line haven’t come easy. After years marked by injury and interruption, Cat Conroy and David Haunschmidt are running not just for performance—but for possibility.
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36-year-old David Haunschmidt is originally from Scotland but moved to New Zealand in 2016. As a way to explore his new hometown, he started walking and hiking local trails. He soon realized that he could cover more ground by running, and that was just the beginning.
“A love for trail running emerged from that, and it wasn't long before I was competing in events,” he says.
And compete he did. David has built an impressive race résumé at XTERRA events and beyond, consistently landing on the podium and setting course records along the way. In 2019, he was 2nd in the 19K at the XTERRA Trail Challenge Waihi, 1st at XTERRA Waiuku Forest 19K and 2nd at XTERRA Taupo 19K in 2020, 2nd at XTERRA Rotorua 21K in 2021, and 1st at XTERRA West Wind in 2023.
At the 2023 XTERRA European Trail Run Championship in the Brenta Dolomites, David was crowned the European Trail Marathon Champion, finishing the 45K run with a time of 4:48:05. He repeated the feat at the XTERRA Wellington Festival in New Zealand in March 2025, winning with a time of 3:20:48, in addition to four other wins this year.
But a string of bad luck and multiple injuries has derailed David’s preparation for the 2025 Trail Run World Championship.
“I was knocked off my bike, which caused several injuries, including a quadriceps tear and severe concussion. Returning to good running form over the past few months has been a challenge,” he says. “On top of that, a COVID-19 infection and a stubborn ankle strain have also hampered progress.”
Perhaps ironically, David is known as “the Flying Doctor,” because he’s an emergency room physician, in addition to being a trail runner, triathlete, and endurance coach.
As a doctor, he knows how long it takes to recover from injuries like these. As a champion runner, he knows what it takes to get back to top form, and his qualification for the Trail Run World Championship has been his main source of motivation.
“I think, when you’re injured or sick, having a clear goal to work towards is a great motivator. It can be pretty easy to make excuses and let things slide. Having a target that makes you accountable is incredibly powerful,” he says.
“During all this, the XTERRA World Championship in Snowdonia has been the motivation to keep recovering and training. It’s been the main driver to get me out on the trails despite my busy shift work in the southern hemisphere's winter weather!”
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Getting a much-needed escape from the doldrums of winter weather in New Zealand is another benefit to racing in Wales. David has never been to Snowdonia and is excited to see what the course in Eryri National Park has to offer.
“I love to experience new places, and trail running is one of the best ways to do this,” he says. “Whether it’s finding new local routes, traveling to events, or organizing long run trips, trail running is a great vehicle.”
“I love to experience new places, and trail running is one of the best ways to do this."
As David continues his rehabilitation and training in preparation for the Trail Run World Championship, he’s mindful that it’s a blessing to be able to run, let alone compete. Whether you finish on the podium or at the back of the pack, there’s a place for everyone in trail running.
“The running community always feels inclusive, and events like this really get the best out of everyone, whether you’re racing for the win, at the back of the pack, or supporting,” he says. “I'm looking forward to soaking it all in at Snowdonia.”
37-year-old Cat Conroy hails from Wirral, near Liverpool, England. Despite being in her mid-30s, she has an extensive injury history that almost stopped her from running completely.
Cat joined a local running club when she was just 12 years old. While she loved the sport, other interests took over once she reached high school. But at the age of 18, she rediscovered a newfound passion for running. She competed in 10Ks, half marathons, and even local triathlons.
It wasn’t until her twenties that she discovered trail running. She fell in love with the adventure of running off-road—exploring, getting lost, and finding yourself in the process.
“I love the escape that trail running gives you, the challenge of the terrain, and the beauty of what you find,” she says. “It’s about being in nature and really seeing what my body is capable of.”
Runners know what it means to feel pain—legs burning, lungs heaving as you summit a climb, or giving everything you have left on the final stretch toward the finish line. That’s the good kind of pain. The bad kind can stop you in your tracks and threaten to take away what you love most.
Cat’s journey to qualifying for the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship hasn’t been without hardship. She’s undergone multiple surgeries and countless physiotherapy visits.
“What stopped me from running was a severe disc herniation in 2010, which I had surgery for,” she says. “Then, I needed the same surgery again in 2014. Running came to a halt for me for some time.”
When Cat finally got back to running after her second surgery, she started having knee pain and struggled to determine the cause. She decided it was time to wave the white flag and call it quits on running.
But in 2024, she decided enough was enough. She needed to find a way to get back in her running shoes and on the trails she loved.
“I had quite a few physio sessions and tried to get to the bottom of the issue,” she says. “I’ve been building back since then.”
Her first half marathon back was the XTERRA Snowdonia Trail Half Marathon Eryri in 2024. To her surprise, she qualified for the Trail Run World Championship, which means she will return to Yr Wyddfa this July for a second crack at the mountain.
“It just shows what you can do with some patience, hard work, consistency, and grit!” she says.
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While she’s a bit hesitant after her return from injury, Cat is looking forward to the challenge that Snowdonia brings.
“I’m familiar with the route, as I did the half marathon last year, so being able to prepare a little better has been great. I know it's a well-organized event, and I’m looking forwards to the buzz of it being a World Championship race! Hoping my body holds out…”
While her return to running has been a blessing for Cat, she has another reason to make sure she stays healthy, injury-free, and ready to tackle the trails—her 6-year-old son, Max.
“He’s just the best!” she says. “I hope I can inspire him and show him that anything is possible when you work hard. I hope one day we can run together. He always asks me if he can join in. Maybe one day we will come and run XTERRA together!”
Why We Run is a series profiling runners on the journey to the 2025 XTERRA Trail Run World Championship in Wales. Read Volume 1 to meet two more athletes who shared what drives them to the trails. Stay tuned for the next installment to discover more about the runners who are headed to Eryri National Park and Yr Wyddfa this July.
XTERRA is a global lifestyle brand that champions the outdoor enthusiast in their pursuit of relentless adventure.
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