Columbia Winter Trail Series
First Run
Sunday, December 13, 2026Start Time
7:00 amTraining Runs
Sunday TuesdayStart Time
7:00 am 6:00 pmShare With Friends
Coach: Ryan Williams
Ryan lives in Columbia, Maryland with his wife, adventurous three-year-old daughter, and energetic Wheaten Terrier who’s always up for a run. He grew up in Carroll County surrounded by hundreds of acres of woods, and as a kid, spent countless hours exploring every trail, stream, and hidden corner he could find. That early love for the outdoors sparked a lifelong connection to nature and running, where running has become both a place for adventure and a space to
grow as a person. Running has been a constant throughout his adult life—a space where challenge, self-discovery, and calm coexist. There’s nothing quite like a crisp 5 a.m. run through fresh snow or a gnarly singletrack shared with good company. These moments remind him that running is a journey, not just a goal. It’s this mindset he brings to coaching: helping athletes build a lifelong love of the sport while becoming stronger, more resilient humans along the way.
Ryan has competed in everything from 5ks to 24-hour races. He is excited to share the magic of the trails with anyone looking to have some human-powered adventure in nature. You can usually find him running trail loops in Wincopin or long out-and-backs in Patapsco while eating a quesadilla and dangerously bombing some technical downhills.
Coach: Brian Quillin
Brian is a horizon chaser who incorporates over a decade of outdoor experience into his coaching. His athletic background includes racing ultras, long-distance cycling, triathlon, strength training, and multiday backcountry adventures—not because he was chasing podiums, but because movement is freedom. Through those experiences, he has developed a durability-first mindset, both mentally and physically. His goal is to build athletes who can show up strong to the finish line, year after year—and who genuinely enjoy the journey that gets them there.
Brian believes the best training plan is one you actually want to do. He coaches athletes toward sustainable performance through durability, curiosity, and a deep respect for what the body can accomplish—building the fitness, strength, and confidence to meet ambitious goals without losing sight of why we run in the first place.
As a Maryland native, he has spent years wandering the Piedmont and Appalachians, developing a deep appreciation for their unique character. He loves weaving natural and human history into his adventures, telling the story of how the landscape around us came to be.
He lives in Highland with his wife, adventurous five-year-old daughter, and three cats who decidedly do not enjoy endurance sport.
Sponsored by Altra
Description
Charm City Run Columbia is back with the ever popular Columbia Winter Trail Series. Spend the winter in nature with your trail friends led by our expert coaches, Ryan and Brian. This series will explore some of the amazing spots that Howard County has to offer. Participants can guided routes, trail education and a lot of fun. Come spend some time with us, gliding through some beautiful, wooded trails this winter.
Trainees can participate in the entire series or drop-in week to week. Please register by Sunday for the Tuesday runs and by Thursday for the Sunday runs.
Winter Series Dates (2026/ 2027)
December 13, 15, 20, 22, 29, 2026
January 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26, 31, 2027
February 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28
March 2, 7, 2027
Requirements
Trails always have some degree of challenge as you’re navigating roots, rocks, streams, and hills. However, you will be supported by a coach and expert guide along the way. This will be a “no-drop” experience meaning that the focus is on experiencing the trails together and growing and learning as a group instead of focusing on performance. Each run will have a route for about 4-6 miles, or about an hour of running. Runners will be required to carry at least 15oz of fluids and trail shoes are strongly recommended.
What To Expect
- 2X WEEKLY RUNS
-
POSITIVE AND WELCOMING ATMOSPHERE FOR RUNNERS OF ALL LEVELS
-
ACCESS TO EXPERT COACHING SERVICES AND ADVICE
-
10% STORE DISCOUNT AT CHARM CITY RUN
- 15% OFF CHARM CITY RUN SIGNATURE RACES
-
NUTRITION, GEAR AND INJURY PREVENTION EDUCATION
- ALTRA PREMIUM (AS SUPPLIES LAST)
Questions
Do you have a question about our training programs? Send an email to our Training Director, Natalie Ferguson, at natalie@charmcityrun.com and we will get back to you with more information.
Columbia Winter Trail Series
First Run
Sunday, December 13, 2026Start Time
7:00 amTraining Runs
Sunday TuesdayStart Time
7:00 am 6:00 pm
Sponsored by Altra
Description
Charm City Run Columbia is back with the ever popular Columbia Winter Trail Series. Spend the winter in nature with your trail friends led by our expert coaches, Ryan and Brian. This series will explore some of the amazing spots that Howard County has to offer. Participants can guided routes, trail education and a lot of fun. Come spend some time with us, gliding through some beautiful, wooded trails this winter.
Trainees can participate in the entire series or drop-in week to week. Please register by Sunday for the Tuesday runs and by Thursday for the Sunday runs.
Winter Series Dates (2026/ 2027)
December 13, 15, 20, 22, 29, 2026
January 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26, 31, 2027
February 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28
March 2, 7, 2027
Requirements
Trails always have some degree of challenge as you’re navigating roots, rocks, streams, and hills. However, you will be supported by a coach and expert guide along the way. This will be a “no-drop” experience meaning that the focus is on experiencing the trails together and growing and learning as a group instead of focusing on performance. Each run will have a route for about 4-6 miles, or about an hour of running. Runners will be required to carry at least 15oz of fluids and trail shoes are strongly recommended.
What To Expect
- 2X WEEKLY RUNS
-
POSITIVE AND WELCOMING ATMOSPHERE FOR RUNNERS OF ALL LEVELS
-
ACCESS TO EXPERT COACHING SERVICES AND ADVICE
-
10% STORE DISCOUNT AT CHARM CITY RUN
- 15% OFF CHARM CITY RUN SIGNATURE RACES
-
NUTRITION, GEAR AND INJURY PREVENTION EDUCATION
- ALTRA PREMIUM (AS SUPPLIES LAST)
Questions
Do you have a question about our training programs? Send an email to our Training Director, Natalie Ferguson, at natalie@charmcityrun.com and we will get back to you with more information.
Share With Friends
Coach: Ryan Williams
Ryan lives in Columbia, Maryland with his wife, adventurous three-year-old daughter, and energetic Wheaten Terrier who’s always up for a run. He grew up in Carroll County surrounded by hundreds of acres of woods, and as a kid, spent countless hours exploring every trail, stream, and hidden corner he could find. That early love for the outdoors sparked a lifelong connection to nature and running, where running has become both a place for adventure and a space to
grow as a person. Running has been a constant throughout his adult life—a space where challenge, self-discovery, and calm coexist. There’s nothing quite like a crisp 5 a.m. run through fresh snow or a gnarly singletrack shared with good company. These moments remind him that running is a journey, not just a goal. It’s this mindset he brings to coaching: helping athletes build a lifelong love of the sport while becoming stronger, more resilient humans along the way.
Ryan has competed in everything from 5ks to 24-hour races. He is excited to share the magic of the trails with anyone looking to have some human-powered adventure in nature. You can usually find him running trail loops in Wincopin or long out-and-backs in Patapsco while eating a quesadilla and dangerously bombing some technical downhills.
Coach: Brian Quillin
Brian is a horizon chaser who incorporates over a decade of outdoor experience into his coaching. His athletic background includes racing ultras, long-distance cycling, triathlon, strength training, and multiday backcountry adventures—not because he was chasing podiums, but because movement is freedom. Through those experiences, he has developed a durability-first mindset, both mentally and physically. His goal is to build athletes who can show up strong to the finish line, year after year—and who genuinely enjoy the journey that gets them there.
Brian believes the best training plan is one you actually want to do. He coaches athletes toward sustainable performance through durability, curiosity, and a deep respect for what the body can accomplish—building the fitness, strength, and confidence to meet ambitious goals without losing sight of why we run in the first place.
As a Maryland native, he has spent years wandering the Piedmont and Appalachians, developing a deep appreciation for their unique character. He loves weaving natural and human history into his adventures, telling the story of how the landscape around us came to be.
He lives in Highland with his wife, adventurous five-year-old daughter, and three cats who decidedly do not enjoy endurance sport.
