We explore the case of Michelino Sunseri, the 33-year-old trail runner who went from the summits of the Grand Teton to the corridors of the White House.

¿Un acto de justicia o un golpe a la conservación?

The Impossible Climb - The Birth of an Ephemeral Record

Imagine the sunrise in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, on 15 July 2024.

Michelino Sunseri, a trail runner from Colorado with a history of challenges in the Rockies, is taking on the Grand Teton: 4,199 metres in altitude, 21 kilometres out and back, and an elevation gain of more than 2,100 metres. A real challenge.

Sunseri no busca una carrera organizada; aspira al Fastest Known Time (FKT), el santo grial no oficial del ultrarunning, validado por la comunidad a través de GPS y testimonios.

His watch reads 2 hours, 50 minutes and 50 seconds as he crosses the finish line. It is a time that would have shattered the previous record by more than 20 minutes.

The euphoria is palpable: posts on Strava, shares on Instagram, congratulations from forums like Trail Runner Nation.

But during the descent, something happened that twisted his fate. To avoid a group of hikers on a congested switchback (zig-zag descent), Sunseri took a two-minute shortcut on a closed path (barely 200 metres). An instinctive gesture, born out of respect for the safety of others. But what seemed like a minor detail became the trigger for a storm.

The Forbidden Detour - Golden Rules in Holy Lands

US national parks are sanctuaries. The Grand Teton, with its ecosystem of grizzly bears, elk and fragile alpine meadows, is governed by the National Park Service (NPS). The closed trails are not whimsical: they protect against erosion, pollution and wildlife stress. And, a shortcut, however minimal - barely 200 metres in the case of Sunseri - violates the Federal Code of Regulations, a misdemeanour punishable by fines and bans.

Sunseri knows this. And in fact, when he uploads his GPS track, he notes the deviation transparently: ‘I prioritised safety; there are no excuses’.

The trail community, used to ethical dilemmas in races such as the UTMB or the Hardrock 100, initially applauds it.

But the NPS is unforgiving: in August 2024, it launches an investigation. Why? Because in a year with 330 million visits to national parks, every ‘shortcut’ adds up to attrition.

Trial in the Shadows - From Athlete to Defendant

What followed was a legal whirlwind that has transformed an athlete into a symbol.

In September 2024, a federal court convicted him of misdemeanor ‘unauthorized use of trails’. Initially, he faced a $5,000 fine and a lifetime ban from Grand Teton, a punishment that for a trail runner is tantamount to a professional death sentence.

Prosecutors, however, negotiated a deal: if he completed 60 hours of community service and a wilderness management course, the case would be dropped. Meanwhile, FKT overturned his record, arguing that the integrity of the route is paramount in a sport where the ‘clean line’ defines legitimacy.

The Presidential Pardon - Trump and Social Networks Enter the Scene

This is where Trump comes in, whose intervention has been as unexpected as a summer avalanche.

Just this week (10 November 2025), the White House announced a pardon for Sunseri. Sunseri's lawyer, Michael Poon, made no secret of his surprise: ‘Michelino is, of course, pleased, but no one expected a pardon,’ he told The Guardian.

But the truth is that the case exploded on social media long before the pardon.

The hashtag #FreeMichelino went viral in the trail community, with thousands of posts defending the runner as an ‘unsung hero’ who prioritised the safety of others over his personal glory.

Sunseri, a Colorado native known for his challenges in the Rockies, was featured on podcasts such as Trail Runner Nation and Dirtbag Diaries, where he explained: "I made that split-second decision. I didn't want to put anyone at risk, not even myself. Trail running is about respect, not cheating.

His story resonated with runners who have faced similar dilemmas: what weighs more, a record or preserving the environment we love so much?

‘Trail running is about respect, not cheating’.

Tensions at the Summits - The Rise and Conflicts of Modern Trail Running

This is not just an isolated anecdote; it mirrors the tensions in modern trail running. With the rise of the discipline - the International Trail Running Association (ITRA) reports a 20% annual growth in global participants - wilderness parks face unprecedented pressure.

In the US, the National Park Service records more than 330 million visits a year, and inadvertent ‘shortcuts’ contribute to the degradation of fragile ecosystems. Critics of the waiver, such as the Sierra Club, see it as a dangerous precedent. On the other hand, advocates such as the American Trail Running Association celebrate the pardon as a victory for ‘judicial discretion’ in low-impact cases.

This debate not only divides opinions, but forces the community to balance passion for the mountains with environmental responsibility, reminding us that every step on the trail leaves an invisible footprint.

Reflections

This episode invites reflection.

On trails such as the Picos de Europa in Spain, the rules are similar: ‘Leave No Trace is dogma’.

Will we see similar pardons in other countries?

Or will this case push for reforms to differentiate between malicious intent and human error?

Michelino Sunseri, now free to return to the mountains, is planning a new ascent of the Grand Teton ‘with his head held high and his feet on the trail’, according to a post he made this week on Instagram.

This is our weekly trail running news. A big thanks to Alberto, one of our most active followers, for letting us know about this journalistic gem.

What do you think about this case and have you experienced an ethical dilemma in your races? Share in the comments - keep running, keep exploring!

Official links

Artículo original en The Guardian: Trump pardons trail runner convicted after taking shortcut during record run

Fastest Known Time (FKT) del Grand Teton

Comunicado de la Casa Blanca

Hastag #FreeMichelino