La Sportiva North America, makers of the world’s finest mountain products, announces that Ryan Woods has joined its Mountain Running Team. Woods is one of the top competitive trail runners in the country and this season he will be looking for even more podium finishes wearing the new La Sportiva Vertical K, a 6.9-ounce featherweight trail shoe.

“I’m proud to join the elite team of runners on the La Sportiva team,” says Woods. “I’ve been wearing the Vertical K’s for a while now and I’m amazed how much traction and protection they offer despite being so lightweight. They’ve been my not-so-secret weapon this season.”

Woods sits atop the standings after five races of the 2012 La Sportiva Mountain Cup. He has been a regular atop the podium and won the recent running of the Hells Hills 25K in Smithville, Texas. By setting a course record with a time of 1:35:22, Woods solidified his lead in the standings with five races remaining. A full race report and update on the series to date can be found at http://www.irunfar.com/2012/04/woods-and-bryant-victorious-at-hells-hills-25k.html.

For Woods, competition and a love of travel keep him motivated. As a teenager, he didn’t enjoy running and never dreamed of competing into his thirties. But a deal with his parents for a new pair of skis convinced him to go out for his high school track and cross-country teams and he later earned All-American honors at North Carolina State. By turning his focus to trail running after college, competitions became an off-road adventure as well as an opportunity to travel. Woods enjoys visiting unique places and has set a goal to compete in a race in all 50 states. So far, he has 34 states checked off his list and is anxious to continue traveling to rack up victories.

The La Sportiva Vertical K features La Sportiva’s Morphodynamic sole technology with a sticky rubber outsole to reduce weight and promote natural flex. It is available at retail stores now and more information is available at http://www.sportiva.com/products/footwear/mountain-running/vertical-k.