Author Archives: Heddi Nieuwsma

Once again, the time has arrived for Run the Alps to share its annual preview of the trail racing season in the Alps. Each year, our goal is to highlight new races, changes to ongoing events, and share other news about all things upcoming in the trail running world. As always, you can find our   Continue Reading →

On one of the hottest days of Summer 2016, two of my running buddies here in Switzerland — Francesco Calderone and Marie Louis-Tisserand — ran in the the Trail du Saugeais across the border in Jura Mountains of France. In its second year, this event featured three courses for running: 11 km (+236 meters), 22   Continue Reading →

The 2016 Alps trail running season is well underway! One of the race highlights each year is the legendary Sierre-Zinal, which will take place this year on Sunday, August 14. Run the Alps had the chance to catch up with Vincent Theytaz, in his second year as Race Director. With his inaugural year behind him,   Continue Reading →

When I wrote about the upcoming trail race season for Run the Alps back in January 2016, I came across a number of new events, including Il Cuors da Flem. Located in Flims, within the Swiss canton of Graubünden, the race name means “The Run of Flims” in Romansh, Switzerland’s fourth national language. The photos of   Continue Reading →

We’re passionate about trail running at Run the Alps, and our crew is constantly seeking out new trail races. Several of our staff and guides also volunteer as Race Directors, as well, and they know how helpful some additional income can be. Therefore, as a way to give back to the wider trail running community, Run the   Continue Reading →

At some point during the winter or spring, one’s attention invariably turns towards the upcoming trail running season. For me, it happened recently when I received one of the best trail running guides to the Swiss Alps racing scene, the Swiss Athletics Guide des courses for all the 2016 races. This year promises some new events   Continue Reading →

To determine the 2015 trail running champions in Switzerland, the Swiss Athletics association selected the 75-kilometer course of this year’s Trail de l’Absinthe. When my husband and I decided to do this race (we opted for two of the shorter distances), we didn’t realize we would be sharing the course with Swiss trail running champions!   Continue Reading →

Can you imagine running a half-marathon with aid stations offering wine? Such a race exists here in Switzerland, which I had the pleasure of running last Saturday. If you’re looking for picturesque landscapes, a festive atmosphere and the opportunity to wear a ridiculous costume during a race (a sporty dirndl, perhaps?), then I recommend signing   Continue Reading →

The Eiger, with its world-famous North Face, towers over the Swiss village of Grindelwald. The foreboding rock and ice wall looms large in the storied history of Alp mountaineering. And, now, the name has been bestowed upon one of the great new trail races in Switzerland, the Eiger Ultra. A few weeks ago, the race attracted   Continue Reading →

Last year, I went to Montreux to see Leonard Cohen at the city’s famous jazz festival. This year, I decided to visit this picturesque city again, but this time to race up a huge mountain overlooking what’s commonly referred to as the “Swiss Riviera.” What was I thinking? Intro to Trail Running Since moving to   Continue Reading →