<div class="wp-block-image size-large wp-image-2875">
<figure class="aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="820" src="http://runthealpsstg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/IMG_4119-1024x820.jpg" alt="Still running strong: Sierre-Zinal's founder Jean-Claude Pont. (Photo by Ticia Blanck.)" class="wp-image-2875" srcset="https://runthealpsstg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/IMG_4119-1024x820.jpg 1024w, https://runthealpsstg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/IMG_4119-300x240.jpg 300w, https://runthealpsstg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/IMG_4119-768x615.jpg 768w, https://runthealpsstg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/IMG_4119-150x120.jpg 150w, https://runthealpsstg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/IMG_4119-225x180.jpg 225w, https://runthealpsstg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/IMG_4119-335x268.jpg 335w, https://runthealpsstg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/IMG_4119.jpg 1954w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Still running strong: Sierre-Zinal&#8217;s founder Jean-Claude Pont. (Photo by Ticia Blanck.)</figcaption></figure></div>


On the eve of the 43rd annual race, Run the Alps’ Doug Mayer visited with <a href="http://runthealpsstg.wpengine.com/why-sierre-zinal-is-the-best-trail-race-in-the-world/">Sierre-Zinal</a> founder and Race Director for 40 years, Jean-Claude Pont. At age 75, he’ll be toeing the start line tomorrow morning at 5:00 am.



“Last year, I had a little accident and fell, but finished around 6:40. This year, I’m thinking 7 hours or 7:30. I’m going to run with my daughter. She’s 44. Did her first Sierre-Zinal when she was 7 years old, on August 8, 1976. Even though I’m not Race Director, Sierre-Zinal is not so different for me these days. I have friends in the organization who are great people and with whom I’m still very close. My son will also do the recreational edition of the race. He has two little sons who are doing the [junior version of Sierre-Zinal] from Chandolin to Zinal. My son is responsible for one of the aid stations, too. The whole family is involved!”



Oh, and by the way: today is Jean-Claude&#8217;s 75th birthday. (Hat tip to <a href="http://runthealpsstg.wpengine.com/pablo-the-man-behind-a-remarkable-sierre-zinal-record/">Pablo Vigil </a>for the reminder.) Happy birthday! JCP, along with thousands of others, we wish you a bon course!

At 75, Sierre-Zinal’s Jean-Claude Pont is Still Running Strong

We love Janji. We share the same desire to leave the world a better place than we found it - holding ourselves accountable to deliver high quality products that do good for people and the planet. So after Janji President Mike Burnstein came on a Run the Alps trip, the conversation flowed naturally. The result? This collab! Here in the Alps, there’s often a cool breeze. It blows off the rivers that flow along the valley floors or from the snowfields and glaciers up high. That’s where a lightweight, long sleeve layer is useful. It’s the kind of piece that stays in our running vests all season, because you just never know when it’ll make the difference between a quick chill and pure coziness. Features: Ultra fast-drying with excellent moisture dispersal for sweat-wicking performance Designed to resist cling even when soaked with sweat HeiQ® Fresh odor control treatment Raglan sleeve design combined with flatlock seaming and minimal neckline give you unhindered movement with zero chafing UPF 25 sun protection Run the Alps logo and icons on left arm Janji reflective logo on left chest and arm + “watermark” on back increase visibility in low light 100% recycled polyester, made in Vietnam Models: Sheridan Stride: Manages the RTA Chamonix Shop, she works for a transfer company, and is also a pet portrait artist. She live in Chamonix and runs around. Sheridan is 5'1 (155cm) and wears a size XS. Mike Murray: Guide at Run the Alps. He's also a navigation tutor and first aid teacher. Mike is 5’11 (180cm), and wears size M. Photos: Olly Bowman

We love <a rel="noopener" href="https://janji.com/pages/our-responsibility" target="_blank">Janji</a>. We share the same desire to leave the world a better place than we found it - holding ourselves accountable to deliver high quality products that do good for people and the planet. So after Janji President Mike Burnstein came on a Run the Alps trip, the conversation flowed naturally. The result? This collab!
Here in the Alps, there’s often a cool breeze. It blows off the rivers that flow along the valley floors or from the snowfields and glaciers up high. That’s where a lightweight, long sleeve layer is useful. It’s the kind of piece that stays in our running vests all season, because you just never know when it’ll make the difference between a quick chill and pure coziness.
Features:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Ultra fast-drying with excellent moisture dispersal for sweat-wicking performance
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Designed to resist cling even when soaked with sweat
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
HeiQ® Fresh odor control treatment 
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Raglan sleeve design combined with flatlock seaming and minimal neckline give you unhindered movement with zero chafing 
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
UPF 25 sun protection
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Run the Alps logo and icons on left arm
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Janji reflective logo on left chest and arm + “watermark” on back increase visibility in low light
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
100% recycled polyester, made in Vietnam
</li>
</ul>
Models:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Sheridan Stride: Manages the RTA Chamonix Shop, she works for a transfer company, and is also a pet portrait artist. She live in Chamonix and runs around. Sheridan is 5'1 (155cm) and wears a size XS.
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Mike Murray: Guide at Run the Alps. He's also a navigation tutor and first aid teacher. Mike is 5’11 (180cm), and wears size M.
</li>
</ul>
Photos: Olly Bowman