Category Archives: Uncategorized

Several of the world’s most famous trail-running events take place in Chamonix, France. At each race, an army of volunteers ensures everything runs smoothly, and hundreds if not thousands of supporters cheer on competitors. But one supporter stands out from the rest: Robert Etellin. Etellin has been involved in the Chamonix trail running scene for   Continue Reading →

Last summer Michelle Kho booked her first trail-running vacation, a self-guided Run the Alps trip from Courmayeur, Italy, through Champex, Switzerland, finishing in Chamonix, France – roughly following the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc CCC race route. Over five days, Michelle covered 94km and 4870m of vertical gain. She also learned a lot along the way! Here’s   Continue Reading →

“The beauty is unparalleled, the trails are dreamy, and the peaks are inspiring, but what never leaves you is the spirit of the people.” That’s US ultra runner David Laney, who finished third in the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc in 2015, sharing his thoughts about what makes trail racing in the Alps so special. (You can   Continue Reading →

We’re pleased to share this story from Run the Alps Ambassador David Laney. David was Ultrarunner magazine’s 2015 Ultrarunner of the year, and has finished third place (2015) and fourth place (2016) in the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc. This short piece is the foreword to a new Run the Alps publication, the Guide to Trail Racing in the   Continue Reading →

Some of our best stories come from guests on our trips. Here’s one from Chase Willie, who joined Run the Alps with his family on our Eiger Ultra trip. We enjoyed Chase’s story, and wanted to share it with you. — Editor. I had never been on a train before. Well, that’s not entirely true.   Continue Reading →

Editor’s Note: Starting in 2019, Run the Alps will be offering a trail running trip in the Italian Dolomites. With smooth, flowy single-track, high huts, and great meals along the way, it’s one of our favorite new areas. We look forward to sharing it with you. (Interested in hearing more? Email us and we’ll drop   Continue Reading →

Salut! Run the Alps is going on tour! Run the Alps is in the U.S., and we just might be coming to a town near you. Here’s the schedule! Bay Area, California Location: Tamalpie, 477 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley CA Date: Saturday, November 24, 5:30 pm (After the Quad Dipsea, of course!) What’s Happening: Join   Continue Reading →

It’s early morning in Chamonix, France, as I write this sentence. Outside, the streets are deserted. People like to say that Chamonix never stops, but when you live here, as I do now, you realize it stops twice a year, late fall and again in late spring. But especially now, when the nights are getting   Continue Reading →

For all intents and purposes, trail running season is fading away in Chamonix, as it is for much of the Alps. It starts in early summer with the Mont Blanc Marathon races, and slowly builds toward UTMB’s many events at the close of August. Then, as the first snows appear on the peaks above town,   Continue Reading →

Recently, US trail runner David Laney and I had a chance to visit with the organizing committee of Trail Verbier St-Bernard. “TVSB,” as it’s known, is one of the great trail races in the Alps. In fact, it’s not just one race but four, high in the beautiful Valais canton, often meandering along or near Switzerland’s   Continue Reading →