Run Fast. Eat Slow. with Elyse Kopecky in Chamonix 

Run the Alps is excited to offer an Alps trail running retreat with three-time New York Times Bestselling author Elyse Kopecky. Her books “Run Fast. Eat Slow,” “Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow,” and “Rise & Run” have transformed how we think about the intersection of food and sports. 

Join Elyse and other like-minded women for a trail running and culinary adventure in the heart of the Alps. You’ll make wonderful friends and memories on this retreat, taking in the trails of Chamonix, France.

Elyse is well-known and much adored for her bestselling cookbooks on improving running performance and long-term health and happiness. We’ll explore the best trails of the region while eating well and taking in classic alps culture. We’ll be running 11-19 km (7-12 miles) and climbing 915-1500m (3,000-5,000ft) each day on this tour, often on technical rocky trails. We’ll have multiple guides, which gives you the option to shorten or lengthen the run most days. Elyse will give a talk on nutrition and take us through run warm-up and stretching sessions. Chef-catered meals will feature local specialties and Run Fast. Eat Slow. favorites including Superhero Muffins at breakfast to fuel your day.

She will be joined by Run the Alps trail running guides who are some of the best and most knowledgeable in the region. We’ll even have a special evening visit with Chamonix local and Black Diamond professional athlete Hillary Gerardi, one of the world’s top runners on highly technical, Skyrunning terrain.  

Chamonix is the world capital of trail running with a wide range of beautiful trails. Dramatic mountain gondolas provide options for when we want to take it easier on a climb or descent. We’ll stay in tranquil deluxe chalets in Chamonix, where nourishing meals will be cooked by a guest chef. We’ll also head out to sample the local cuisine and atmosphere, as well as enjoy a wine-tasting session. 

As part of the adventure, we’ll climb into the mountains to have lunch at 2200m (7,200ft) at a mountain refuge right on the French-Swiss border.

Please note: Day-to-day itinerary is subject to change based on weather conditions. All route distances and vertical are approximate.

^{Header photos: Sam Hill}