Women’s Trail Camp with Meg Mackenzie
Dates | Duration |
---|---|
No upcoming dates | TBD |
Run the Alps is pleased to offer a special trail running camp just for women, hosted by Run the Alps friend and ambassador, Meg Mackenzie.
Each day of Meg’s camp will feature a new trail run, as we explore the hundreds of kilometers of trails in Chamonix, France and Courmayeur, Italy. After a morning run and a break for lunch at a high mountain refuge or in town, we’ll gather later in the day to discuss the current challenges that women may face in mountain activities and how society’s expectations may be holding us back. We’ll then consider how to navigate these challenges with both confidence and courage.
For those of you who don’t know Meg, she is one of our most energetic, upbeat and fun friends here in Chamonix. Meg has raced competitively around the world, and has had top finishes in races from Chamonix’s Mont Blanc Marathon to South Africa’s Ultra Trail Cape Town. And while Meg excels at trail running, it’s just one part of her life. She’s also a trail running coach, certified master life coach, and working on a documentary featuring the role of destigmatizing menstrual cycles in sport and life. In 2021, Meg moved fulltime to Chamonix, where she continues to represent her home country of South Africa. You can read more about Meg here.
Meg’s style is inclusive, warm and supportive. Says Meg, “My goal is to get more women involved in trail running and help those already in it to gain more self-confidence on the trails. Too many women think they are somehow inadequate or not strong enough for mountain activities.”
Meg will be joined by notable women athletes from the Chamonix valley and elsewhere in the Alps. Coming from different sports like free skiing and climbing, the unifying theme will be courage, overcoming obstacles and building self-confidence– all, no matter the level at which you run. While the confirmed list will not be announced until early summer 2024, possible guests include Stephanie Case, pro skier Hadley Hammer, internationally-acclaimed trail runner Fernanda Maciel and snowboarder Marion Hearty.
Joining us as a partner on this trip is the unique all-women’s company, Paradis Sport, makers of underwear for women athletes. “We believe that female athletes and active women should be outfitted to perform their best,” says Paradis Founder, Sarah Weihman. Each guest on the trip will receive gear compliments of Paradis Sport.
This camp is open to those building their trail running experience, as well as more seasoned runners. Participants need only arrive with enthusiasm for trail running and basic trail running fitness and skills. If you have questions, you can email Meg via Run the Alps.
So, what’s it going to be like? Here are two reviews from last year’s camp:
The group was fantastic. Meg and the running guides did so well in ensuring we all had our pace and felt challenged but not overwhelmed. The routes were really well thought out and showcased such a variety. The restaurants were fantastic and the added guests triggered great conversation and discussion about women in sport. Amazing experience all round!
As a relatively new trail runner, there were plenty of opportunities for me to learn. It was absolute magic being able to do it in the beauty of the mountains and surrounded by the communal kindness, strength, and joy of all the inspiring women I got to share the time with. I really admire and resonate with Meg’s message of empowering women in mountain sports and beyond. She is also the loveliest person. I came away feeling more confident in what I can do, and I hope more can get to experience this as well!
Book this tour
$850 single supplement
Itinerary
The impressive breakfast buffet at Hotel Bouton d’Or in Courmayeur (courtesy photo)
Day 1
You’ll arrive in Courmayeur, Italy and settle into your hotel. You’ll meet with the rest of your group, Meg and your guides before heading out for a delicious Italian dinner.
And always fun downs. (Photo: Sam Hill)
Day 2
A day exploring the world of trail running above the Italian Val Ferret. We’ll run a high balcony section of the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc course, back to Courmayeur,
Looking over some great group shots. (Photo: Aleksandra Janiak)
Day 3
Today we’ll travel back through the 11.7 km long Mont Blanc tunnel, to Chamonix, France. We’ll take the train up the Chamonix valley and explore the strikingly beautiful Posettes mountain above Le Tour, just a stone’s throw from the Swiss border.
Dinner tonight will be on your own, giving you the chance to explore Chamonix at your pace. Recommendations provided.
Plenty of pie at Refuge du Plan de l’Aiguille. (Photo: Meg Mackenzie)
Day 4
We’ll hike up to the Montenvers hotel at the side of the famous Mer de Glace glacier. From there, we’ll run the alpine “Balcon Nord” to Refuge Plan de l’Aiguille, perched high above Chamonix.
This evening, Mimmi Kotka – sports nutritionist, elite trail runner, and co-founder of MoonValley – will talk to us about nutrition.
There are plenty of other options, but Chamonix’s Vertical; Kilometer is still pretty cool! (Photo: Doug Mayer)
Day 5
We’ll climb out of Chamonix on the dramatic and inspiring Kilometre Vertical. In the afternoon, we’ll treat ourselves with a trip to QC Therme, the deluxe spa in Chamonix.
Leaving the trails above Chamonix. (Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 6
Today we say Au Revoir to the other Run the Alps guests as we catch our shared shuttles to the Geneva Airport or continue our travels elsewhere.
Regional map
What's included
Two nights at the three-star Hotel Bouton d'Or in Courmayeur, Italy, and three nights at the four-star Hotel Lykke in Chamonix, France. All breakfasts, light lunches, trail nutrition, and four dinners, guided runs daily with an International Mountain Leaders and On Running athlete Meg Mackenzie, Geneva-Courmayeur and Chamonix-Geneva transfers, all transfers to and from trailheads, special guests during group dinners, license-free photography. Run the Alps Guide to Trail Running in the Alps sent prior to the trip. Spa afternoon at QC Terme in Chamonix. Special gift provided at close of trip.Please arrive at the Geneva Airport no later than 1:30pm the day your tour starts. Note that flights from the US usually arrive on the following day, so schedule accordingly. You will be taking a private group shuttle to Courmayeur, about two hours away. We will book 1 shuttle for the whole group from the airport. If you decide to arrive a day early and go to Chamonix beforehand, we will also schedule 1 group taxi to take you to Courmayeur on June 10th. Anyone who arrives on an alternate time/date/location is responsible for their own transportation to Courmayeur. We do our best to accommodate everyone’s flights so please keep us updated. If you have any questions, please ask.
Plan your departure for the day the tour ends at the earliest. The Geneva airport is about one and a half hours from Chamonix by shuttle, so it’s possible to leave the day the tour ends as long as your flight is not too early. Our shuttle partner can get you to a flight departing before 10am, but a private shuttle is required at an additional cost of $240. If you want to enjoy Chamonix for a day or two after the trip ends, the shuttle is still included. Contact us for details. Please discuss options with us if you’re unsure about your departure plans.
Follow Meg on Instagram!
Terms and Conditions: Please read Run the Alps’ Terms and Conditions, and travel insurance.
Concerned about being ready? We can help! We’ve teamed up with the wonderfully supportive team at Vert.run to offer customized training plans tailored to each Run the Alps trip. Once you’ve signed up for a trip, we’ll email you all the details and your unique code for your FREE first month of training! In the meantime, you can start exploring the plans here.
Tour Balance: Your tour balance is due 90 days before your tour starts. We will send you an invoice about a month before that due date. However, you can pay your balance at any time. If you’d like the simplicity of paying in full sooner, or would like to pay in installments, please contact us.
Tour stories
Loading...
Book this tour
$850 single supplement