Why Run the Alps?
Here at Run the Alps, we envision a trail running community where joy and connection fuel our time on the trails, where everyone feels welcome, and stories of personal growth and shared adventure ripple beyond the peaks and valleys.
Our Values
We’re committed to bringing to life our five core values in everything we do:
Inclusivity
We believe everyone should feel welcome in the trail running community. We celebrate diversity, build partnerships and aim to foster community spirit through shared experiences.
Challenge
We believe getting out of your comfort zone is a good thing. We seek to challenge our guests and ourselves, expanding personal boundaries and helping develop new perspectives.
Camaraderie
We believe in the power of mutual support. There’s nothing better than cheering each other up a hill and sharing a piece of blueberry tart at the top.
Net Positive
We believe we have a responsibility to leave the world a better place than we found it. We act responsibly to have a net positive impact on the lives we touch and the physical environments and communities in which we operate. Learn more here.
Fun
We believe we could all do with a little more fun in our lives. We strive to keep things lighthearted, infusing the trail running community with laughter and joy.
Over the years, our guests have shared what they believe sets us apart:
Quality You Can Count On
Run the Alps is committed to delivering a high-quality experience every step of the way. We work with trusted, long-standing partners to provide at least 3-star accommodations in every town we visit, and we know the best mountain huts for an authentic Alpine experience.
Our guest-to-guide ratio is as good, or better than, any other tour provider we know. It’s usually a maximum of 7:1. Plus – each participant receives tailored materials, including our exclusive Guide to Trail Running in the Alps.
Personal Attention & Responsive Staff
From the moment you first get in contact, you’ll speak with trail running experts who know the Alps inside out.
Our team is available year-round to answer questions, provide advice, and help with logistics. During the trail running season, we also maintain a 24/7 helpline for on-the-ground support in the Alps, ensuring you’re always connected if you need assistance.
Expert Planning
Run the Alps focuses exclusively on trail running in the Alps. Our team has lived, raced, and run here for years, and we know the region inside out.
All our guides are experienced trail runners—not hiking guides who happen to be guiding a running trip. Some are elite athletes ranked by the International Trail Running Association (I-TRA), while others have been running or racing in the Alps for over 20 years. Every one of them has an inclusive, welcoming style and is passionate about sharing their knowledge and love of trail running.
Our Founder Doug Mayer has spent over two decades traveling between the Alps and the U.S. before settling full-time in Chamonix, France. He’s a frequent writer for trail running media, an author of several Alps trail running books, and is always ready to share his thoughts on what makes trail running in the Alps both unique and wonderful.
Trip Options for Every Runner
Guests often tell us they love the range of trips we offer. We have trail running tours across Italy, France and Switzerland, with options for every level of runner. You can choose to go guided, self-guided or privately guided – and in every case we’ll take care of all the route planning and logistics for you.
We also offer trips that include the option to take part in one of the many Alp trail races. We reserve bibs through long-standing race partnerships, and support runners with preparation and guidance.
How does Run the Alps compare to other trail running companies that offer trips in the Alps?
1 Companies in yellow do not have different trip levels, but do specify minimum trip requirements for several of their trips.
2 Usually excluding one dinner, where guests have a chance to explore the local area.
3 3 or 4 star hotels, with a maximum of one night in small shared dorm if required.
We encourage you to read our guests reviews and get in touch to learn more. We work hard to make our trips special experiences, in hopes that you’ll be creating memorable lifetime moments!
Ibex, chamois, mouflon & deer in the Alps: What just ran by?
Here are a few ways to spot the differences between ibex, chamois, mouflon, and deer in the Alps.
Tour du Mont-Blanc Trail Running
The Tour du Mont-Blanc (TMB) is our most popular guided and self-guided tour. We offer multiple tour options each trail season.
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