Category: Friends

AKA, how to put 3,333 meters of “D+” in 16 km of “running.”  The 2017 ultra trail running season has started! With so many fantastic events around me here in Switzerland’s Vaud region, not far from the Valais Alps on the border with France and Italy, it’s hard to ignore them and stay focused on my … Continued

In less than a decade, Trail Verbier St-Bernard has become known as a true trail runner’s race. It makes sense, since it was both inspired and designed by trail runners. And, “TVSB,” as it’s known, passes through one of the most beautiful regions in all of the Alps—the Valais Alps, on the Swiss border with … Continued

In the Alps, trail running is booming. And nowhere is that truer than the Jungfrau region of the Swiss Alps. It makes sense, because for trail runners, this is a Nirvana of sorts, with flowy single tracks, glacier covered peaks, and even the occasional cow ready to lick the sweat off your arms! The centerpiece … Continued

Trail racing… with your dog? In the Alps, it’s called Canicross, and it’s gaining popularity around Europe and, more recently, in the United States as well. This past fall, Run the Alps friend Natalie White, a British and English fell running champion, competed in a Canicross event in Lyon, France. That was followed by another event in the … Continued

Here’s a fact about the trail running scene in the Alps: Everyone knows JeePee. Which makes sense, because you won’t meet a more enthusiastic, friendly or energetic trail runner, anywhere. JeePee Lüthi, 51, from the pre-Alp village of Leysin, Switzerland, is a force of nature. He’s been trail running for close to three decades. And not … Continued

A beautiful photograph from one of our Run the Alps participants, Douglas Rhodes, on the Mont Blanc tour last summer caught the eye of an award-winning artist (disclosure: and my uncle!). I interviewed Michael Bignell, also a retired-architect, about his painting of the iconic Refuge des Mottets interior. Alister: What is your approach to your … Continued

Joe Gray is one of the strongest mountain runners in the world today. He’s been named US Mountain Runner of the Year no fewer than seven times. Last fall, he won the 12.7-km World Championships race in Bulgaria, leading the US team to their first gold medal win, ever. He didn’t squeak out the victory, either. … Continued

We asked Natalie's partner, Robbie, to interview Natalie about running Tor des Géants. The laugh-out-loud results are below.

Editor’s note: This season, we welcomed Simon Conroy to our crew of trail running guides. Simon’s tremendous depth and breadth of experience has been a great asset. And, his irreverent sense of humor and pleasure in all things alpine has been a joy to be around. Thanks, Simon, for a great season! Well… Having just … Continued

The 2016 Alps trail running season is well underway! One of the race highlights each year is the legendary Sierre-Zinal, which will take place this year on Sunday, August 14. Run the Alps had the chance to catch up with Vincent Theytaz, in his second year as Race Director. With his inaugural year behind him, … Continued