Jessica Denney

I grew up in Northern California, where my backyard was just a few miles from a National Recreation Area. These days, I live in the Pacific Northwest with my partner, son, and German Shepherd, Kilo— short for Kilometer. I’m a recreational runner who considers the gift of smooth single track the epitome of good hospitality.

I’m a full-time mom! Prior to that, I was an Optometric Vision Therapist, working in a sensory-oriented office setting where I assisted kids in achieving well-regulated nervous systems. Now, with Run the Alps, I’m grateful to find myself in an outdoors office.

When I had an office job, I was a weekend warrior, tackling as many running events as my state had to offer. Now I run, parent, and teach my 4-year-old—in that order, with mountain biking at the top of the learning-module list. I also grow seasonal, specialty-cut hybrid sunflowers and manage weekly bouquet subscriptions for my community.

My very first trail run was on the Pacific Crest Trail. I was 18, accompanying my mom and her horses through a multi-day section of the “PCT” in Northern California. I remember two feelings from that day: first, a sincere hope that I would not be considered crazy for trying to run the trail and, second, a sense of certainty that I did not want to ride horses on the trail after discovering I could run it instead. 

Also, if there are snakes in an area, I can 100% guarantee that one or two will cross my path.

My favorite run in the Alps begins with a Nutella crepe at one of the family-owned hotels in Courmayeur, Italy, and ends with views of Val Ferret. On this route, runners are rewarded after their initial climb with a rolling single-track along the “sunny side” of Mont Blanc. Glacial water streams, sounds of marmots in the distance, and 360-degree views make for an absolutely breathtaking afternoon. Make sure to opt for a snack, or even a three-course lunch, at Chalet Val Ferret!