Alpinirun

The Alpinirun offers two mountain running routes out of Salvan, Switzerland, high above Martigny. Salvan is the Valais canton, the French-speaking Swiss region known for its Raclette cheese, at around 900m elevation. It’s roughly 20 minutes by car or train from Martigny and about an hour from Geneva’s international airport via the A9 motorway. The valley is also served by the Mont-Blanc Express, a narrow-gauge train running between Martigny and Chamonix, France, making car-free travel to the event straightforward.

The longer course covers 13.3km with 1,210m of elevation gain and 864m of descent. The shorter option is 7.4km with 659m of gain and 314m of descent. Both routes mix forest trails and open alpine terrain above the valley floor, with a descent back to the start at Salvan.

Categories on the grand parcours span juniors through masters. The short course includes a family option open to groups of two to six, with at least one adult and one child under twelve. There is also a team option. The entry fee covers an on-course aid station, bag transport, and a post-race meal at the Planajeur covered outdoor venue in Salvan.

The Alpinirun takes place alongside the Balade Gourmande, or gourmet walk, a parallel event through the valley on the same day which gives non-running companions a good reason to make the trip, as well. Alpinirun is organized by the Course Club Salvan.