Category Archives: Uncategorized

Running the Niesen — Minus the Staircase

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I’ve heard of a lot of downright twisted trail races over the years. There’s Mount Marathon in Seward, Alaska. (Check out this rather intense video of the race.) There’s Fully, Switzerland’s Vertical KM, considered one of the steepest, most direct vertical races the world. Nearby Leukerbad has its quirky thermal sprint. There are plenty of others. And then

Mountain Riders: Raising Environmental Awareness in the Alps

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What should Alp trail runners keep in mind, to lessen their environmental impact when running through pastures and over high cols? We set out to find out, courtesy of the French nonprofit, Mountain Riders. Based in Chambéry, France, the goal of Mountain Riders is to increase awareness and educate the public about the importance of protecting

About that DIRT Cover

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Did you happen to catch the cover of DIRT, Trail Runner magazine’s annual special edition for 2016? It features what is rapidly becoming an iconic Alp trail running route. Photographed by Dan and Janine Patitucci, of Patitucci Photo and ALPSinsight, the image is a perfect choice for DIRT because it encapsulates almost everything so many

Is Chamonix the Trail Running Capital of the World?

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I’m staring at a second hand that’s moving with an implausible smoothness. As the hand sweeps around the dial one last time, the color on the clock face changes from red to orange. Something about the scene feels familiar. I flash back to my childhood, watching alpine ski racers during ABC’s Wide World of Sports with

Introducing ALPSinsight

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This is not your usual business announcement. It’s not about market opportunities or percentage of growth in an industry. It’s about people and their love of a region. In this case, the Swiss Alps. Run the Alps is pleased to announce that we’re partnered with a remarkable new company, ALPSinsight. I think ALPSinsight is going to

A Partnership Opportunity for Trail Races and Running Clubs

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We’re passionate about trail running at Run the Alps, and our crew is constantly seeking out new trail races. Several of our staff and guides also volunteer as Race Directors, as well, and they know how helpful some additional income can be. Therefore, as a way to give back to the wider trail running community, Run the

Enjoying the World and Improving it: Run the Alps Joins 1% for the Planet

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“I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.” — E.B. White This great quote from the author of Charlotte’s Web is taped on the wall above my computer at the Run the Alps’ office in New Hampshire.

The Restless Energy of Marco de Gasperi

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Run the Alps’ Emmie Collinge describes her experiences meeting and running with the impressive Marco de Gasperi, who has developed some exciting new trail races in Valtellina, Italy. Raised on a diet of mountains and fresh air on the outskirts of neighboring Bormio, a town in Northern Italy near the Swiss border, 39-year-old Marco de

Giving Thanks, 2015

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It’s 6:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning and above my laptop’s screen, I can just now start to make out the outline of the Northern Presidentials, here in Randolph, the quirky little mountain town in Northern New Hampshire that’s my home for much of the year. On my mind is Thanksgiving… or, more accurately, thanks and giving.

Monte Spluga: A Well-Kept Secret Near the Swiss-Italian Border

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Left turn. Right turn. Left turn. Right turn. The slow progress of your car journey up the mountain is backed only by the soundtrack of the driver’s foot moving from the accelerator to the brake pedal, a slight twang each time he lets off the brake. You soon tire of driving over mountain passes, particularly

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