Striving for Net Positive
Here at Run the Alps, we know that there is an inherent tension in the phrase “sustainable travel”; the very fact of traveling has an impact on the environment and the communities we visit. We are also convinced that seeing the world – especially the natural world, running in inspiring places and spending time with interesting people can have huge benefits too. That’s why we are committed to doing more to limit our negative impact on the environment and increase our positive impact on the communities in which we operate.
– Hillary Gerardi, Environment & Climate Projects Manager
A little history
From day one, Run the Alps has been a member of 1% for the Planet, and we continue to donate 1% of our gross income to support local environmental and social initiatives.
In 2020, we developed and implemented an Alps-specific adaptation of the Leave No Trace principles on all of our trips.
In 2023, we made a commitment to double down our efforts and hold ourselves publicly accountable by sharing and reporting back on our yearly objectives and impact.
2024: What we did
Our Environment:
- As part of our 1% for the Planet commitment, we supported organizations working to mitigate climate change and restore nature in the Mont-Blanc Massif and surrounding areas. These included Slyv’acctes, CREA Mont-Blanc, Asters, and Protect our Winters France.
- We offset the carbon footprint of our operations via the company Terrapass.
Our Community:
- We updated our tour grading system, launched new Level 1 and Level 4 tours and partnered with inclusivity advocates, Mirna Valerio and Zach Friedley, to further our goal of creating a trail running community in the Alps where everyone feels welcomed.
- We supported YAMBI, a local non-profit working to facilitate the integration of refugees through mountain sports and Alpine Run Project, who use the transformative power of trail running to support and inspire young people living in inner cities in the UK.
2025: Looking ahead
Our Environment:
- We will work with external experts to gain a deeper understanding of our environmental footprint and develop ways to continue to address it.
- We will continue to support organizations working to mitigate climate change and restore nature in the Mont-Blanc Massif and surrounding areas.
- We’ll better support our guides and guests in understanding the impacts of climate change and how we can all take action to reduce our impact. This will include creating new resources, training opportunities and in-person conversations.
Our Community:
- We’ve launched our Run the Alps Tour Grant Program, which aims to help people from historically excluded or underrepresented communities join our trips, by providing an opportunity to attend a Run the Alps tour at a reduced or no cost. This includes, but is not limited to, people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, adaptive athletes, and those experiencing socioeconomic barriers.
- We’re continuing to develop our Level 1 and Level 4 Trips, so that every type of runner can find a trip that suits their pace and skills.
- We’re exploring additional ways to support our 2025 community partners, En Passant Par La Montagne and Alpine Run Project, as they continue their work to create a more inclusive trail running community here in the Alps.
We have lots of 2025 projects in the works, and look forward to sharing more information about them as soon as we can!
Got ideas for us?
We would love to hear from you about how you think we can not just do good, but do better! Reach out to us and we’ll make sure that your comments get to the right set of eyes.
Learn more:
How Climate Change is Affecting the Alps
What is Run the Alps’ Carbon Footprint?
Organizations we work with:
Since its inception Run the Alps has been a member of 1% for the Planet, a non-profit organization whose corporate members donate 1% of their gross proceeds each year to support environmental initiatives around the planet.
We run all of our trips according to the seven Leave No Trace principals, including limiting group sizes to reduce our environmental and social impacts. A typical guide-to-guest ratio on a Run the Alps trip is 6:1.
CREA Mont-Blanc is a local non-profit research center focussed on researching and addressing the impact climate change is having in the Alps.
Asters mission is to preserve and showcase the natural heritage of France’s Haute-Savoie region. This area includes Chamonix and much of the Tour du Mont-Blanc.
Sylv’acctes works to restore and preserve old forests in France. We are currently supporting a local project to rehabilitate the monoculture spruce forests, which have suffered because of recent high temperatures and the invasion of the European Bark beetle, replacing them with diversified forests where needed.
Inspire is working to improve air quality in the Chamonix valley.
Protect Our Winters France is committed to working with local race organizations to help them minimize their impact. POW worked directly with the Mont Blanc Marathon to ensure at least 40% of participants come via train in 2025.
En Passant Par La Montagne is a local non-profit working to make a mountain environment that includes, integrates and educates. It is committed to ensuring the mountains are accessible to those who are vulnerable, excluded, and in need.
The Alpine Run Project, is a UK-based organization that uses the transformative power of trail running to support and inspire young people living in inner cities.
The Clean Air Task Force works to reduce air pollution, combat climate change and promote clean energy solutions through scientific advocacy, policy reform, and technological innovation.
