Tag Archives: alps

The vertical kilometer ro rises exactly 1,000 meters from the center of Chamonix’s old town. We’ve pulled together our tips for running the route safely.

The packing list for the UYN Vertical Courmayeur Mont Blanc Trail Race: Running shoes; check. Sunglasses; check. Running vest; check. Climbing helmet… Check?! The northern Alps village of Courmayeur, at the base of Mont Blanc, recently hosted one of the more outrageous trail running races in the Alps: the UYN Vertical Courmayeur Mont Blanc. The

Trail des Dents du Midi’s full loop is now sold out for 2019– the earliest ever for the race. However, Run the Alps has access to entries as part of our September Chamonix-Champéry guided trip. You can read more about the trip, and race options, here. (And some spaces still remain for the Dents du

It’s three o’clock in the morning, and my partner Chase and I are running up Chamonix’s famous Vertical Kilometer, or “VK.” We sliced our way through spiderwebs, trudging up to the Planpraz finish with nothing to look at other than the dim circle radiating from our headlamps… but, we were on a mission. Now picture

Guest article by Hayley Done Since moving to Montreux, Switzerland a couple of years ago, cyclist and triathlete Hayley Done started to feel the draw of the mountain trails. Last summer she entered her first trail race in nearby Anzère, perched above the Rhône Valley in the Swiss Canton of Valais. Here she talks through

The Swiss mountain town of Verbier is well-known as a ski resort, and the St-Bernard pass is famous for its dogs who used to rescue needy travelers on this high mountain crossing between Switzerland and Italy. However, this beautiful region in the Valais Canton of southwestern Switzerland is increasingly known for its exciting trail running

We outline who provides the rescue services, what procedures are involved– and who foots the bill. There’s specific advice for France, Switzerland and Italy, plus some general guidance to get you safely through the process if you do actually have to call for rescue.

Based in Bellingham, Washington, Run the Alps Ambassador and Nike trail running team member David Laney is a regular visitor to Chamonix, France. In the quiet off-seasons of spring and fall, it’s not uncommon for David to be spotted around town or on the trails. He’s gotten to know the UTMB® particularly well, having participated