Whether around Mont Blanc, the Zugspitze or the Grossglockner, or through the Dolomites: trail running events are booming across the Alps. At the UTMB alone, this year around 10,000 runners are expected to take part in various races and categories. However, the sport’s growing popularity also brings with it problems for the natural environment and small mountain communities.
In this episode of the CIPRA Podcast, Michael Gams speaks with Laura Moro, a passionate trailrunner, but also scientist and newly elected Vice President of Mountain Wilderness International, a member organisation of CIPRA. Together, they discuss the rapid rise of trail running, its appeal as a way to connect with nature, and the environmental and social challenges associated with large-scale trail running events.
The conversation explores topics such as:
– Why trail running has become one of the fastest-growing mountain sports
– The environmental impact of major trail races, including travel emissions, trail erosion and wildlife disturbance
– The effects of large events on local mountain communities
– The importance of involving residents in the planning and organisation of races
– Why awareness, education and mountain culture matter as more people enter the sport
– The role of professional athletes as ambassadors for environmental protection
– How local races, public transport and responsible travel choices can help reduce impacts
– What a more sustainable future for trail running in the Alps could look like
As Laura Moro points out, trail running has enormous potential to connect people with nature. At the same time, growing participation brings greater responsibility for protecting the mountain environments that make the sport possible.
Guest: Laura Moro, Vice President of Mountain Wilderness International, scientist and trail runner
Host: Michael Gams, CIPRA International
Read our current article about this topic: www.cipra.org/en/news/trail-runn…w-much-is-too-much
Subscribe to our alpMedia-Newsletter:
https://www.cipra.org/en/international/stay-informed/alpmedia
General information:
Mountain Wilderness International: mountainwilderness.org
CIPRA International: www.cipra.org
Photo (c) Andi Frank, Stubai Tirol
