Photo: Run the Alps | Majell Backhausen
WIN A RUN THE ALPS TRIP!
Courtesy of Broken Arrow Skyrace, Run the Alps, and Trail des Dent du Midi
Photo: Run the Alps | Majell Backhausen
Photo: Run the Alps | Majell Backhausen
At the Broken Arrow Skyrace, we like to say that "whether you finish first or last, you are a rockstar!" - that ethos is core to who we are and the type of trail running experience we have always strived to provide for our participants.
This mantra also applies to our partnerships. We align only with partners that share our vision for trail running and the unique experience that independent trail running events can offer.
For these reasons– and plenty of others– we are excited to announce a unique giveaway with the oldest trail race in the Alps, Trail des Dents du Midi and our friends at Run the Alps, our Official European Trail Running Partner. We are proud to count Trail des Dents du Midi, DDM Trail, as a sister race and to continue our long-standing partnership with Run the Alps.
WHAT'S THE GIVEAWAY?
It’s a package worth $6,000 that includes complimentary airfare up to $1,000, and a spot on one of Run the Alps' most popular trips, September in the Alps, September 14-20, 2026. The trip includes lodging, meals, in-country transportation, licensed guides and more. Included in the package is the option to take part in one of the DDM classic races, which range in distance from 13 to 57 kilometers.
This Run the Alps trip starts in the mountain town of Chamonix, France, one of the world's trail-running hotspots. It then visits the quiet end-of-the-valley Swiss village of Champéry, high in the Alps, and concludes with a lively race weekend. You can learn more about the trip, see what’s included and check out photos here.
I guess the key phrase is “enter to win.” I never thought I’d have an opportunity like this, and it turned into an adventure I’ll never forget. Along the way I made lifelong friends, experienced incredible trails, and rediscovered a spark in my running that I didn’t even realize I was missing. So much so that I’m coming back again in 2026.
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The hospitality from everyone was outstanding — from the Broken Arrow team, the Run the Alps staff, and Gil along with the entire DDM race organization. Every group made the experience welcoming, inspiring, and truly special.
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This experience reminded me why I love this sport and the community around it. I’ll absolutely be back for events with all three organizations in 2026, and I hope to see you there.
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Dream big. Enter. Make things happen. — Todd
BROKEN ARROW'S UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP WITH RUN THE ALPS & DDM TRAIL
Broken Arrow Skyrace was introduced to DDM Trail by Run the Alps’ founder, Doug Mayer. Doug, in turn, connected us with DDM Trail race organizer Gil Caillet-Bois, who subsequently joined us at Broken Arrow Skyrace. After getting to spend some time with Gil and learning more about the history of this special event, we quickly realized that he and his team share many of the core values and principles that have defined Broken Arrow Skyrace since its inception. A trans-Atlantic trail friendship was formed and, later, an official partnership was born.
ABOUT BROKEN ARROW SKYRACE
We created the Broken Arrow Skyrace in 2016 as a way to offer a world-class, uber-competitive, highly branded event that also lives up to the old-school culture, traditions, and values that have always characterized North American trail running, namely the equal importance of every runner, from professionals to “back-of-the-packers.”
Our partnership with DDM Trail and Run the Alps originated as a celebration of the independent nature of three organizations. It is meant to pay homage to the soul of the trail and ultra community. Our three organizations are firm believers in independent and authentic trail experiences where all runners' accomplishments are celebrated equally and where each runner is met at the finish line with a high-five, handshake or hug from one of the race directors.
Our shared trail personality is reflected by the many distances offered at both Broken Arrow Skyrace and DDM Trail. At Broken Arrow, we offer 11 different events. Our 23km race has become one of the most sought-after and competitive trail races in North America. Inspired by the European classics, the 23km now has 1,000 registrants, and nearly 1,000 runners on the waitlist. The Broken Arrow 23k has proven year after year that challenging, technical mountain races are in demand.
The Broken Arrow Skyrace is presented by ACG, All Conditions Gear.
ABOUT TRAIL DES DENTS-DU-MIDI
Broken Arrow takes place on the high alpine trails of Palisades Tahoe, and our sister race traces a similar route, only amid the picturesque Dents du Midi range in the Swiss Alps, not far from Switzerland’s border with France. The classic 57 km race runs through mountain pastures, past mountain huts, passes over high cols, through the high-elevation mountain hamlet of Mex, and alongside mountain lakes and tarns. All the while, runners are looping around the craggy, towering Dents du Midi range.
DDM Trail has a unique history. For years, circumnavigating the range in a day was a test piece for regional Swiss police. That original course is still the most popular. It’s 57km long, and includes 3,700 meters of climbing and descending. The course has become a classic among European trail runners.
In the years since, the organization has added a number of additional races, with the goal of making the race weekend more inclusive. They now offer a relay race of the 57km-long course, a 32km race with 1,800 meters of uphill gain, a 13km race with 500 meters of vert, and even a “Trail Découverte” event which covers the 57 km course as a two day hike, with a night at a high mountain hut.
​The race celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2021.You can learn more about its unique history in this article from Trail Runner Magazine.
ABOUT RUN THE ALPS
Run the Alps is the Official European Trail Running Partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace and a longtime partner of our event. Each year, Run the Alps offers dozens of guided and self-guided trail running tours throughout the French, Swiss and Italian Alps. With some of the highest rated reviews of any tour company, Run the Alps is frequently mentioned as one of the world’s top trail running tour companies. Founded in the US, the company now has full-time staff both in the US and Chamonix, France.
Run the Alps is a member of 1% for the Planet, and incorporates Leave No Trace principles into all of their trips. The company has a strong Net Positive effort, offers grant programs to groups historically excluded from trail running opportunities, and works with a variety of Alps-based community and environmental organizations. You can read more about Run the Alps’ Net Positive work here.
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TRIP GIVEAWAY DETAILS
​​This giveaway is open to any US resident in the lower 48 US states and is non-transferrable.
Participants must provide their email in order to be entered into the giveaway on our online platform HERE. The giveaway will be open for the month of May, and one lucky winner will be drawn in early June and notified via email.
This trip includes up to $1,000 towards airfare for the winner. For a full rundown of what else is included and what’s not included, please see the Run the Alps tour description.
The winner agrees to abide by the standard Run the Alps terms and conditions, available here.
By entering, you agree to receive marketing emails from Run the Alps. Your information will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.
