june 19-22, 2025
46K • 23K • 18k • 11K • Ascent • iron face
TRIPLE CROWN • IRON crown • KIDS RACE
RUN THE ALPS IN SEPTEMBER
At the Broken Arrow Skyrace, we like to say that "whether you finish first or last, YOU are a rockstar." This 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 only align with brands and organizations that share our vision for the future of our sport and the unique experience that only independently owned and operated trail running events can offer.
Today, we are excited to announce an amazing new Swiss Alps race partnership with Dents du Midi, (DDM Trail), the oldest mountain race in Europe AND Run the Alps, the Official European Trail Running Partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace. We are proud to align with DDM Trail as a sister race and continue our long-standing partnership with Run the Alps.
To celebrate, we are giving away a $10,000 package that includes complimentary airfare, lodging, and race entry for the DDM Trail race (Sep. 14, 2024), some sweet Salomon gear, and a coveted spot on one of Run the Alps' most popular trip, September in the Alps (Sept. 9-15,2024). This fall, one lucky US resident will enjoy a unique trail running adventure with Run the Alps and then experience the historic DDM Trail race itself…for FREE!
This Run the Alps trip starts in the iconic town of Chamonix, France, one of the world's trail-running hotspots. It also visits the quiet Swiss Alps village of Champéry and finishes, conveniently, at the DDM Trail.
Later in the year, DDM Trail will offer a similar travel and lodging prize package to one of their participants…including an opportunity to compete in the 2025 Broken Arrow Skyrace.
DDM celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2021. The race is a cult classic amongst European runners due in large part to its long and rich history.
We were introduced to the DDM Trail by Doug Mayer. Doug is the founder of Run the Alps but has also become a close friend. Last summer, DDM Trail race organizer Gil Caillet-Bois attended Broken Arrow, and a trans-Atlantic trail friendship—and now an official partnership—was born.
Learning more about the amazing history of this event and spending some time with Gil, we quickly realized that he and his team share many of the core values and principles that have always defined the Broken Arrow Skyrace. The difference is they have been doing it for over 50 years!
We created the Broken Arrow Skyrace, presented by Salomon Running, 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.
Whereas Broken Arrow takes place on the high alpine trails of Palisades Tahoe, DDM Trail does the exact same thing, but in the picturesque Swiss Alps, a range that towers over the mountain villages of Troistorrents, Val D’Illiez, and Champéry.
Our partnership with DDM Trail and Run the Alps originated as a celebration of the independent nature of our respective organizations. It is meant to pay homage to the "soul" of the trail and ultra community. At a time when our sport is growing increasingly corporatized, 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 also reflected by the distance offerings at each event.
Since its launch in 2016, the Broken Arrow—especially the 23k—has become one of the most sought-after, competitive, sub-ultra races in North America. Inspired by the European “classics,” with over 700 registrants, and another 1,000 runners on the waitlist, the Broken Arrow 23k has proven that challenging, technical mountain races are in demand.
DDM Trail has done the same, but for over 50 years, with a 32-kilometer trail “marathon.” And, just like Broken Arrow, they also offer other iconic distances, including the DDM 13k (500 meters of elevation gain) and a 57k with (3,700 meters elevation gain).
For years, circumnavigating this range in a day was a test piece for regional Swiss police. DDM is definitely an alpine race, with remote sections on the far side of the range. It is very nearly entirely on paths.
The race starts and finishes in the beautiful village of Champéry. The classic 57 km course passes by several huts, climbs over two cols high above the tree line, and runs through the tiny, picturesque hamlet of Mex. In true Swiss Alps fashion, the race is characterized by stiff climbs and a total elevation gain of 3,700 meters.
To illustrate DDM Trail’s inclusivity measures, they also offer a relay race for the 57, and allow participants two days to complete the course as a hike – what the race calls the “Trail Découverte.” They also offer a 32km race with 1800 meters of uphill gain, which takes place on the second half of the course. There is an impressive new suspension bridge that crosses a huge waterfall at the far end of the loop before runners head towards a refreshment break at the pretty Bonavau refuge before the final descent into Champéry.
This giveaway is open to any US resident.
All 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 is non-transferable and only eligible for runners residing in the lower 48 US states. If you do not see something listed in the overall summary of items above, it is not included in the package and is the responsibility of the winner.
RUN THE ALPS PARTNERSHIP
Run the Alps remains the Official European Trail Running Partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace. Run the Alps is the premier provider of European trail running vacations and a longtime partner of the Broken Arrow Skyrace. We've had the good fortune of forging a friendship with Run the Alps founder Doug Mayer and we are excited to continue to work with them as our Official European Trail Running Partner.
Flower-covered high pastures. Centuries-old herders huts. The distant cacophony of cow bells. Hut caretakers with mugs of fresh café au lait. And, all around, rugged peaks pierce Europe’s rooftop. It’s hard to write about the Alps without sounding like a string of guidebook clichés. The thing is…it’s all true. Trail running in the Alps is pretty hard to beat.
Run the Alps founder Doug Mayer has been at it for years now—ever since he and his brother first stuffed ten franc bills in their socks and headed off for a run with no particular destination in mind. That day, they ran to a local summit, coasted along a ridge next to the Eiger, and stopped in at a mountain cafe for a warm cup of Ovomaltine and a croissant. One thing led to another, and soon Doug was planning trips for others. Together with trail-running friends in both Europe and the United States, he started Run the Alps.
The goal of Run the Alps is to find the absolute best trail running experiences in the Swiss, French, and Italian Alps. Away from the crowds, in high Alp villages, their trips seek out those runs that are a bit quieter, a bit wilder, and bring together the very best the Alps have to offer.
Whether a one-hour jaunt to a local hut or an all-day adventure over ridges, peaks, and pastures, Run the Alps offers organized and self-guided tours through some of the most dramatic scenery anywhere on earth. Run the Alps believes that trail running is as much about camaraderie as it is about personal challenge. They look forward to helping you plan your adventure and hope to see you on the trail!
Run the Alps is committed to responsible international travel. They are a member of 1% for the Planet, incorporate Leave No Trace principles into all of their trips, and work to reduce the cultural and environmental impact of our trips, including purchasing carbon offsets. You can read more about Run the Alps’ sustainability journey HERE.
Join them on Facebook, or follow them on Instagram. Share in the adventure, and get ready to run the Alps!