Broken Arrow Skyrace Partners with Sister Race DDM Trail and Run the Alps

May 7, 2024

The Ultimate Swiss Trail Giveaway to Celebrate Independent Running Organizations

Olympic Valley, CA /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The message at the Broken Arrow Skyrace is “whether you finish first or last, YOU are a rockstar.” This ethos is core to the identity of the three-day, nine-distance event held at Palisades Tahoe each June, and is paramount to the type trail running experience the organizations have always strived to provide for their participants.

This mantra also applies to Broken Arrow partnerships. The race exclusively aligns with brands and organizations that share the same vision for the future of trail running, and the unique experience that only independently owned and operated trail running events can offer.

Today, Broken Arrow is 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. The North Lake Tahoe race entity is proud to align with DDM Trail as their sister race and continue a long-standing partnership with Run the Alps.

To celebrate, the three groups are giving away a $10,000 package that includes complimentary airfare, lodging, and race entry for the DDM Trail race (September 14), Salomon gear, and a coveted spot on one of Run the Alps’ most popular trips, September in the Alps. 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!

The Run the Alps trip starts in the iconic town of Chamonix, France, one of the world’s trail-running hotspots. Runners then cross over the border into Switzerland to visit Champéry, a quiet village tucked into the Swiss Alps and, conveniently, the starting line of the DDM Trail. This iconic trail race is not to be missed, taking runners past alpine lakes and waterfalls and weaving through forests, scree slopes and over alpine pastures.

As Broken Arrow’s sister race, DDM Trail will offer a similar prize package, covering the costs of travel and lodging, to one of their race participants…including an opportunity to compete in the 2025 Broken Arrow Skyrace.

The DDM Trail race is truly a cult classic amongst European runners. What began as a training route for the Swiss army in the 1960s has today grown into Europe’s oldest trail race, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2021.

Broken Arrow organizers were introduced to the DDM Trail by longtime friend and founder of Run the Alps, Doug Mayer. Last summer, Broken Arrow invited DDM Trail race organizer Gil Caillet-Bois to Broken Arrow, and a trans-Atlantic trail friendship—now an official partnership—was born. Broken Arrow quickly realized that Gil and his team share many of the same core values and principles that have always defined the Broken Arrow Skyrace. The difference? The DDM Trail has been doing it for over 50 years. Their history has truly stood the test of time. Read more about it here.

The Broken Arrow Skyrace was created with the goal of establishing a world-class, uber-competitive and highly branded event that also reflected the history of North American trail running–the kind of event that preserves old-school culture, traditions, and the values that have defined and built the sport. Today, the Broken Arrow Skyrace is presented by Salomon Running, a brand we believe creates some of the highest quality trail running gear. And, true to their ethos, Broken Arrow stands up for what we believe in–namely, the equal importance of EVERY runner, from professionals to back-of-the-packers.

While Broken Arrow takes runners through the high alpine trails of Palisades Tahoe, DDM Trail participants run through the picturesque Swiss Alps, across a range that towers over the mountain villages of Troistorrents, Val D’Illiez, and Champéry.

The partnership with DDM Trail and Run the Alps originated as a celebration of the independent nature of the respective organizations. Through it, the groups hope to pay homage to the “soul” of the trail and ultra community. At a time when the sport of trail and ultra running is growing increasingly corporatized, the 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 the race director.

The shared trail personality is also reflected through the structure of each event.

Since its launch in 2016, the Broken Arrow Skyrace—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, this 23 kilometer race has proven that challenging, technical mountain races are in demand.

DDM Trail has done the same, with a 32-kilometer trail “marathon”. And, just like Broken Arrow, they also offer other iconic distances, including a punchy 13 kilometer distance with 500 meters (1,640 feet) of elevation gain and a 57k with 3,700 meters (12,139 feet) of elevation gain.

For years, circumnavigating this range in a single day served as the defining test for regional Swiss police. Challenging, and at times remote, DDM Trail is the true definition of an alpine race, following trails carved over the years and vast panoramic views of the surrounding mountain range.

The race starts and finishes in the beautiful village of Champéry. The classic 57 km course passes by several mountain 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 stunning views at the top.

To illustrate DDM Trail’s inclusivity measures, the 57 kilometer race also has a relay option, and allow participants two days to complete the course as a hike – what the race calls the “Trail Découverte”. There is also a 32km race with 1,800 meters (5,900 feet) of uphill gain, which takes place on the second half of the course. Runners cross an alpine suspension bridge that crosses a crystal clear waterfall at the far end of the loop before heading toward the Bonavau Refuge, the final refreshment point before the descent back into town.

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 entire 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 something is not listed in the overall summary of items above, it is not included in the package and is the responsibility of the winner.

ABOUT RUN THE ALPS:

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.

What do we love about the Alps? 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.

Run the Alps is more than trail running. Their goal is to create 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!