Kilian Jornet Campaigns to Save Mountain Running
Legendary mountain runner Kilian Jornet has launched a campaign to "save the essence" of mountain running, concerned about overcrowding and environmental impact of popular trail races. His new initiative 'States of Elevation' aims to set standards for race organizers, runners, and sponsors, emphasizing respect for nature and preservation of wild spaces. Jornet advocates for sustainability certifications and more mindful event management to balance commercial pressures with ecological stewardship.
- The 'States of Elevation' initiative shares its name with a personal project Jornet completed in the fall of 2025, where he summited the 72 highest peaks in the contiguous U.S. entirely by human power, covering over 5,100 kilometers in 31 days to connect with local communities about environmental issues. - Jornet's concerns are supported by research showing that trails used for running events can experience erosion rates two orders of magnitude higher than what is considered sustainable, along with microplastic pollution from clothing and shoes. - The campaign is spearheaded by the Kilian Jornet Foundation, which he established in 2020 to focus on the preservation of mountain environments through research, education, and direct action projects. - A key part of the initiative is the "Green Trail Concept," a European project co-funded by the EU's Erasmus+ program that provides a specific sustainability certification for races. - This new digital certification tool assesses up to 65 different indicators, including waste management, protection of flora, travel impact, and the use of local businesses, to rate an event's sustainability level. - The popular Zegama-Aizkorri marathon in the Basque Country is scheduled to become the first race officially certified by the Green Trail Concept project in 2026. - Through his foundation and brand NNormal, Jornet also supports other environmental programs like "Restore the Trails," which has organized volunteers for trail preservation projects in Spain and California.
