Growth and emerging challenges of trail running in France

Trail running is experiencing significant growth as both an economic driver and a mass-participation sport. In France, specific events like the Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB have demonstrated substantial local economic impact, generating 3.3 million euros across 23 communes and attracting participants from 55 different nationalities.

In Quebec, the Ultra-Trail des Pionniers is expanding its race offerings to include ultra-distances and family-oriented options.

Broadly, the discipline in France has transitioned from a niche activity to a mass sport, fueled by a desire for nature and social media appeal. The Fédération française d’athlétisme (FFA) now manages the sport through official regulations, safety labels, and simplified medical requirements. Ultra-trail running, specifically races exceeding 80 kilometers, has seen massive popularity, with major events like the Ultra-trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) facing high registration demand.

However, the sport is now facing logistical, environmental, and regulatory challenges. In the Vosges mountains, drought conditions have led to the “unprecedented cancellation” of a trail training camp after a refuge’s water source ran dry. In the Chamonix Valley and Mont-Blanc region, authorities have introduced new regulations to manage a 50% increase in hikers since COVID-19. These include mandatory reservations for overnight stays in designated paid bivouac areas and a prohibition of wild camping, a move criticized by some for undermining the sport’s core values of autonomy.

Competitive activities continue to evolve, including Aurélien Dunand-Pallaz’s attempt to break the GR20 record and the introduction of ‘La Clé de Douze’, a 216 km ultra-trail event where participants do not know their full route in advance.