It has been a year full of events, and the Green Trail Concept (GTC) project is progressing in the right direction. Today, before entering the final year of the project (2025) for which we are very excited, we would like to first do a recap of the main 2024 highlights.
We have made significant progress towards the GTC certification scheme for race organizers to be able to start using it to assess and improve the sustainability of their trail running events. The steps taken this year are important for understanding the needs of the trail running community and tailoring the certification scheme to meet these needs as effectively as possible.
1/ Establishing a data collection methodology and a set of indicators
We started the year by reflecting on the results of the data collection event organized in September 2023 at the Ultra Pirineu race in Spain. Using those insights, we planned another data collection event, which took place April 2024 at Österlen Spring Trail race in Sweden. We designed a data collection methodology using questionnaires shared with the runners and audience at both events. Following each event, we organized two workshops involving key stakeholders, including transport companies, local authorities, natural area managers, academia, local NGOs, etc. The data collected allowed us to refine the set of indicators that the GTC project initially put together based on the sustainable development core principles and a literature review.
2/ Collaborating with key actors of the trail running community
In 2024, the GTC project engaged with many people in the trail running community. Being present at two data collection events increased our visibility and drew the attention of individuals who support our efforts to make the sport more sustainable. Additionally, the Kilian Jornet Foundation presented the project at two conferences at the end of the year, raising awareness in the trail running sector about our goals and initiatives. Through these opportunities, the GTC project captured the interest of organizers and federations, who are beginning to recognize that sustainability is increasingly important to many trail running enthusiasts.
Connecting with organizers and the trail running community is crucial—not only to gather their feedback, knowledge, and experience to improve the certification but also to raise awareness about sustainability. The more people involved with the GTC certification, the more it helps to raise awareness within the trail running community.
The GTC certification is specifically designed to comprehensively address the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability, with a strong focus on treating these three pillars as equally important. By promoting the GTC certification, we aim to raise awareness of these key pillars and their significance.
We are thrilled about the collaborations planned for next year and look forward to sharing all the details with you starting in January 2025—stay tuned!
3/ Initiating the development of the GTC’s IT tool to be integrated on the GTC website
This year we finalized and refined the set of indicators that will measure the sustainability of trail running races through the web app we are creating. The indicators are composed of relevant questions to be answered by the organizers, each one with a number of answers that provide different points depending on the sustainability requirements. Also, the indicators are accompanied by descriptions and justifications that allow the user to understand better and answer in a more informed and accurate way.
Another milestone has been the designing of the IT tool that accommodates the certification methodology and that will be next year available in the GTC website. A lot of work has been put for this tool to be user-friendly and visually appealing, while also making sure it is consistent, useful and provides clear and adequate results.
The IT tool is still under development and more work on its programming is expected before it can be tested live at two different trail running events in 2025. We will of course keep you informed, so be sure to sign up for our newsletter!
A new year starts for GTC
We are thrilled to share the progress we made in 2024! This year was an incredible journey as we took significant steps to bring the certification closer to reality and actively engaged with the community at the Österlen Spring Trail, both during the event and at our Annual Consortium Meeting.
A lot of work is in the pipeline for 2025! We are very much looking forward to launching the certification and engage even more with race organizers and the trail running community to contribute to making the sport more sustainable, ensuring that nature lovers and trail runners can enjoy it for many years to come!
That’s all from the Green Trail Concept partners for this year, see you in 2025!
