PATAGONIA AMBASSADOR CLARE GALLAGHER FOR “RUNNING UP FOR AIR”

Running Up for Air is a mountain running challenge that involves running up and down a mountain for 3, 6 or 12 hours. The event aims to raise awareness about the issue of air pollution: originally born in the United States, the initiative was held for the first time in Europe in Chamonix, France, on the 4th of May.

During winter, going up the valley often means starting from an environment where the air is polluted, cold and contaminated due to our modern lifestyle and the infamous Mont Blanc Tunnel, to then reach the highest peaks where the air is surprisingly purer and cleaner.

At 6,30 am on Saturday May 4th, the first 18 runners met at Les Planards in the Chamonix valley, to begin a 12-hour run as part of the Patagonia event “Running Up For Air”.

The first European edition RUFA took place, an endurance mountain challenge with runners who have chosen to run 3, 6 or 12 hours up and down the paths to raise their voices in the struggle for clean air. There are few things more valuable than clean air is what the event intended to highlight, in support of Inspire, a local NGO that sensitizes public opinion about air pollution and that local workers are supporting in the Chamonix Valley . Spectators, including Chamonix Mayor Eric Fournier, spent the day at Les Planards rooting for the participants. A total of 79 athletes, including the Patagonia Ambassador Clare Gallagher, who run for 855 km and climbed over 133,500 meters during the day.

The money raised through the event will be donated to Inspire to support their work in the struggle for cleaner air quality in the Chamonix Valley.