Local, seasonal and organic refreshments for more flavour

A pioneering event in its eco-responsible practices, the Eco Trail Paris strives to offer runners local, seasonal and organic produce at all feed zones. This is a strong commitment that intensifies with each edition, thanks to a meticulously studied food strategy. For the 2022 edition, the race will be spiced up with a number of new features.

Food during a trail run deserves special attention. It is one of the most frequent factors leading to abandonment. As the distance increases, it becomes a real performance issue.

A food strategy

Good nutrition enables runners to maintain a constant level of competitiveness. With the well-being of its participants in mind, the EcoTrail Paris is once again pulling out all the stops, offering quality local produce at all its refreshment points. A rich and varied range that fully respects the event's eco-responsible values. "Our food strategy is constantly evolving. Every year, we continue our sourcing work with suppliers. Our approach is to use local producers as much as possible. Our aim is to offer runners local, seasonal and organic products in the refreshment zones. For this 2022 edition, the latter will have an even more varied range of sweet and savoury foods," explains Maëlys de Gove, head of food services for the EcoTrail Paris.

Savoury products invite themselves to the refreshment table

In order to guarantee an adequate nutritional intake, a wide choice of products will be offered to male and female runners along the different routes. With a few new items on the menu. What's on the menu? Bread, cheese, sausage, apples, oranges, soup and dried fruit. Something for everyone. "Following feedback from participants at the end of the 2021 edition, we have reworked our refreshment offer with more substantial products. This year, we're adding savoury foods such as cheese and sausages. Products with the same local flavours. In addition, oranges will be making a reappearance at the refreshment stands this year. This is because we are working with a company that supplies "ugly" or unsold fruit, and which, like us, has a highly ecological approach with an anti-waste policy. Gone, too, will be the summer gazpacho, replaced by a more seasonal vermicelli and broth soup," she explains.

Sparkling EcoTrail Paris in 2022

New beverage trends are also on the agenda for 2022. To further limit plastic waste, this year's organizers will be relying on locally-produced cola kegs from Limonaderie de Paris. A tasty, gourmet drink 100% Parisian. Apple juice and apricot syrup will also be making their appearance, in place of iced tea and orange juice. These new products have been introduced with the aim of moving towards 100% local catering. "As with the food, we've also introduced a few innovations in the drinks section. We'll be calling on Limonaderie de Paris for cola. Barrels will be available at several finishes (80km, 30 & 45km). We'll also be working with our partner SodaStream at all refreshment points to reduce the number of single-use plastic bottles. As for hot drinks, runners will also benefit from an expanded range of products from our suppliers Terramoka and Yogi Tea, already present in 2021", explains Maëlys de Gove.

The origin of products promoted in refreshment zones

To promote these commitments, this year's EcoTrail Paris will be highlighting the origin of all the products on offer in the refreshment zones. The aim is to raise runners' awareness of these eco-responsible values. "Every year, we push this local consumption even further. Our aim will be to step up our communication with runners so that they become aware of our approach. We'll be putting up signs indicating where each product comes from. Our aim is to move towards 100% local food provisioning over the coming years. For each edition, new producers are canvassed to offer athletes local, seasonal and organic products." This is a real guideline in the fight against waste, limiting food wastage and the carbon impact generated by transport. A strategy that fits in perfectly with the values that EcoTrail Paris aims to promote.