Interview between Salomon and the EcoTrail Paris®.

EcoTrail Paris® is proud to welcome Salomon as its new main partner. The French brand, outdoor specialist since 1947, aims to win the hearts of runners in Paris and the surrounding region.

Why did you choose to join the EcoTrail Paris adventure for the next four years?

Véronique Rémy

‍Salomonis already a partner of several extremely demanding trail races. The brand's aim, as a leader in the sector, is to make this sport known and grow among new runners. The EcoTrail Paris® is a well-known race in the Paris region. With its different courses (10km, 18km, 30km, 45km, 80km), the event offers both novice and experienced athletes the chance to test themselves and exceed their limits on the trails of the Paris region. Salomon's ambition is to win over a more urban consumer. For many of them, Salomon is still primarily a ski brand, so it's a great opportunity for us to showcase our outdoor ranges. Finally, the values promoted by the EcoTrail Paris® are perfectly aligned with those of Salomon and the "Play Minded" program set up in 2016. We have this desire to move towards a more environmentally-friendly sport.

Romain Piau

‍It's a real source of pride for EcoTrail Paris® to welcome Salomon, the trail leader. This partnership demonstrates the legitimacy of our event. It represents a real attraction for all those involved. It's a form of recognition that the market leader wants to rely on us to accelerate its development for urban trailers.

What are Salomon's strengths in winning over these new enthusiasts?

Véronique Rémy

‍Salomonhas sought to diversify its product ranges by meeting the expectations of a more urban consumer. In addition to our trail and winter sports collections, the brand now offers a road running range (shoes and textiles) as well as "sportswear" type products made for use with an outdoor look... These products are designed to satisfy the needs of beginners looking for a certain level of comfort, experienced runners focused on performance, and young, urban consumers with a taste for outdoor style.

Romain Piau

‍Wehave no doubt that Parisian trail runners are going to be seduced by Salomon. The brand already has a real aura in the trail community, both through its renowned ambassadors Kilian Jornet and François D'haene, and through the technicality and quality of its products. Through our race, participants will discover our new product ranges. Our runners, whether they take part in the Trail 10km or the Trail 80km, are looking for the perfect equipment to accompany them in their efforts. I believe that Salomon has some reputable products. This is bound to appeal to the Parisian audience.

Are there any initiatives planned during the race weekend to promote the brand?

Véronique Rémy

‍Thepartnership took shape very recently. With the health situation still uncertain, it was difficult to schedule concrete events. Nevertheless, we organized a Community run and a presentation of the race in partnership with I-run. We are also planning a run in collaboration with our Salomon store in La Madeleine. Eco-runners will also be running in relays over the 80km to raise participants' awareness of environmental issues. An initiative in partnership with MAIF. Finally, the public will be able to meet Salomon in the village, where we'll be inviting Sébastien Spehler, Salomon ambassador, who is racing in the Trail 80km, for a signing session.

Romain Piau

‍Althoughthe partnership is very recent, we quickly worked with all the Salomon teams to develop the first actions. We have concentrated on a few actions, organizing them perfectly. Salomon will have the largest stand in our village. A not-to-be-missed opportunity to discover all the collections. The brand will also be working with several of our partners on awareness-raising initiatives. With MAIF, it has developed a concept of eco-runners, ambassadors in charge of collecting waste along the entire Trail 80km route. There will also be real communication around this project.

Are you aware of the growing popularity of these nature races?

Véronique Rémy

‍Withthese various confinements, we all wanted to get outdoors and discover the mountains. Sports enthusiasts, who had been adepts of gyms, turned to new outdoor disciplines. Many Parisian sports enthusiasts took up running. There was a real desire to rediscover a certain freedom and to get closer to nature.

Romain Piau

‍Sincethe end of the last lockdown, we've seen a real acceleration in registrations across all race formats. This reflects runners' desire to rediscover the adrenalin of a race and put on their sneakers in a natural setting. For several months now, the appetite for trail running has been even stronger. Trail runners are rediscovering running with an added touch of nature. It's a great way to get away from it all.