Protect, renovate and enhance natural and historical heritage

Combine sport and environmental protection. EcoTrail Paris® makes it possible. Since its creation in 2008, the Paris event has been committed to responsible sport, developing ever more innovative initiatives. These strong commitments are in line with current environmental challenges. In this series of articles, we'd like to highlight the various initiatives being implemented as part of this 14th edition (July 3 and 4, 2021).

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Useful running with Trail Runner Foundation

Symbolic places that must be preserved. For each edition, the EcoTrail Paris® develops and implements targeted actions in favor of these protected sites. For this 14th edition, our event has teamed up with Trail Runner Foundation, a general interest association whose aim is to raise awareness of nature protection among as many people as possible, and to take concrete action through eco-responsible behavior on a daily basis, particularly when practicing sports in natural environments. "The association was born in 2013 during a simple training outing in the great outdoors. Since then, the entity has grown well with more and more members, be they amateur sportsmen and women, race organizers or sports clubs. Our aim is to set an example and take action to protect our planet. Since 2020, the association has received major support from MAIF, as part of their Sport Planète scheme", assures TRF member Marianne Bernard. Several initiatives will be organized alongside the race to raise awareness among as many participants as possible. "TRF supports organizers in their eco-responsible initiatives. The founders of the association share the same values as the EcoTrail Paris®. For this 2021 edition, we will be working together to organize 2 useful events before (the weekend of June 26 and 27) and after the race (July 4). The aim will be to collect as much garbage as possible along part of the route. Eight relay runners will also be mobilized on race day on the Trail 80km route to run responsibly and clean up the trails along the way. Nature lovers are bound to be sensitive to this type of solidarity action." Once again this year, the rules of the game will be simple: run without leaving a trace in your wake, in order to preserve Mother Nature, which has been made available to us for a weekend.

To pre-register for Rendez-Vous Utile on the weekend of June 26 & 27

Rehabilitating the natural environment with the ONF

EcoTrail Paris® is also committed to promoting the region's tourist and natural heritage, by donating funds to concrete actions aimed at rehabilitating natural sites and monuments. In collaboration with the Office National des Forêts, several projects have been launched since the event's inception. These actions are part of a common policy to preserve and enhance biodiversity. "Each year, the race takes in different sectors of forest managed by the ONF. The organizers are keen to participate alongside us in essential actions to preserve our sites. Since 2008, an endowment has been distributed each year. Recently, two ponds were restored thanks to EcoTrail Paris funding. These are quite fragile environments that need light to thrive. The work has been more than beneficial for this biodiversity", says Ysatys Nadji, communications manager for the Office Nationale des Forêts.

An endowment has also been allocated to the restoration of fragile sites at the heart of the Château de Versailles. The restoration of statues, busts and benches was carried out as part of the sponsorship project.

"Twenty years after the devastating storm of 1999, the vegetation has regenerated, and the gardens have regained their 17th- and 18th-century design and balance, thanks to exceptional support from the French government and the uninterrupted patronage of our sponsors. Since 2010, the participants and organizers of the EcoTrail Paris® have helped to honour the world's largest sculpture museum and to emphasize the Château de Versailles' commitment to the environment. This 2021 edition will perhaps support the restoration of a new statue, like that of "Juno of Smyrna" in 2020, or the planting of trees to complete the lost alignments, or perhaps the installation of benches for visitors to rest in the bosquet de la Reine", assures Hélène Dalifard, communications manager at the Château de Versailles.

Runners, don't hesitate to open your eyes and enjoy the wonderful playground that the Paris region has to offer.