I was asked to attend Swiss Canyon Trail as a UK media representative and was also invited to take an entry into the one of the events. I chose the 31k, both because it was best for my level of fitness but also because it allowed me to attend the starts of the longer three events, view some of the course that the 31k wouldn’t pass through and generally experience the event village in its entirety. My personal goal for the weekend was to find out what the experience was like for women entering trail races in Europe and to demonstrate that regardless of your pace, these larger Continental races welcome all runners, not just the fast ones. For transparency, the entry place was gifted to me.
Travelling to the event was easy: I booked EasyJet tickets earlier in the year, Manchester to Geneva. I initially planned to take the train from Geneva to the venue, which would have been 2 hours and required one change along the beautiful Lake Geneva, but because I wanted to hop around the place I decided on renting a car, which again was only about 2 hours from the airport. Departing early Friday morning, I arrived after lunch, in time to meet Katie Young, an elite British runner running the 51k, who lives in Geneva.
I was warmly welcomed by Cornelia and Dina, both on the organising team at SCT, and with whom I’d been communicating with for months prior to the event. I settled in the large sports hall, the HQ of the event, to watch the elite runners for each of the ultra races being introduced and Aaron Shimmons from Trail Talk chat to representatives from Kailas FUGA and Neversecond, both key sponsors of the race. I thought introducing the elite runners was a nice touch – celebrating the front runners is just as important as celebrating the back ones in my mind. A pasta party was on offer to all runners and it was lovely to meet so many people I had chatted to digitally but not yet met.
An early (03.45!) alarm woke me in time to get to the 111k start at 5am, and then the 81k race start at 6am. The 51k race started at 7.15 and all runners were waved off in the cool of the morning. We had been warned that temperatures were due to be high over the weekend and I landed to 32°C on Friday, but Saturday was due to be cooler.
The start of the 111k
Then I drove to Creux du Van, a spectacular natural rock amphitheatre, along which the longer races ran and I wanted to see some of the famous landscapes that I wouldn’t on the shorter race. Some of the 111k runners were going through, and I saw there was a 51k runner too. I checked the tracking to see if Katie had passed through, and got a surprise as someone yelled and it was Katie herself who had just arrived! I gave her a cheer, then went back to my hotel to rest and prepare for my own race.
31k is less than 20 miles, and with Lake District elevation in my legs from working as a Mountain Guide, I wasn’t worried about the distance or height gain. But actual running training had been minimal so I knew I would be firmly at the back of the pack. But while one of my passions is supporting women interested in ultra running, I’m also just as keen to show that those of us who run midfield or at the back have just as much fun.
The spectacular Creux du Van
When someone buys a race entry, so long as they stay within the published cut offs, they have the right to everything the front runners get automatic access to; open checkpoints, food and drink at checkpoints, friendly marshals, and finish line gantries and sometimes this isn’t the case. SheRACES has recently published a report on this subject which you can read here.
I want to encourage anyone who thinks they don’t belong in a race, who thinks they have no right to be there, who thinks running at the back doesn’t count, that they have every right to be there. So, part of my decision to race the 31k despite not being race fit, was to demonstrate that you don’t have to be a racing snake to enter an exciting race like this. Swiss Canyon Trails are truly supportive to everyone, no matter where in the field they run. They even had a Nordic Walking option when I entered as a runner, so they are fully prepared for walkers too.
Head over to instagram and you’ll see my story highlights of the weekend, including my mid race rumblings. It did turn out to be super hot at 32° when we started at 14.45 so that slowed me down even more; I’m definitely not heat adapted after a rubbish spring in the UK. Katie had finished her race when I got to HQ before the start, and insisted I go and get wet; she firmly marched me to a bathroom where I soaked my buff and hat and ran my head under the tap. I was very grateful for that, and sooner than I thought I would be. The first couple of miles were following the river along the valley, and with it also being tarmac, the heat was immediately oppressive. I slowed down to the gentlest of jogs, but was incredibly hot and any relief I got from the wet buff and hair disappeared. Just as we turned to start our first climb however, a wonderful woman was standing there with a hosepipe, spraying everyone. Bliss. I stood under it and made sure I got totally soaked from head to toe (thank you, Kailas FUGA, for the waterproof phone pocket in my vest).
The stunning scenery did it’s best to take my attention off my nausea, and the plentiful streams winding their way through the forests we travelled through allowed me to dip my hat and buff into the waters regularly to regulate my temperature. It really is a wonderful experience to hear proper cow bells ringing, not only by supporters at the checkpoints, but on the cows themselves. The Alpine meadows we passed through were like idyllic scenes from Heidi and the peaceful valleys hidden from the eyes of road travellers were a constant source of visual delight.
At the start of one of my tortuous ascents in the forest (think Parkins Clough in the Peak District x 10) I passed by a beautiful little waterfall with steps cut into the rock next to it. I imagined seeing a little green fairy (no, not hallucinating yet!). When I first heard about this race I learned that the region we run through is the home of Absinthe, also known as la fée verte or The Green Fairy.
Absinthe was first distilled in the late 18th century using wormwood, anise, fennel and other alpine herbs. Its powerful reputation led to a ban in Switzerland in 1910, and it remained banned for almost a century, with clandestine distillers quietly preserving the tradition until Absinthe was legalised again in 2005.
Today, the Absinthe Trail winds through the forests, villages and distilleries of the Val de Travers, linking places where the Green Fairy’s story was born. Visitors to the region can explore museums, historic distilleries and botanical sites, and discover how a drink once condemned as dangerous and hallucinogenic was largely misunderstood – its infamous effects owing more to its high 75% alcohol content than any mythical properties. The region, and Swiss Canyon Trails, have embraced this colourful heritage, and the Green Fairy has once again become a symbol of the valley.
I just made it back before dark; having been forced to walk most of the route to keep the nausea at bay, I was finally able to run again once the sun had gone behind the mountains and I ran down the hill and crossed the finish line a very weary 6 hours and 54 minutes later. My arrival was greeted with huge enthusiasm though, both by the people commentating and the large numbers around the finish line gantry including Katie who had kindly waited to see me in; gazebos were set up in the finish area where you got your finishers t-shirt and souvenier key ring. I will admit to being a medal princess, so was a teeny bit disappointed not to receive one, but I realise they’re not for everyone.
A very welcome huge plate of pasta was available, which I wolfed, gratefully sitting in the still busy hall, filled with that familiar sight of people in various stages of post-race emotion; elation, exhaustion or sorrow. It was a huge boost to my running confidence that I kept going despite the nausea – I’ve never suffered with it before and it’s a truly horrible feeling, constantly battling the feeling of needing to be sick.
Ok, so my new hashtag #funattheback might have been a bit of misnomer in this case, but I maintain being at the back at this race still gave me an excellent experience and I was made to feel just as welcome and worthwhile as anyone ahead of me, even if I didn’t feel it myself! It’s also worth mentioning that Kailas FUGA sponsor this race and their support for women is second to none, as demonstrated by their new Female Talent Team and their support with RunUltra’s Womens Community Run in November, for the new Swiss Womens Trail in September and for the Dolomiti Women’s Trail in May.
My flight back wasn’t until Monday; Sunday morning was spent back at HQ – people had been coming in throughout the night on the 111k race and there was a medal ceremony for those who podiumed in all the races. Another nice touch by the organisers was to laud the volunteers and they were each picked out and asked to go on stage for us all to cheer for their help and support over the weekend. Sunday afternoon I spent exploring the area a bit; I drove to the highest café I could find on Le Chausseron, the nearest peak, and found an amazing purpose-built viewing tower which overlooked the valley below and across to the full Alps, rising like a wall on the other side. That evening I had a go at trying Absinthe; sadly the first whiff of aniseed put me off forever; that’s a hard no from me! I indulged in my other favourite alpine drink instead; Génépi.
The wonderful volunteers of Swiss Canyon
I wanted to reach out to other English speaking runners of the race, to find out why they entered and what the logistics were like for them. UK races are often more expensive than ones abroad and while you might be spending more in travel, I would argue 2 night’s accommodation in the Lake District is more expensive also than two nights in the Val de Travers.
Joshua Holman
Having called London home for a decade, my recent relocation to Lausanne, Switzerland, opened up a world of alpine possibilities. I set my sights on the Swiss Canyon Trail 111k, a race steeped in history and local prestige. What began as a personal challenge quickly evolved into a centrepiece for our “Trail Talk” community as over 30 digital friends transitioned from the screen to the mountains to tackle various distances.
My passion for trail ultramarathons is driven by three elements: the pursuit of a challenge, a deep connection with nature, and the strength of the community. Swiss Canyon Trail delivered on all fronts. With a competitive field, the breathtakingly diverse terrain of the Jura Mountains, and dedicated volunteers, the atmosphere was nothing short of electric.
Transitioning from London trails to European mountain racing requires a tactical shift, specifically to handle the relentless, sustained verticality both up and down. Knowing this, I prioritized downhill-specific training and rigorous strength and conditioning to ensure my legs were mountain-ready. This preparation proved vital as I navigated the relentless demands of the Jura mountains.
On race day, the months of disciplined preparation culminated in a performance where everything clicked, which is a rarity in the unpredictable world of ultras. Despite an intense heatwave, I executed the strategy to perfection, finishing 28th overall. I met all my objectives: finishing injury-free, enjoying healthy competition with my peers, and hitting my target time. My secret weapon was my nutrition strategy where I maintained 130g of carbs per hour. As the saying goes, a fire needs fuel to burn!
Swiss Canyon Trail is an exceptional event that I cannot recommend highly enough. For anyone seeking a premier destination race that tests your limits while offering stunning scenery, this is the one to add to your calendar. I hope to see you there!
Phil Burnett
I entered the Swiss Canyon Trail 82k back in the autumn, I’d been looking for an early season mountain challenge and heard good things about the race, quite a few friends from the fantastic Trail Talk community were also planning on entering so it was a good opportunity to meet up as well. In May it’s difficult to find longer alpine races as snow cover can still be an issue but with the race being in the Jura and topping out at 1600m, this wasn’t an issue.
I’ve learnt from experience to always check out the logistics before hitting the ‘enter’ button and Swiss Canyon was really easy logistically for me – early flight from Gatwick to Geneva, train to Noraigue (where I stayed in a cheap and cheerful hostel) and the race laid on buses to the start on race day. I really enjoy racing on the continent, I’ve raced in France, Italy, Switzerland and Spain over the last few years. There are so many races to choose from in these countries especially if you’re prepared to look beyond just UTMB events. The races, no matter whether small or large, always have a buzz to them, have great support and one always get the feeling that the locals are justifiably proud of their events.
The race itself went well for me. the 6am start was not too brutal and we benefitted from the cool morning temps. The opening section was very runnable and we hit the first big climb after 10k, this and the following climb to the high point of Chasseron were a nice steady gradient and not technical. At 45k we could collect drop bags so didn’t have to carry all our fuel for a whole day, a big help especially without crew. The aid stations were spaced at roughly 10km intervals and well stocked, however I prefer to take my own gels and drink mix and use the aid stations for water and coke. The heat really started to hit around midday but there were plenty of buckets of water and hoses to cool ourselves off with at the aid station.
I was really happy with my pace up to 60k and had hopes of beating my goal time of 12hrs. Ultras always have a sting in the tail though and Swiss Canyon was no exception, two brutally steep climbs in the last 14k had me cursing and it was a big relief to get to the final aid station in the knowledge that from here it would be a gentle 4km descent to the finish. We finished as we started, around the running track at the sports centre HQ. I found the energy for a final sprint, finishing in 12hrs 3mins and importantly 3rd place in my age category of V60 and a prize hamper consisting of local produce – Absinthe, Gruyere cheese, saucisson, jam and a peach cordial!
All in all a great event. Really well organised, friendly, plenty of well stocked aid stations and some stunning scenery. Easy to get to from the UK and, I’d say, a good option for anyone looking to experience continental mountain racing.
Katie Young
I chose Swiss Canyons as I wanted to make the most of being in Switzerland and run some of the local races – the elite packages were also very generous. ITRA dependent… with hotel nights and even payment for finishing for the longer races – I chose the 52km purely given my race schedule for the year and knowing that May was a busy work month so training wouldn’t be optimal.
It was a novelty for me to be treated as an elite, and the team looking after the athletes did a great job of making me feel very welcome throughout the weekend.
I always find it a bit of a conflicting stint when women are asked to stand at the front of the start line so a photo can be taken, in my sceptical eyes to misrepresent the percentage of women running. Immediately after this men often then come and stand directly in front seemingly unaware of the human they have just blocked.
Throughout the course there were a surprising number of supporters. The aid stations were very well staffed with (as is often the case) cheery smiling kind volunteers who have given up their weekend to make it all possible.
Before the race I’d asked Cornelia for some statistics on female participation at the event. I was sent a spreadsheet, which I needed to ask for AI assistance in interpreting and those bullet points are below.
No matter what country you are in, there’s no doubt the gender gap in trail and ultra running remains a challenge across the sport. However, Swiss Canyon Trail’s figures do compare favourably against wider participation trends. Data from the International Trail Running Association (ITRA) shows women represented 30.5% of trail race participants worldwide in 2025, with female participation dropping significantly as distances increase, from 45.5% in races under 10km to just 14.4% in events over 100 miles. Swiss Canyon Trail’s progress is particularly notable: women now represent more than half of the 16K field, more than a third of the 31K runners, and nearly a quarter of the 81K participants, which shows a significant shift towards a more balanced start line across the distances.
Image courtesy of Swiss Canyon Trails
- Female participation at Swiss Canyon Trail has grown significantly over the past decade, with women now making up more than half of finishers in the shortest 16K event.
- In 2025, women represented 51% of 16K finishers and 36% of the 31K field, showing a strong presence across the shorter and mid-distance races.
- The growth has been particularly notable in the longer ultra distances, with female participation in the 81K increasing from just 8% in 2021 to 23% in 2025.
- Earlier editions showed a much larger gender imbalance in the longer races, with women accounting for only 7% of 105K entrants in 2018. The latest data suggests a steady move towards greater representation across all distances.
- Despite this progress, the longest races remain the biggest challenge for gender parity, with women making up 13% of the 111K finishers and 9% of the 166K finishers in 2025.
- The overall trend reflects a broader evolution in trail and ultra running, with increasing numbers of women taking on longer distances and a more diverse start line across the Swiss Canyon Trail programme.
It’s clear to me that Swiss Canyon Trails inclusive policies have worked and this is why their female participation numbers are relatively good. For over 30 years now Swiss Canyon have offered equal prize money and their new female only event will go further, offering a stepping stone for those interested in going further or trying the trails for the first time.
I think it’s also worth pointing out that while there is a big push to get an equal start line, we should consider that perhaps not all women want to run ultra marathons. While I personally want to support anyone who is interested, and raise awareness that there are barriers to the sport men don’t have, the general data in trail running suggest that perhaps more women simply enjoy the shorter races. Not many people can balance the time needed to train for a race around life, and I would argue it’s harder for women to juggle families, work and training than it is for men, but even if all barriers were removed, would all those women suddenly enter 100 mile + events? I don’t think so, but I would love to hear your thoughts on it. I think it should be ok for someone, regardless of gender, to say they love a trail marathon or a trail 10k, and for that to be enough.
Swiss Canyon Trail are putting on their first female only event on 12th September and I am excited for them that they are doing this. There’s no doubt now that there are a lot of women who simply feel more comfortable running alongside female peers. A lot of pressure is removed; thoughts about pace, looks, gear, wild wees, periods, wobbly bits, skinny bits, knobbly bits, are all gone and that instils confidence. Once that confidence is gained, the world is their oyster and I hope they then go on to participate in other events. I wish Swiss Canyon Trails the very best for their inaugural event and I can thoroughly recommend their races if you fancy trying something different.
As for next year, Swiss Canyon Trail will take place from 4 to 6 June 2027. One of the highlights will be the return of the 100 mile race which will further enrich the Swiss Canyon Trail programme.
I’m very grateful to Joshua Holman, Phil Burnett and Katie Young for their contributions.
