Kilian Jornet Foundation showcases Green Trail ERASMUS+ Project at Two Global Congresses

Taking place in Sierra Nevada as part of the 25th-anniversary celebrations of its designation as a National Park, CIMAS II brought together specialists to discuss conservation, global change, and the relationship between humans and mountain ecosystems.

Anna Manjón, biologist and scientific project developer at the KJF, presented the Green Trail Concept Project during a session exploring how technology is transforming the management and sustainable use of natural spaces. The discussion centered on a key challenge in mountain ecosystems today: balancing recreational sports in natural areas with the conservation and protection of these fragile environments.

Mountain ecosystems are under constant threat from overexploitation. Activities like trail running, which have seen exponential growth in recent years, can contribute to soil erosion, disruption of wildlife habitats and pollution. Additionally, the carbon footprint from participant travel to events exacerbates climate change, highlighting the need for more sustainable approaches. In this context, technology plays a dual role. On the one hand, it can promote increased tourism and lead to overcrowding in sensitive areas. On the other hand, it serves as a powerful tool for raising awareness and fostering sustainable practices.

Anna was also part of a panel discussion together with experts such as Estela Inés Farías Torbidoni (Deputy Director of Research at the National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia) and José Luis Postigo Sánchez (Coordinator of the IUCN Green List initiative). Together, they examined opportunities for promoting sustainable trail running and creating positive impacts on local communities.

Co-organized by the Federation of Mountain and Climbing Sports of Spain and the Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences of UCV – Valencia, this congress focused on the growing socio-economic importance of mountain sports. It discussed themes such as women at sport, performance, tourism, education, sustainability and management.

At the event, Laura Viñals, Project & Communication Manager at KJF, joined Maira Ulloa (Researcher in Sports Management – “The Sustainability of Sporting Events in Protected and Non-Protected Natural Areas”) in a panel discussion to present the Green Trail Concept (GTC) and its criteria.

Both emphasized the need for a unified sustainability certification for trail running races, highlighting the importance of auditing and stakeholder coordination to ensure transparency and reliability.

The discussion touched on existing tools, with consensus that their social and economic aspects are lacking, positioning the GTC as a leader in these areas while complementing environmental efforts.

Moderated by Dr. Héctor Esteve, the panel concluded with a Q&A addressing education for trail runners, managing mass participation, and advocating for tools like the GTC alongside regulations in natural areas.

Co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, the Green Trail Concept Project is a collaborative effort among the Kilian Jornet Foundation, Ecoserveis Association, GRID-Arendal, and ADP Sport Events AB. This initiative aims to integrate sustainability into the governance of trail running events through:

• Certification: Developing an EU sustainability certification scheme to guide trail running organizations toward more sustainable practices.
• Awareness: Educating the trail running community about the impact of their activities and encouraging behavioral changes.
• Collaboration: Promoting best practices and fostering synergies among event organizers, public administrations, and the broader trail running community.

These congresses provide an excellent opportunity to amplify the project’s message, reinforcing the importance of sustainable practices in protecting natural environments and supporting communities around mountain sports.

For more information on the Green Trail Concept Project visit https://greentrailconcept.eu/