It’s said to be the race made for Kilian Jornet, while others use it to train for the famous Grand Raid de la Réunion due to its similar profile.

Never ask a mountain guide if the future of alpinism belongs to runners. It will go down like a lead balloon.

“If there is an area particularly characterised by male dominance it’s Alpinism. Glorifying courage, strength and endurance it embodies the exact opposite of what 19-century women were expected to be…”

Now that we can travel in either direction between the UK countries such as France, Italy and Spain without having to self-isolate afterwards, we can finally enjoy some of the outdoor activities we’ve been craving after weeks of isolation and confinement.

Imagine tucking yourself into bed after a hard day in the office and the next thing you know, you’re surrounded by snowy mountains.

When I arrived in the port city of Muscat, Oman's capital that’s wedged between arid Hajar mountains and the Gulf of Oman, I am greeted by Omanis cheering and whooping out the back of a car.

Forget sports gels and isotonic drinks…… a race fuelled by raclette, strudel and a litres worth of Swiss wine - its grapes grown right there in the terraced vineyards you’re running through - is just the thing to round of a season of trail running.

It’s been a summer of mostly (work), running, a little climbing and a few trail races. But lately, I’ve been wondering else what I could achieve if I put as much effort into other activities as I do these.

The 65 litre Eagle creek wheeled duffel, can take you from lake to mountain, across cobbled streets and uneven paths,

Part 2 of our feature on trail running in Switzerland's Valais region with tips from the pro's along the way.