Organized in the heart of the Grands Causses Regional Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Trail de La Cité de Pierres has made sustainability the cornerstone of its identity. The event deploys a comprehensive, minimalist environmental strategy that extends from runners' plates to trail governance. This format, which aims for exemplary status and reproducibility, is a nominee in the Environmental Initiative of the Year category at the Trail Running Awards.
The diagnosis: The imperative of restraint in a protected environment
The race takes place in a fragile, remote natural environment where the impact of any gathering must be strictly managed. The organization has made radical decisions that are now embraced by the community: the race is held without medals, without plastic bottles, and without unnecessary textile giveaways.
This restraint is the DNA of the Trail de La Cité de Pierres. The team's goal is to measure and control its carbon footprint, a commitment made visible through collaboration and route validation with the Grands Causses Regional Natural Park and the French League for the Protection of Birds (LPO).
Logistical innovation: From farm to zero waste
The eco-designed setup of the Trail de La Cité de Pierres is systemic and stands out through precise operational choices:
1. Responsible food management
100% Organic and Local Aid Stations: All products consumed (at aid stations and for volunteer and runner meals) are organically farmed.
Anti-waste: The "Ugly Vegetable Soup" concept (made from unsold produce from Biocoop) and the systematic donation of leftovers to the local mutual aid association A Tous Cœurs ensure food waste is reduced to zero.
2. Material restraint
Zero Plastic: The event has banned all single-use plastic bottles and tableware. Water stations are directly connected to the potable water network, and cola/lemonade is supplied in local organic kegs. Every runner must use their own reusable container.
Sustainable equipment: Course marking is made from 100% reusable neon orange fabric tape (in collaboration with the Millau FabLab), replacing traditional plastic flagging tape.
3. Resource sharing and waste management
This logistical rigor is paying off. Sharing equipment with local partner races reduces the carbon footprint and costs. Waste management is tightly controlled, with strict sorting reducing the volume of non-recyclable waste to just a few bags per edition.
Territorial, social, and inclusive roots
The Trail de La Cité de Pierres goes beyond environmental dimensions to showcase its region and community:
Local roots: 75% of purchases and services are sourced from entities in the Aveyron department. Runner rewards are manufactured locally.
Social innovation: The "Runner and Volunteer" policy allows participants to run for free on Sunday if they volunteer on Saturday (or vice versa), encouraging community engagement.
Inclusion: The event features free children's races (promoting good practices) and is opening up to joëlettes (all-terrain adapted chairs) starting in 2026, advancing accessibility for people with disabilities.
Support: The organization annually supports the Sentier association (trail maintenance) and donates to Action Against Hunger and the Trail School (for youths).
This minimalist and rustic format, widely praised by runners for its values, is a reproducible model of authentic trail running in harmony with its region.
