For its 4th edition, the Challenge Trail Nature 06 will feature 11 sports and nature events from the sea to the mountains between February 13 and October 23, offering 17 races.
New for 2011: This year, a new category of events has been created, the “Discovery Trail”. There are 8 dates for this new discipline, which allows participants to get introduced to Trail running through short distances ranging from 10 to 20 kilometers.
The first event, “the Snow Trail” over 11 kilometers, took place on February 13 in the exceptional and preserved setting of the Castérino resort. From the balconies of the Mediterranean to the volcanic rocks of Estérel, passing through the Baou de Saint-Jeannet, the middle country with the Paillon Valley, the Audibergue plateau and the Mentonnais, the high country with the Gordolasque and Roya Valleys up to the snowy slopes of Castérino.
This 4th edition of the Challenge Trail Nature 06, organized in partnership with the departmental commission of off-stage races (CDCHS), offers sporting routes in exceptional natural sites in our department in a spirit of respect and promotion of this environment.
2011 event schedule:
Event Date Trail race +42 km Nature race 21-41 km Discovery race 10-20 km Snow Trail – Castérino Feb-13 11 km Balcons d’Azur Trail – Mandelieu Apr-24 52 km 33 km 18 km L’Escarenoise – l’Escarène May-08 32 km 19 km Neandertrail – Cap d’Ail Jun-25 night 56 km La Colmiane Trail Jun-26 22 km Monts d’Azur Trail – Séranon Jul-14 18 km Aspremont Trail Jul-30 25 km Alpes-Maritimes Trail – Menton Sep-18 53 km 29 km 17 km Night Trail of the Vertical Days – La Colmiane Oct-01 night 11 km Gorbio Trail – Gorbio Oct-09 42 km 18 km Trail of the Baous – Saint-Jeannet Oct-23 18 km
Sports and Nature activities for everyone.
Free “Nature Walks” dedicated to discovering nature, initiation, and awareness of ecosystems on the official course of the Challenge Trail Nature 06 events. They will be accompanied by agents from the Departmental Natural Parks and facilitators, true professionals of the fauna and flora of our department.
2011 themes: Castérino (Sunday, February 13) “Animal Tracks” Mandelieu – La Napoule (Sunday, April 24) “Sea Wrack” L’Escarène (Sunday, May 8) “Landscape Reading and Orientation” La Colmiane (Sunday, June 26) “Mountain Birds” Menton (Sunday, September 18) “Prehistoric Spear Construction” Gorbio (Sunday, October 9) “Cliff Birds” Saint-Jeannet (Sunday, October 23) “Cliff Birds”.
The environment at the heart of the stakes
For the 2011 season, the Challenge Trail Nature 06 has received, for the second year, the “sport and sustainable development” label from the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF). This label attests to the exemplariness of the approach concerning the “Agenda 21 of French sport” and the “Charter for sustainable development in sport”.
The rules to be followed are formalized in an eco-citizen charter entitled “the trail, my nature…”. Everyone can also sign a fresco “the Tree of my nature”, testifying to their commitment to preserving nature for the charter. In 2008, 1100 signatures were collected, 1500 in 2009, and 3000 in 2010.
A BIO pack is made available to organizers by the County Council during each race, with biodegradable or recyclable elements: 12 km of ribbon, 1000 signage panels, 15000 cups for refreshments with a novelty this year, the use of 3530 reusable cups, 5000 biodegradable race bibs. The total cost of this operation amounts to €10,000.
Finally, the County Council sets up citizen activities at the finish of each event, activities focused on Sustainable Development:
– activities, Nature Walk with agents from the Departmental Natural Parks and specialized facilitators;
– Nature quiz;
– information on selective sorting and waste recycling;
– free loan of electric bikes;
– presence of the “health info bus” with information on nutrition, hydration, and sun prevention;
– information “Less CO2 during your journeys!”, promotion of the departmental bus network at €1 (Lignes d’Azur), and promotion of carpooling (check the County Council carpooling site to organize your trips: [www.equipage06.fr](https://www.equipage06.fr)).
Eco-conditionality becomes an important factor in the intervention of our community in sport.
In 2010, the Challenge evolved towards the general public with “Nature Walks” alongside the sporting events. Some athletes who participated in the challenge in 2010 also took part in the “Nature Walk” and appreciated the approach: the goal being to allow the trailer’s family to also participate in the event. 2011 will be an opportunity to highlight the “Nature Walks”.
The introduction in the Bio Pack of a reusable cup reinforces the measures in favor of a reasonable management of natural resources and the reduction of waste.
The Challenge Trail Nature 06 has two categories: men and women.
The Challenge Trail Nature 06 is open to everyone from 18 years old.
The Challenge will reward the top 5 men and the top 5 women, all categories combined, as well as the top 3 teams.
The award ceremony will take place at the end of the year 2011.
