This summer, Salomon unveiled the limited edition Golden Trail Series (GTS) product range, which celebrates the worldwide trail running series that the brand launched three years ago to gather the most elite athletes of the sport and stage the most competitive races. Sadly, like many of the world’s sporting events over the last several months, a number of those GTS races have been postponed or cancelled due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, Salomon is using the new range of GTS products to help individuals affected by the pandemic by donating 50 percent of the profits from this new limited-edition Golden Trail Series running footwear, apparel and gear to a COVID-19 emergency appeal operated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). “We have all felt the effects of this global pandemic, and the ICRC is a trusted international humanitarian organization with localized resources that allow them to reach people that need help,” said Bruno Laroque, Head of Sports Marketing and Community Management for Salomon. “The Golden Trail Series brings together international athletes from different cultures, and the launch of this great looking limited-edition product range is the perfect opportunity to lend a hand to an organization that is making a global impact in people’s day-to-day lives during these difficult times.”
The ICRC helps people around the world affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence. The organization’s COVID-19 efforts are focused on delivering humanitarian aid in the form of medical supplies and equipment, as well as financial support and staff training during the global pandemic.
“Warfare has not stopped because of COVID-19 and our work protecting and assisting victims of conflict won’t stop neither,” said Adib Nahas, Head of Resource Mobilization Division at the ICRC. “We are very thankful to have the support of Salomon in these difficult times to help counter the effects of COVID-19 in the most vulnerable communities affected by war and violence.”
GOLDEN TRAIL SERIES LIMITED-EDITION FOOTWEAR, APPAREL AND GEAR
The limited-edition Golden Trail Series footwear, apparel and gear feature several of the brand’s most popular pieces of footwear, apparel and gear in a unique black, gold and white colorway that has never been offered on any of these Salomon running products. The GTS silhouette can be found at Salomon brand stores and premium retail partner stores in 20 countries, as well as online at Salomon.com.
The hero of the range is the Sense Ride 3, the newest version of the highly popular Sense Ride trail running shoe. An everyday trail running shoe from the leader in the sport, the shoe draws on road running standards to provide overall comfort and soft cushioning. The limited-edition Golden Trail Series Sense Ride 3 is available in both men’s and women’s models with slight color differences. In addition to the sense Ride 3, the limited edition GTS range includes the Advanced Skin 5 running vest, the Sense 37.5 Tee shirt, the comfortable Sense Short for men and women, the lightweight and breathable Air Logo Cap and the Sense Support Sock.
CROWNING THE 2020 GOLDEN TRAIL CHAMPIONS
In May, in an effort to save the season, the GTWS announced tentative plans for an altered 2020 race format provided that the COVID-19 virus has stopped expanding and that governments authorize trail running races by September and authorize international travel by October.
The new plan calls for a meeting of the top trail runners in the world at one single four-day competition in late October to crown the male and female Golden Trail Champions of 2020. The 2020 Championship of the Golden Trail World Series will be organized by Azores Trail Run®️ and will take place on Faial and Pico islands in the Azores from the 29 October 2020 – 1 November 2020. It will be a four-day stage race:
- STAGE 1 - 26KM with 1,069 meters of vertical gain and 1,098 meters of descent
- STAGE 2 - 32KM with 1,343 meters of vertical gain and 1,310 meters of descent
- STAGE 3 - 32KM with 2,363 meters of vertical gain and 1,137 meters of descent
- STAGE 4 - 36KM with 1,453 meters of vertical gain and 1,518 meters of descent
At the end of the four-day competition, an overall ranking will be established and the Golden Trail Champions will be the male and female with the lowest cumulated time across all of the stages.
GOLDEN TICKETS
Runners will be able to win golden tickets to the Championship of the Golden Trail World Series in more than 20 countries. The number of golden tickets, as well as the terms and conditions for obtaining them, will be announced later in June. The golden tickets will give the runners a full invitation with flights, accommodation and meals. However, anyone can participate and compete for the Golden Trail Series Championship title in the Azores if they would like to attend on their own.
