Singletrack Hillary Gerardi on Life in Chamonix, Skyrunning, and the Art of Risk in the Mountains
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Aug 27, 2025 Hillary Gerardi, a skyrunner and alpinist based in Chamonix, shares her thrilling journey of racing and risks in the mountains. She discusses her record-setting feat on Mont Blanc and the cultural contrasts between skyrunning in Europe and America. Hillary dives into her experiences navigating visa challenges in France and the emotional growth that ensued. The conversation reflects on community building through running, the intricate connection to Chamonix's history, and how athletes can advocate for societal change while enjoying nature's beauty.
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Always Say Bonjour On Trails
- Always greet people on French trails; not saying bonjour is considered rude.
- Use polite openings in stores and interactions to respect local customs.
Respect For Shorter Mountain Races
- Europe values shorter mountain race distances and club-based mountain running as distinct disciplines.
- Excelling at a 25K is as legitimate as a 100-mile race; they require different training and identities.
Visa Renewals Forced Reflection
- Hillary lived with annual visa renewals for ten years, forcing yearly reassessments of whether to stay in France.
- That process made their residency an active choice rather than default inertia.
