This episode was recorded live at TrailCon during the panel Sustainability, Stewardship and Climate Action in Trail Running. It brought together four powerful voices from across the outdoor and climate worlds: Gerard Vila (Kilian Jornet Foundation), Rory Fuerst Jr. (Keen Footwear), Kelly Newlon (Real Athlete Diets), and Scott Jurek (ultrarunner + Protect Our Winters). From cleaning up PFAS in global supply chains to stewarding sensitive mountain ecosystems, each guest shared their personal climate “aha” moments and the stakes they see on and off the trail.

We cover:

• The fragility of the mountain ecosystems we run in
• What it means to "clean up" a supply chain
• How trail maintenance can be climate protection
• The links between air quality, wildfire smoke and running
• How to engage politically… without preaching
• Behavior change, imperfect advocacy and community-led action
  

Trail running isn’t separate from climate - it’s part of it. And this conversation offers reminders and roadmaps for how our sport, our industry, and our communities can show up.

Guest Bios

🎙 Gerard Vila is Director of the Kilian Jornet Foundation, working to preserve mountain environments through education, science, and on-the-ground stewardship.

🎙 Rory First Jr. leads R&D and innovation at Keen and has spent decades inside global footwear supply chains.

🎙 Kelly Newlon is a chef, athlete agent, and founder of RAD Boulder (Real Athlete Diets), with extensive experience supporting climate expeditions around the world.

🎙 Scott Jurek is an ultrarunning legend and member of Protect Our Winters’ Athlete Alliance, bringing his decades of environmental advocacy to the trails and the policy table.

Keywords:
trail running, climate action, outdoor community, sustainability, athlete activism, clean air, clean water, wildfire smoke, trail maintenance, ecosystem protection, PFAS, behavior change, endurance sports, climate storytelling, environmental policy, glacier melt, fresh water, supply chain, imperfect advocacy, mountain ecosystems