Every year, we organize Pieniny Ultra-Trail® with increasing environmental awareness. In 2023, we decided to systematize our ongoing efforts and implement new solutions that allow us to more effectively protect not only our beautiful mountains, but above all the natural environment of the planet we are part of. As part of these efforts, we joined the ITRA Green Program.
We want the event we create to be a great place for meeting, competition, and achieving personal goals — but we also want it to happen with genuine respect for the natural environment in which we have the privilege to live.
We know that the more our lives are immersed in a technology-driven, urban-industrial culture, the more we need contact with nature to maintain balance and stay healthy. The more space we give to nature, the better it is for all of us.
That is why, in 2023, we launched the Forest Worth a Medal initiative. Our goal is to make more room for nature by increasing the number of trees and forested areas.
Oh, what a forest this will be!
What actions do we take as part of the initiative?
Starting from the 2023 edition, during race registration you can decide whether you want to receive a traditional finisher medal or a “tree medal” at the finish line.
We know that for many of you, a finisher medal is a unique and meaningful keepsake — and that’s great. We also know that some of you have already built up quite an impressive medal collection and feel you have enough for now — and that’s great too.
What can you do as part of the initiative?
- Take your tree medal home. Plant it wherever you like and let it forever remind you of your incredible adventure in the Pieniny Mountains.
- Plant your tree in the mountains. Donate your tree to us — together with representatives of the Krościenko Forest District, we will take the trees and plant them in the mountains. Let them grow strong and healthy!
In the 2023 and 2024 editions, all winners of Pieniny Ultra-Trail® in the open and age categories, as well as all winners of Mini Pieniny Ultra-Trail®, received a commemorative “tree medal” as part of their trophies.
In 2023, the “tree medal” was a European silver fir (Abies alba).
As part of the initiative, we distributed 355 tree medals, and 10 trees were planted in the mountains.
In 2024, the “tree medal” was a European silver fir (Abies alba).
As part of the initiative, 692 people chose the tree medal.
In 2025, as part of the initiative, 884 people chose the tree medal.
For the first time in the 2025 edition, we introduced the option to leave the tree medal for collective planting in the mountains. As many as 150 participants chose this option. On May 15, together with representatives of the Czarna Woda and Stare Forest Districts, we went to the area near Żłobki Pass so that our “Forest Worth a Medal” could take root on the slopes of Radziejowa — the highest peak of the Beskid Sądecki range. 🌲
Thanks to the support of the Krościenko Forest District, which has been supporting us since the very first edition of the initiative, we are able to pursue our dreams and goals for the environment and the restoration of forested areas in our beautiful mountains.