How I Run Mountains – Without Letting the Hills Beat Me

Are you a runner who dreads those steep hills when travelling? Imagine running in the mountains, your legs on fire, lungs gasping for the thin air—and then finding out you don’t have to climb all those hills after all. Intrigued? That’s exactly what I discovered on my journey, and it’s a game-changer for any travelling runner.

Hi, I’m Kevin, aka the Runpreneur, and if you’ve ever faced severe elevation gain on your runs while away from home, this post is especially for you. Today, I’m sharing not just my life-saving hack for tackling hilly terrains, but how every mile I run is part of my bigger mission—to raise £1,000,000 for children’s charities by running 40,075km, the distance of a full lap around the world.

Why Does Elevation Matter So Much?

As someone running daily (yes, you read that right—every single day, closing in on 1,728 days without fail!), my world-travel streak often lands me in places far hillier than my flat home in Cambridgeshire, England. Back there, many of my 7.5 km runs barely climb 4 metres. Contrast that with my latest challenge: running at 1,560 metres altitude in the mountains of Andorra, battling 178 metres of vertical gain over the same distance. Ouch!

For runners used to flatter grounds, suddenly facing these mountainous runs can be physically brutal and mentally daunting. High altitude means thinner air, your legs tire quicker, and your heart literally feels like it’s pounding out extra work with every step. But there’s a hack—and I promise, it works.

The Little-Known Hack That Makes Elevation Gain Manageable

Here’s the secret: Instead of running straight out and back along the steepest main route, I scout out all the little side roads and turn-offs along the way using apps like Footpath and Strava. The trick? As I pass each side route, I dart up and down the flatter ones, adding distance but not elevation.

I know it sounds simple—but the difference is incredible. On my recent runs, my first mountain route clocked a lung-busting 222 metres of elevation over 7.5km. But, by zigzagging onto the smaller, often flatter side routes, I chopped that down to just 178 metres—with my legs thanking me the whole way. That’s a saving of 44 metres in just one run!

This method is a massive win for anyone not used to relentless uphill slogs. It’s all about being clever, flexible, and never letting the landscape dictate your limits.

How to Plan Flatter Routes Anywhere

• Use Route Planning Apps: Start with Footpath or Strava to map out your options and read elevation data before you set off.

• Hunt for Side Roads: On your route, keep an eye out for all possible turn-offs—these often hold flatter paths.

• Adjust on the Fly: If a side road seems runnable and safe, include it in your loop rather than committing to one huge climb.

• Safety First: Avoid venturing off-trail into remote wilderness unless you’re experienced and have told someone your plans.

Why This Matters – Beyond Running

But here’s the bigger picture: Every run, every hack, every mile is part of a much larger journey—the Runpreneur Challenge. My mission is to run a full lap around the world (that’s 40,075km!) over more than 4,292 consecutive days. And it’s all to raise £1,000,000 for children’s causes in need of life-changing support.

It’s not just about the run—it’s about making the world a little lighter for kids who are climbing their own mountains every day.

What Can YOU Do?

Are you struggling with elevation in your runs? Drop your questions below—I respond to everyone!

Want to support the cause? Every like, share, donation, and bit of visibility helps us get nearer our £1,000,000 goal for children’s charities.

Got your own elevation hacks? Join the community—let’s make running (and life!) better together.

Stay Positive, Stay Happy, and I’ll See You on the Next Run

Remember: whether you’re running in the mountains or along the flattest trail, there’s always a way to hack your limits. And together, we can keep going—one step, one day, one child’s life at a time.