Nick Danielson ©

Kilian Jornet

Nominated for the 21st Century Adventurer Award 2026

Mountain runner & Eco social activist

For over a decade, ultra-mountain runner and ski mountaineer Kilian Jornet has been pushing the boundaries of what is possible, both athletically and socially. The multiple world champion in ski mountaineering skied 23,486 meters of elevation gain in a record-setting 24 hours. He has won major ultra-trail races, including the UTMB, Hardrock 100, and Western States. He also climbed all 82 four-thousand-meter peaks in the Alps in just 19 days.

However, the high-achieving athlete is also actively committed to protecting the mountain environment. Through the Kilian Jornet Foundation, he supports research projects and environmental education initiatives. Jornet is also the co-founder of NNormal, a sustainable sportswear brand committed to fair and environmentally friendly production practices.

Now, I use my path as an athlete, entrepreneur, and activist to lead change for the mountains I belong to.

Kilian Jornet

"Now, I use my path as an athlete, entrepreneur, and activist to lead change for the mountains I belong to." This is how Kilian Jornet describes his ambition. The world-renowned ultra-mountain runner, ski mountaineer, and extreme athlete has been at the top of his disciplines for years. With tireless ambition and innovative training methods, he has repeatedly pushed the boundaries of what is possible and is considered one of the most inspiring personalities in mountain sports.

His athletic career began at a young age and has been marked by numerous impressive achievements. He celebrated his first major victory in 2011 at the Western States 100 Endurance Run. In 2025, he returned and beat his previous best time by 80 minutes—despite extreme heat, demonstrating his physical and mental strength.

He transparently documents his training preparations: in Norway, for example, he experimented with heat acclimatization training and indoor sessions to optimize his preparation for the conditions in California. He considers physical and mental aspects as well as epigenetic factors and age-related changes in performance. His ongoing development of training methods exemplifies his holistic approach to the sport.

Training is my everyday life, my way of life. I could live without competitions. But not without daily training.

Kilian Jornet

Photo: © Julien Raison

In addition to his extraordinary athletic career, Kilian Jornet has made a name for himself as an entrepreneur and environmental activist. His commitment to protecting the mountains runs deep, as he spent much of his childhood there.

Through the Kilian Jornet Foundation, he strives to preserve sensitive mountain ecosystems by promoting scientific projects, conservation measures, and educational programs in sustainability. The foundation collaborates with local communities and experts to bolster the resilience of nature in the Alps, the Pyrenees, and other vulnerable mountain regions.

In 2022, he founded NNormal, a sustainable sportswear brand that emphasizes durable materials, fair production, and transparent supply chains. The goal is to make mountain sports more environmentally friendly and inspire conscious consumers.

Photo: © Nick Danielson

I have spent my entire life climbing mountains and crossing glaciers, and I have witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of climate change.

Kilian Jornet

Kilian Jornet also uses his public platform to promote social issues. In March 2025, he published a call to action outlining specific ways in which male athletes and industry players can work toward greater equality in mountain and outdoor sports. In doing so, he is sending a clear message about diversity, inclusion, and sustainable development in sport.

Through all his initiatives, sporting achievements, and commitment to nature and society, Kilian Jornet embodies the modern mountain advocate—someone who fights passionately for the mountains, protects them, and inspires people to treat our environment with care.

Use of the 21st Century Adventurer Award prize money

Kilian Jornet wants to invest the prize money in the mountain protection projects of the Kilian Jornet Foundation.

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