OUR ROCK'N ROLL BAND
Since 2016, our team, united under the Association Dénivelé Positif (positive elevation gain), has been organizing the various courses of the Montreux Trail Festival and Crossing Switzerland.
The event was born from a meeting between two passionate trail runners: on one side, Diego Pazos — one of the top ultra-trail athletes of his generation, with victories on the 90k Mont-Blanc and the Eiger Trail. But it’s his performances at the Diagonale des Fous and the UTMB that truly left a mark, not to mention his signature bow tie, which he only removes to sleep — and even then, not always. In recent years, he’s also been deeply involved in the “École de Trail” method, which promotes a more balanced approach to the sport.
On the other side, Cédric Agassis represents the grassroots spirit of trail running, with his first ultra-trail experience dating back to 2006 on the UTMB — a time when you could still sign up just a few weeks before the race, on a whim. A different era (ok boomer!). Cédric is also the founder of the Humani’Trail, a race that since 2013 has donated registration fees to fund educational projects in Nepal.
Another key figure is Michaela Senft, known as “Madame 100,000 Volts.” If you don’t see her during the event, that’s perfectly normal — she’s probably to the right, to the left, in the center… or all three at once. Not only is she the queen of aid stations, she’s also a formidable trail runner herself — didn’t she beat all the men to win the Montane Lapland Arctic Ultra over 185 km?
And because every respectable organization needs a “Flying Dutchman,” Paul Van der Linden plays the role of our conductor, with his mastery of 18 languages (possibly 19 if you ask nicely) and his expertise in the digital and tech world.
A dozen people support this “core team” in roles that go far beyond race day. Special thanks to Martina, Sandrine, Charlotte, Fabio, Jean-Noël, Nicolas, Helder, Frank, Elodie, and Thierry, who are already hard at work for the 2026 edition — and to the “alumni”: Manu, Léa, Léna, Charlotte, Dominique, Flo, Joelle, Sylvie, Magali, Nathalie, Olivier, and Hugo, never far when a helping hand — or more — is needed.
This event is also made possible thanks to the support of Julien Chevalley, Sports Delegate of the Commune of Montreux, and the sports commission of Bex, which enables the realization of our two crossings between the Chablais and the Riviera.