This is the Via Claudia Augusta: one of the most Ancient roads traversing the Alps in existence, used as a trade and military route and constructed by the Romans in the early centuries A.D. It weaves through ancient mining sites, farmland, alpine dwellings, monasteries and castles alike, all which were constructed in part due to the close proximity to this route. It is important to me as a trail runner, mountain lover and Christian, since the path is the intersection of these three.

In early 2020, when the world shut down in the face of a catastrophic pandemic, Michael Gagliardi (aka, Gagz), mapped out turn-by-turn directions for a 76-mile clockwise running route around the perimeter of Philadelphia. His goal for creating it was to provide a safe runnable route for anyone who wants to challenge themselves and experience the city in a whole new way. Gagz ran the 76-mile route on April 25, 2020 in 16:14:44 (see the 1st photo, and activity link: https://www.strava.com/activities/3353655855).