Online retailer SportsShoes has officially launched a new women’s trail and mountain running team for the 2026 season. Known as the SportsShoes Pro Alpine Trail Team (P.A.T.T), the squad brings together seven athletes from across Europe with a focus on mentorship and performance.
The team is composed of athletes at various stages of their careers, ranging from 19 to 41 years old. The roster includes former European Mountain Running Champion Emmie Collinge, 37, from the UK, who serves as the Team Manager and Mentor.
The team also features fellow Brit Amelie Lane, 19; Elisa Sortini, 41, from Italy; Vanessa Caba, 34, from Spain; Natalina Neuenschwander, 29, from Switzerland; Madlen Kappeler, 28, from Germany; and Lucie Meyer, 28, from France.
According to SportsShoes, the initiative aims to challenge the narrative that trail running must focus on ultra-distances. Instead, the athletes will promote shorter trail formats, such as sub-hour and technical races, as competitive expressions of the sport.
Emmie Collinge, Team Manager and Mentor at SportsShoes P.A.T.T, said “Our goal isn’t just performing for one season but finding ways to develop resilience for the long game. Mentorship and shared experience are still largely missing in women’s endurance sports.
“My dream is to create a space with buoyancy where athletes can lean into their teammates and never be afraid to ask questions. Now I’m 37, I feel this is something I missed out on.”
Throughout the 2026 season, the team will compete at major events on the international calendar, including Transgrancanaria, UTMB World Series races across Europe, and the Golden Trail Series.
SportsShoes is providing year-round kit, travel, and mentorship support. The team also receives backing from several international trail brands, such as ASICS, HOKA, Salomon, The North Face, Merrell, Silva, SunGod, and Suunto.
Ben Mounsey, Marketing Lead for Trail and Outdoor at SportsShoes, said “Women’s trail running deserves greater recognition, greater opportunity and greater investment – and we’re committed to helping drive that change. The launch of our all-women’s elite trail running team is a meaningful step forward.
“As a retailer working closely with the world’s leading running brands, we’re uniquely positioned to use our knowledge, expertise and influence to give something back – not just to the athletes, but to the sport as a whole.”
SportsShoes is a UK-based online retailer specialising in running, outdoor, and fitness footwear and apparel. The P.A.T.T squad will begin its racing programme this month at various European trail and mountain events.
