WWF Adria is proud to present a new collaboration with Utalaya – Foundation of world renowned alpinist and trail runner Uta Ibrahim, who will lead a four-day marathon through Sharri National Park, promoting the natural heritage of the mountains, but also pointing out the threats its natural resources are facing.
 
Utas journey will begin on August 19, and for four consecutive days will take place in the Sharr Mountains, where the team of Utalaya Foundation, together with the cameramen and video production team, will gather video footage that show the natural blessings in Kosovo.
 
In addition to the video campaign and the running event, Utalaya in cooperation with the UN Kosovo Team has launched a social media awareness campaign, aiming to reach a wider audience and inspiring them to report illegal activities in protected areas, to contribute by environment-friendly activities, use natural resources responsibly and become part of the marathon as an expression of support for the emergency of preserving National Parks
 
"It is a pleasure and honor for us as a foundation, to be supported for an important project such as Run for Sharr, as well as to cooperate with one of the most active organizations in nature protection- WWF, active all over the world. We will do our best for this campaign to create the desired buzz and gather decision makers but also local people, to join forces in terms of raising awareness and capacity to protect our greatest asset Sharri National Park ", says Tuba Safçiu, Project Manager at Utalaya Foundation
 
Individuals, public figures and influential people of our society, as well as environmentalists will run and camp at certain points, showing how nature can be used for recreational activities without leaving a trace and without damaging it, and what more can be done for nature conservation, inspiring the public.
 
The campaing is implemented within WWF's project "Protected Areas for Nature and People", which promotes the importance of protected areas in Western Balkan countries, and through collaboration with various stakeholders aims to achieve efficient and financially sustainable management of protected areas.  
 
Uta's international popularity will contribute to promoting Balkan's protected areas and their rich biodiversity. In 2017 she became the first Albanian woman to summit Everest (8848m) the highest peak on earth. Since the, she also climbed Manasulu (8,163m), Cho-Oyu (8201m), Lhotse (8516m), Gasherburum (8080m), which officaly made her the first woman from the Balkans to summit 5X8000 meter peaks.

Follow the campaing and Uta's future adventures on our social media channels: 

Facebook: WWF Adria
                    Utalaya    
Instagram: WWF Adria 
                    Run for Sharr