Soltn mountain half marathon: Duel Abate - Rungger is looming

“It was unique here in the middle of the larch meadows and the Haflinger horses,” said mountain running ace Gabriele Abate after his victory last year. No wonder that the 34-year-old Piedmontese is at the start again. Last year he won after an exciting race by 42 seconds ahead of Hannes Rungger. There is also a duel between Gabriele Abate and Hannes Rungger for victory at the 13th edition of the Soltn mountain half marathon. Can Hannes Rungger become the sole record holder with his third triumph or can defending champion Abate catch up with Rungger as well as world champions Jonathan Wyatt and Antonio Molinari?

Abate is of course the favorite. In 2005 he was runner-up in the world championships and in 2011 he was runner-up in Europe. He also won team gold nine (!) times at world and European championships. This year, however, things aren't going so smoothly for Abate. Last year he won 18 of his 36 races. This year he has only achieved six wins. With Rungger you have to see how he coped with the Jungfrau marathon a week ago. Hermann Achmüller is certainly one of the strongest runners at the start. There is still a question mark over the entry of Emanuele Manzi, the 2009 winner.

For the women, the organizers from ASV Jenesien Soltnflitzer are looking forward to the three-time winner and course record holder Antonella Confortola. The Olympic medalist in cross-country skiing is the big favorite on the 21,1 km long route that starts at the Jenesien sports field. Behind her, Edeltraud Thaler wants to extend her lead in the top 7 overall standings ahead of Petra Pircher. Mirella Bergamo from Trentino is also one of the favorites.

The organizers can already look forward to a new record number of participants. “In the end there will probably be at least 350,” said OK boss Sepp Rungaldier. Interest in the two-man relays has also increased. Instead of 29 like last year, there will be at least 40 at the start. The previous participant record is 313 (2012).

The start takes place at the Jenesien sports field at 1226 m above sea level. From there the route leads to the highest point near the Langfenn church (1527 m) and along a different route back to the starting point. A total of 520 meters of altitude have to be overcome on mostly forestry and hiking trails. If 21.1 km is too long for you, you can share the route with a partner. The change takes place after 10.6 km in Langfenn. The Soltn mountain half marathon is an atypical half marathon. There are a lot of changes in tempo because of the ups and downs. The mileage times vary between 3 and 8 minutes. Whoever adapts best to this in the individual race will be rewarded with a winner's check of 500 euros at the finish.

The event surrounding the Soltn mountain half marathon begins on Saturday at 14.30 p.m. with the cycling race from Bolzano to Jenesien (start at the valley station of the Jenesenier cable car, approx. 10 km, 900 m).

Honor Roll Soltn Mountain Half Marathon:

2012: Gabriele Abate 1:13:59 and Renate Rungger 1:29:49 2011: Hannes Rungger 1:15:04 and Edeltraud Thaler 1:34:09 2010: Gerd Frick 1:16:27 and Francesca Iachemet 1:32:34 2009: Emanuele Manzi 1:14:36 and Francesca Iachemet 1:32:10 2008: Hannes Rungger 1:14:42 and Renate Rungger 1:24:00 2007: Jonathan Wyatt 1:12:52 and Pierangela Baronchelli 1:27:51 2006: Jonathan Wyatt 1:12:30 and Antonella Confortola 1:27:10 2005: Elisha Sawe 1:10:55 and Antonella Confortola 1:27:41 2004: Antonio Molinari 1:13:56 and Irene Senfter 1:34:33 2003: Marco Gaiardo 1:11:44 and Antonella Confortola 1:22:19 2002: Antonio Molinari 1:12:04 and Sylvia Alber 1:37:22 2001: Lucio Fregona 1:13:36 and Waltraud Untersteiner 1:45:11

The top 7 interim ranking after 5 of 7 runs:

Men: 1. Hannes Rungger (4 races) 1465 points; 2. Rudi Brunner (5) 1443; 3. Patrick Oberlechner 1240 Women: 1. Edeltraud Thaler (5) 1640; 2. Petra Pircher (5) 1553; 3. Andrea Schweigkofler (5) 1480

The other top 7 dates in 2013: September 22nd: 13th Soltn mountain half marathon (organizer: SV Jenesien Soltnflitzer; OC boss: Sepp Runggaldier) October 27th: 20th Half Marathon of the Three Municipalities (Organizer: SV Branzoll; OC Chief: Andrea Isoppo)

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Soltn mountain half marathon: Duel Abate - Rungger is looming

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