Martin Hackhofer is a South Tyrolean hope. © Newspower.it

A mountain running highlight is coming up.

Mountain running is ready to take center stage again – with one of the most anticipated events in the scene: the South Tyrol Three Peaks Alpine Run. The iconic South Tyrolean race takes place on Saturday, September 12th, and welcomes hundreds of trail runners from Italy and around the world for its 29th edition.

September 09, 2026

From: pm/det

The 17,9 km long route with 1.354 meters of elevation gain of the South Tyrol Three Peaks Alpine Run boasts a top-class field of participants, which traditionally promises an exciting battle for the top spots until the final climb.

Elija Kamau Kariuki is expected to start in Sexten, the man to beat after securing the first Kenyan victory in the race's history last year. The 1999-born runner from Team Run2gether On Trail has been in excellent form this year, achieving several podium finishes in the Mountain Running World Cup. He is therefore among the top favorites again this year.

However, the competition is fiercer than it has been in years. Leading the pack are the Italian runners Tiziano Moia, who aims to improve on his second-place finish from last year, and Alberto Vender, who came second in 2020. Also in the mix are Filippo Barizza, the 2024 winner, and the Lombardy champion Davide Bottarelli.

Local favorites should also be included.

Also taking part are European champion Lorenzo Cagnati and Samuel Demetz, two well-known figures in the trail running scene. Demetz won the first edition of the Three Peaks Winter Night Run.

Local hero Martin Hackhofer will of course be there. Also participating are David Reichl, runner-up in 2024, brothers Emanuele and Maximilian Franceschini, and Austrians Wendelin Mörtendorfer, Daniel Peer, and Hans-Peter Innerhofer.

Along the green Fischlein valley and past the most impressive mountain huts up to 2.405 meters above sea level to the Rifugio Locatelli, the young Italian runner Anna Hofer, born in 2005, will also start.

An impressive panorama awaits. © Newspower.it

Also participating are four-time Italian SUP champion Caterina Stenta, South Tyrolean cross-country skier Julia Kuen, and Severine Petersen, who finished third last year behind Agnes Tschurtschenthaler. Tschurtschenthaler is a true regular at this race, whose history she herself helped shape.

Local favorite Lena Zingerle, winner of the Three Peaks Winter Night Run, as well as Katia Plazzotta and Arianna Del Pino, will also be taking on the challenge. Special attention will also be paid to Kenyans Gloria Chebet and Miriam Chepkirui. As usual, these two "gazelles" will cause a sensation on the climbs of the demanding and adrenaline-fueled course of the South Tyrol Three Peaks Alpine Run.

The 2026 edition will also welcome its "loyal" participants – those runners who have not missed a single event in the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, since the first edition in 1998. These include Filippo Barizza, Adriano Grion, Robert Amhof, Markus Innerbichler, Georg Trenker, and Giuseppe Ventura.

The organizing committee of the ALV Sextner Dolomiten, headed by President Alfred Prenn, is currently working on the final details, particularly the signage along the route. Runners, companions, volunteers, and fans are ready to experience another unforgettable edition of the South Tyrol Three Peaks Alpine Run.