Ultimate mountain running experience in the Dolomites

The organizers around OK boss Christian Jocher got in the mood for this year's edition at a press conference on Thursday. After the mountain running feeling was brought into the room with impressive pictures from last year's edition, local councilor Bettina Kerer had to admit: “When you see pictures like this, you are proud to be able to live here in Brixen. I would like to thank the organizers for their commitment and emphasize that they can always turn to us if they need help.” Renate Prader, the president of the local council, also took the same line: “As the community of Brixen, we can count ourselves lucky that we have a running event of this magnitude right on our doorstep. An event that appeals to people all over the world and attracts them to us in the cathedral city.”

734 athletes have already registered for one of the four routes of the Brixen Dolomites Marathon. 34 different nations are represented, including exotic countries such as the Seychelles, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and Australia. “When we always welcome these participants at the start, you really notice how much they enjoy being here. This is something special for both them and us,” reported OC boss Christian Jocher with a sparkle in his eyes. Four routes and lots of spectacle In order to remain attractive in the face of the great competition of running events in the Alpine region, the 12th edition of the Dolomites Marathon is trying to stick to the tried and tested and bring in new elements. Participants are spoiled for choice; the hardest route is the Dolomites Ultra Trail (84 kilometers/4.728 meters in altitude). An ultra race for the brave or crazy, which must be completed as a pair run. “This not only has to do with the safety aspect, it is also more special because you have to run not only for yourself, but also with your partner; you have to work as a team,” said South Tyrolean running guru Jocher. The finisher medals consist of two parts so that a pair of runners can put them together like a puzzle at the finish.

It is not impossible that Jocher himself, one of the best mountain and marathon runners in South Tyrol, will appear at the start in running shoes. But then on to the supreme discipline, the actual Brixen Dolomites Marathon over 42 kilometers and 2.450 meters in altitude. The heart of the running event starts from Brixen Cathedral Square and leads up to the local mountain, the Plose. “It all started with the marathon 12 years ago, this is the race that made us internationally known and enjoys the most attention,” Jocher looks back. The course record is held by a South Tyrolean, Hannes Rungger from Sarn, with an amazing time of 3:22 hours. In addition to the individual competition, there is also a 2x2 and a 4x4 relay in which teams, clubs or companies can split up the sections.

It starts at Domplatz in Brixen at 8.00 a.m

The organizers also have two shorter distances in the racing program that lead through the neighboring valleys. In 2019, the Dolomites Ladinia Trail (29 kilometers/1.852 meters in altitude) was introduced, which is classified in the “trail” category and will therefore demand a lot from even hardened mountain runners. It goes from St. Martin in Thurn across the Val Badia to the finish on the Plose. It is the route that is most embedded in nature and contains barely a meter of asphalt. Alternative route in the Funes Valley After the test last year, the Funes Dolomites Run is back on the program. With 22 kilometers of running, mainly downhill (385 meters in altitude), the run offers all beginners and runners who are not well prepared an alternative to the harder route profiles. It is a fun run for everyone who wants to take part in an event and overcome a manageable challenge. “For us it is the run with the greatest growth potential, the trend in the running scene is in this direction,” says the OC boss. “Anyone who complains about sore muscles at the finish because of running downhill simply needs to train more!”

Breathtaking panorama in Funes.

Peter Pernthaler, the mayor of the idyllic valley below the Geisler peaks, is happy about the second edition of the Funes Dolomites Run: “At first we were a bit skeptical as to whether additional marketing of our area really needed, as we have enough photo tourists. The Dolomites Marathon is a fantastic running event in a unique setting. It is an event with a future, we are proud to be there and are looking forward to the run. As a result of the event, a running group of 20 people was created in the valley, which has since met regularly to run together and will also take part in the race.” Just For Fun pleasure run There is also a “Just For Fun” category in this year’s event, a panoramic run in which there is no scoring and no medical certificate is required for participation. “We introduced this run so that all newcomers without much running experience in the mountains can still run and be provided with food.” Registrations are still open and there are still a few places left.

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Ultimate mountain running experience in the Dolomites

84, 42, 29 or 22 kilometers over hill and dale in the enchanting mountain panorama. The Dolomites Marathon will take place in Brixen for the 12th time on July 2nd, including the new route in Val Badia and a Just For Fun run.

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