The overjoyed winners of this year's four-country-race across the Alps are Ettore Girardi and Silvano Fedel from the Italian Trentino. The were able to outdo their winning 2005 performance and keep well ahead of their competitors in the men's category. Also on top of the podium, though in the Masters category, were the German-Austrian team of Thomas Miksch and Christian Stork who clocked in not too far behind the leading men. The invincible Irene Senfter and Annemarie Gross from South Tyrol secured the highest spot on the podium among the ladies, whereas the North Tyrolese Magdalena Schiffer and Markus Friedl dominated the Mixed category. Their terrific race performances raises the athletic benchmark for next year's GORE-TEX™ TRANSALPINE-RUN by a notch or two.
Notwithstanding the leading teams of each category, respect and recognition are in due order for all race participants, irrespective of rankings. Their overwhelming perseverance and camaraderie enlivened the international spirit of the GORE-TEX™ TRANSALPINE-RUN 06. As racers gave their very best across seven imposing mountain ranges, they redefined the boundaries of what is humanely possible.
A fine stretch of weather that lasted most of race week, supported their heroic efforts and afforded mind-blowing mountain vistas all along. These experiences were only topped at day's end by the hospitality in the eight stage towns that welcomed and hosted the racers during this ultra-trail run. Many thanks and congratulations once more to all involved! We'll be back next year with the third GORE-TEX™ TRANSALPINE-RUN (September 1-8, 2007).
The stages of the 2006 GORE-TEX™ TRANSALPINE-RUN touched down in Oberstdorf (D), Steeg (AT), St. Anton (AT), Ischgl (AT), Scuol (CH), Mals (IT), Schlanders (IT) and finally in Latsch (IT).
GORE-TEX™ Transalpine-Run the arguably biggest challenge for runners and mountain athletes. The data say everything: all athletes have to master more than 13.887 altitude and 243 kilometres on varied forest roads, hiking trails and paths in eight days, before they cross the finish line in the sunny Vinschgau in Italy. Day stages from 947 to 2.364 meters elevation gain and between 6 and 42 kilometres distance demand the full strength from the athletes. The course of the GORE-TEX™ Transalpine-Run lead through some of the most beautiful alpine terrains with spectacular mountain panorama through four countries across the Alps. It will start from the first location Oberstdorf to Steeg in the Lechtal. The course continues to St. Anton at Arlberg, Ischgl in the Paznauntal, Scuol in the Unterengadin, Mals and Schlanders in the Vinschgau up to Latsch in front of the gates of Meran. If the challenge of 150 miles and 46,000 feet of vertical in 8 days seems daunting, it is but still can be done - even by you! Dedicated experts have put together great stages that will get pros and amateurs alike into the flow. Running across the Alps without missing a beat certainly is an accomplishment worth writing home about. Doing it in a team of two seems even more meaningful. Not just to be on the safe side but because sharing the experience is doubling the pleasure. Bonding is a big part of running, isn't it? Whether you're an (ultra) trail runner, an ambitious hiker, or Nordic walker - there are plenty of different race categories to sign up for.
Visit website at: www.transalpine-run.com