Sarentino, 24 May 2023 - Trail running is thriving all over the world. It is therefore not surprising that more and more athletes engage in the fascinating mountain running. Shorter and less demanding distances are ideal to enable newcomers to acquaint themselves with the sport without any problems. For example, the 28-kilometre route of the Südtirol Ultrarace, which celebrates its 10th anniversary from 25 to 27 August.

Since the fifth edition of the Südtirol Ultrarace in 2018, the 28-kilometre course, the  Südtirol Ultrarace 28K, has offered the shortest distance in the renowned trail classic on the horseshoe shaped Hufeisen tour in the Sarntal Alps. Unlike its three "big brothers" - there is a 119-kilometre, a 63-kilometre and a 45-kilometre route - the short trail does not lead across Corno del Renon, but runs from the start at Piazza Walther in Bolzano towards San Genesio.

From the provincial capital, the route climbs steeply on the "Direttissima" up Monzoccolo and Salto. Via its hiking trails and gravel roads, the route leads from Schermoos in the direction of Giogo di Meltina to Alp Möltner Kaser in 1768 metres altitude. The enthusiastic mountain athletes reach the highest point of the route at the Omini di Sasso at exactly 2000 metres altitude, before the start of the 8 kilometres long descent towards the finish line. The route continues past Croce di Pozza to Sarentino, where the runners cross the finish line after 28 kilometres and a total of 1800 metres elevation.


Dominance of the South Tyrolean men and international successes for the women

Looking at the roll of honour of the Südtirol Ultrarace 28K, there is an obvious big difference. While in the women's event three different nations are represented among the four winners, only domestic athletes have so far stood on the podium in the men’s event. This year’s defending champion is a trail runner from Sarentino: Hannes Perkmann won in 2022 in 2:25.04 hours. The record time of the Südtirol Ultrarace 28K still goes back to the premiere of the Sky Trail in 2018, but back then on the old route from Sarentino to Bolzano with significantly fewer metres of ascent, when Thomas Holzmann from San Genesio crossed the finish line after 2:14.22 hours. Incidentally, one year after him, Hans Rudi Brugger, a particularly well-known name, won. Well-known not because of his previous results as a trail runner, but because the athlete from Passiria is the record player of the only professional football club in South Tyrol - FC Südtirol - with 368 appearances.

The women's roll of honour looks quite different. The first edition was won by Mathilde Vinet from France, one year later Anna Gräber from Pusteria set the current course record in 2:36.56 hours. In the last two editions in 2021 and 2022, the winner was Justine Jendro. The German therefore enters the race as defending champion, should she decide to take part in the 28-kilometre course at the end of August.


Registration fees for the Südtirol Ultrarace increase on 1 June

The Südtirol Ultrarace 28K, just like the other three distances of the extreme mountain race along the Hufeisen tour in the Sarntal Alps, is rated as a qualifying race for the Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB). Two (2) ITRA points or eight (8) Mountain points will be awarded to finishers of the 28K course.

Registrations for all four distances at the Sarentino trail event will be open three months before the big showdown at www.ultrarace.it A reduced registration fee is still available until 31 May, after which date the prices increase.