Alba di Canazei (Italy), Sunday 21 August 2011

With an average gradient of almost 50 per cent, this Vertical Kilometer Race in the Dolomites features the shortest and steepest route of all mountain running events in our Race Guide. The course is just 2,100 metres long but it includes 1,000 metres of elevation gain!

The start is in the hamlet of Alba (1,465m) which forms part of the ski resort of Canazei. Situated at the top end of the Val di Fassa, Canazei is surrounded by spectacular mountains and rock formations.

Participants run (or better, walk) through forests and open grassland to the dark volcanic rocks of Crepa Neigra. The finish line is at an elevation of 2,465 metres.

Many competitors find it helpful to use trekking poles. Participants must carry a windbreaker jacket with them as there is no transport of personal clothing from the start to the finish area.

In 2010, the event hosted the first "Vertical Kilometer Skyrunning World Championships". The winners were Urban Zemmer (33:16) and Laetitia Roux (40:16).

Map of the venue:

Race information:

Country: Italy

Province: Trentino

Venue: Alba di Canazei (52km from Bolzano, 143km from Innsbruck, 195km from Venezia)

Date: 21 August 2011 (Sunday)

Start: at 10.30 at località Ciasates in Alba di Canazei (1,465m)

Finish: Crepa Neigra (2,465m)

Race distance: 2.1km (+1,000m)

Entries: on the day at the start (from 8.00); entrants may have to provide a medical certificate at registration

Entry fees: 25 euros

You get: race pack, lunch after the race

Prizes: (?)

Award ceremony: at 13.30

Number of finishers 2010: 171 (143 men, 28 women)

Event website (in Italian and English): www.dolomiteskyrace.com/i_vertical.html (out of date)

No guarantee is made as to the accuracy or thoroughness of the information on this page.