Paluzza (Italy), Sunday 16 June 2013

Skyrace Carnia - downhill from Pal Piccolo to Timau (Copyright © 2013 Hendrik Böttger / runinternational.eu)

 

The Skyrace Carnia draws more than 200 hardy trail runners to the beautiful and spectacular mountains of the Carnia region in the north-east of Italy.

Two loop courses are on offer, approximately 19km and 24km long.

Both routes are extremely demanding but highly rewarding as competitors run up and down two mountains in the Carnic Alps which extend along the Italy-Austria border.

The longer route features about 2000 metres of ascent—and the same of descent! The shorter route is slightly easier (+1600m/-1600m).

This is no reason to panic, however. Runners can take their time to complete the course and enjoy the stunning scenery. The time limit is 6 hours 30 minutes.

There are eight aid stations along the route, and it's allowed to use hiking poles.

As the race takes runners into a high alpine environment all participants must carry a windbreaker jacket with them.

The start/finish area is at an elevation of 900 metres at the cross-country ski area of Laghetti di Timau near the village of Paluzza on the 'Passo di Monte Croce Carnico' (German: Plöckenpass) mountain pass road which connects Italy and Austria.

Participants run up to the summit of Monte Floritz (2184m), down to the border crossing on the mountain pass (1360m), up again to the peak of Pal Piccolo (1800m), and then downhill to the finish. The 19km route takes a shortcut that skips the summit of Monte Floritz.

One of the many memorable highlights on the course is running through the World War One trenches and fortifications on Pal Piccolo, which have been restored as an open-air museum.

 

Skyrace Carnia, Paluzza, Italy - a runner on Pal Piccolo (Copyright © 2010 Hendrik Böttger / runinternational.eu)

 

Race report, results and photos:

 

Country: Italy

Venue (Map): Laghetti di Timau (9km from Paluzza, 75km from Udine, 98km from Villach, 190km from Ljubljana)

Date: 16 June 2013 (Sunday)

Start time: 8.30

Race distance: 24.25km; 19.25km

Entries: online or by fax; entries close 14 June 2013

Entry fees: € 35 (advance payment by bank transfer), € 40 euros (payment in cash on the day)

You get: an ASICS backpack; eight aid stations along the course; pasta party after the race

Prizes: ?

Number of finishers 2012: 172 (24km), 46 (19km)

Event website (in Italian): www.aldomoropaluzza.it

 

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