11th Puster Valley three-quarter half marathon

This popular and well-organized 17.6km race in South Tyrol, Italy's northernmost and largely German speaking part, takes you from the town of Bruneck in the Puster Valley along the Tauferer Valley to the holiday and ski resort of Sand in Taufers.

From the start in the attractive historic centre of Bruneck you will run along the River Ahr and through some villages to the finish under the majestic medieval Taufers Castle. Snow-capped mountain peaks and several castles on the hillsides provide an impressive backdrop.

The undulating, traffic-free route follows roads and cycle paths and is overall mildly uphill. A short section is on a dirt road.

The event forms part of the Top7, a series of five road races in South Tyrol, and has seen many strong runners flying along the course.

Last year, local runner Georg Brunner won the jubilee 10th edition of the event in 58:39 - his first victory in his tenth attempt!

Renate Rungger, who impressed with a second place in the World Mountain Running Championships 2008, lifted the trophy for the seventh time (1:08:25). Maja Gautschi from Switzerland came second.

 

Country: Italy (South Tyrol)

Venue (Map): Bruneck/Brunico (Innsbruck 106km, Villach 175km, Ljubljana 276km)

Date: 30 August 2009 (Sunday)

Race distance: 17.6km

Start: 10.00 Bruneck, Rathausplatz (835m); wheel chairs 9.55

Finish: Sand in Taufers (870m)

Entries: online or by telephone or fax (see event website); payment in the race centre

Entry fees: 16 EUR (until 28 August, 6pm), 21 EUR (late entries until the start); you will have to pay an additional 5 EUR if you are not a member of an Italian running club

Race centre: in the Alte Turnhalle (old sports hall) on the Rathausplatz in Bruneck (Saturday, 29 August, from 17.00 to 18.00 and on Sunday from 8.15)

You get: bus service before the race (at 8.25) from the finish to the start; transport of personal clothing to the finish; chip for timing; massage; a sack of local potatoes; prize raffle

Prizes: first 5 M/F; first 3 in the categories

Showers and changing facilities: in the sports hall, approximately 1km from the finish (free bus service)

Presentation: 14.00 at the finish

Number of finishers 2008: 480

Event website (in German and Italian): www.3viertelhalbmarathon.com