Sexten-Sesto (Italy), Sunday 11 September 2011

Drei Zinnen Lauf 2011, Sexten-Sesto (Copyright © 2011 runinternational.eu)

 

On a beautiful and very warm day in the Sexten Dolomites, over 800 mountain runners from 13 countries were greeted with cheers and applause as they crossed the finish line at the Dreizinnen Mountain Hut, which sits at around 2,400 metres above sea level, very close to the famous Three Lavaredo Peaks (Drei Zinnen, Tre Cime).

Scottish top athlete Waldie Brian delivered a particularly remarkable performance. The 73-year-old completed the 17.5-kilometre course over rugged terrain in a time of just over two and a half hours. Although he was the oldest competitor in the field, he left 250 male and 100 female athletes behind.

Starting at an elevation of around 1,300 metres in the ski and holiday resort of Sexten (Italian: Sesto), participants worked their way up to the highest point on the course, which is at over 2,500 metres above sea level where the air is thin and the heart beats faster. Then, runners had to show off their downhill running skills before their strength was tested again on the final climb to the finish.

Although the World Mountain Running Championships were held on the same day in Albania, a number of world-class athletes took part in the race. Six-time World Mountain Running Champion Jonathan Wyatt of New Zealand celebrated his fifth victory in the Drei Zinnen Lauf, closely followed by Germany's Helmut Schiessl and Italy's cross-country skier Roland Clara. Maria Grazia Roberti of Italy defended the title she won last year with ease.

 

Results Drei Zinnen Alpin Lauf 2011

17.5km (+1,350m)

Men: 656 finishers

1. Jonathan Wyatt New Zealand 1:29:02
2. Helmut Schiessl Germany 1:29:25
3. Roland Clara Italy 1:30:11
4. Thomas Moriggl Italy 1:31:45
5. David Schneider Switzerland 1:32:48

 

Women: 150 finishers

1. Maria Grazia Roberti Italy 1:51:00
2.  Francesa Iachemet Italy 1:55:05
3. Ellen Clemens Germany 1:59:49
4. Thea Lillehov Norway 2:01:51
5. Petra Wimmer Austria 2:02:31

Full results

 

Mini Drei Zinnen Lauf 2011, Sexten-Sesto (Copyright © 2011 runinternational.eu)

Two hundred children took part in the kids' races, which were held on Saturday afternoon.

 

Drei Zinnen Lauf 2011, Sexten-Sesto (Copyright © 2011 runinternational.eu)

On Sunday morning, over 800 athletes ran from Sexten through the lovely Fischlein Valley ...

 

Drei Zinnen Lauf 2011, Zwölferkofel (Copyright © 2011 runinternational.eu)

... before the route climbed seven kilometres on mountain trails (in the background the 3,094-metre Zwölferkofel).

 

Drei Zinnen Lauf 2011, Dolomites (Copyright © 2011 runinternational.eu)

Overall, the course included 1,350 metres of ascent ...

 

Drei Zinnen Lauf 2011, Spartaco Brizzi (Copyright © 2011 runinternational.eu)

... through the breathtaking scenery ...

 

Drei Zinnen Lauf 2011, Sexten-Sesto (Copyright © 2011 runinternational.eu)

... of the Sexten Dolomites.

 

Drei Zinnen Lauf 2011, downhill (Copyright © 2011 runinternational.eu)

Then, participants had to display their downhill running skills.

 

Drei Zinnen Lauf 2011, the last kilometre (Copyright © 2011 runinternational.eu)

The last kilometre was uphill again.

 

Drei Zinnen Lauf 2011, lakes at the finish (Copyright © 2011 runinternational.eu)

At the finish, runners were greeted with cheers and applause, ...

 

Drei Zinnen Lauf 2011, finish (Copyright © 2011 runinternational.eu)

... and they were rewarded with stunning views of the Drei Zinnen.

 

Drei Zinnen Lauf 2011, Sexten-Sesto (Copyright © 2011 runinternational.eu)

 

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Race report, results and photos:

 

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