The second edition of Primiero Dolomiti Marathon started in the best way: crisp air, bright sun and more than 2600 runners animated by a real enthusiasm.
Saturday 1 July at 8.45 the runners of the 42 kilometres, the hardest of the three race courses also for its positive gap of 1242 m, started their Dolomiti Marathon. The start line was in the 18th century Villa Welsperg, in the wonderful Val Canali, and from there the runners passed through the slopes of the majestic Pale of San Martino di Castrozza and the Catena of Logorai Orientale.
In the middle of the green meadows of the valley and in the fragrant woods, the runners reached the characteristics cabins to get back to Sora Ronz and then San Martino di Castrozza, an elegant center surrounded by the natural park of Paneveggio – Pale of San Martino. From there the athletes reached the summit of the route, the 1683 meters of the Passet of Calaita, overlooking Lake Simion.
From Passo Gobbera, a characteristic locality of the Valle del Vanoi, a long but slight downhill took them to the finish line in Fiera di Primiero, overlooking panoramically the villages of Imer and Mezzano.
The average distance of 26 kilometers, whose start line was in the small Alpine center of San Martino di Castrozza, was attended by about 1,500 runners. The track, characterized by a positive difference of 448 meters and a negative gap of 1198 meters, has traced the last 26K of the marathon sharing its beautiful landscapes.
There are also many participants for the Family Trail of 6.5 kilometers, a fun course for everyone, with start line and arrival in Fiera di Primiero: here, passing through the Vallombrosa Park and then Tonadico, Siror, Transacqua and Pieve, there had been celebrated the most playful and social side of mountain sport.
The beautiful landscapes, the frame of this event, have seen about 2600 runners of all ages and coming from 33 different nations. Marathoners, racers, skymarathon specialists runners and a lot of simple mountain enthusiasts came to Primiero Valley to run together and enjoy a wonderful summer day in the middle of nature.
*Stories by run is a weekly column written by Venice by Run for the VMC – Venice Marathon Club events magazine.
