| Stages |
1. Stage: RUHPOLDING (D) - ST. ULRICH AM PILLERSEE (A)
Vertical gain: 953 m / 3,127 ft. (ascent only).
Horizontal distance: 38.23 km / 23.75 mi.
Avg. time needed: approx. 5 hours (assuming a speed of 10 km/h horizontal and a vertical gain of 600 m/h). |
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| The mountain ranges of the ‘Chiemgau’ and the ‘Steinplatte’ without a doubt make for an ideal ‘warm-up’ stage on the Gore-Tex™ Transalpine-Run 2008. With less than a kilometre vertical gain, the inaugural day may not demand much in terms of climbing skills yet but the total distance of 38 km will already feel pretty close to being marathonesque - en route to St. Ulrich at the base of what’s called the ‘Loferer Rocky Mountains’. |
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2. Stage: ST. ULRICH AM PILLERSEE (A) - MITTERSILL (A)
Vertical gain: 2,217 m / 7,274 ft. (ascent only).
Horizontal distance: 51.03 km / 31.71 mi.
Avg. time needed: approx. 7 hours (assuming a speed of 10 km/h horizontal and a vertical gain of 600 m/h). |
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| A vertical gain of 2,200 m and a distance exceeding 50 km likely earn the second stage the repute of being not only the longest but also the most gruesome day during the Gore-Tex™ Transalpine-Run 2008. Following a flat overture between St. Ulrich and Fieberbrunn, the terrain steepens considerably towards ‘Gebra Saddle’ in the Kitzbühl Alps. While this part of the Northern Alps cannot be considered high alpine yet, it challenges runners nonetheless with a tiring tirade of repeated climbs and descents. A total of four mountain passes have to be scaled over the course of the day before the trail finally drops down to Mittersill in the Salzach Valley. |
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3. Stage: MITTERSILL (A) - NEUKIRCHEN AM GROSSVENEDIGER (A)
Vertical gain: 1,494 m / 4,902 ft. (ascent only).
Horizontal distance: 26.15 km / 16.25 mi.
Avg. time needed: approx. 4 hours (assuming a speed of 10 km/h horizontal and a vertical gain of 600 m/h). |
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| The third stage with it vertical gain of nearly 1,500 m in combination with the total distance of only 26 km offers a bit of a reprieve after the intense challenges of the previous day – excepted that one single climb up the Wildkogel. Weather-permitting, this otherwise unassuming mountain peak should hold the redeeming quality of offering a picture-perfect view of the glaciated peaks of the Venediger Range and Hohe Tauern National Park. |
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4. Stage: NEUKIRCHEN AM GROSSVENEDIGER (A) - PRETTAU/AHRNTAL (I)
Vertical gain: 1,848 m / 6,062 ft. (ascent only).
Horizontal distance: 41.41 km / 25.73 mi.
Avg. time needed: approx. 5,5 hours (assuming a speed of 10 km/h horizontal and a vertical gain of 600 m/h). |
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| The fourth stage from Neukirchen, Austria, across the western reaches of the imposing Hohe Tauern Range covers a near-marathon-distance and climbs Birnlücke Pass, at 2,667 m the second-highest trail elevation during the Gore-Tex™ Transalpine-Run 2008. Spectacular mountain panoramas of the Zillertaler and Rieserferner Ranges should keep runners perked well into South Tyrol, Italy, but are paid for on that single, seemingly never-ending climb on the Austrian side of the border. |
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5. Stage: PRETTAU/AHRNTAL (I) - SAND IN TAUFERS (I)
Vertical gain: 1,188 m / 3,898 ft. (ascent only).
Horizontal distance: 34.86 km / 21.66 mi.
Avg. time needed: approx. 4,5 hours (assuming a speed of 10 km/h horizontal and a vertical gain of 600 m/h). |
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| Framed by towering peaks to the north and south, the west-trending Ahrn Valley is not only one the most beautiful valleys in South Tyrol but also one of the longest. In turn, the Gore-Tex™ Transalpine-Run 2008 follows the course of the Ahrn River for the first 22 km - favouring classic ‘marathonistas’ on this first stretch. However, the second half of the stage requires a long but fortunately scenic climb up Speikboden Peak– clearly to the advantage of classic trail runners. At day’s end, it should be clear which of the aforementioned specialist skills or if simply all-round running talent is key to success on this stage. |
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6. Stage: SAND IN TAUFERS (I) - ANTHOLZ-MITTERTAL (I)
Vertical gain: 1,947 m / 6,388 ft. (ascent only)
Horizontal distance: 24.04 km / 14.94 mi
Avg. time needed: approx. 4,5 hours (assuming a speed of 10 km/h horizontal and a vertical gain of 600 m/h)
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| ’Short but tough’, that’s the theme of the 6th day of running from Sand in Taufers to Antholz-Mittertal. The stage may be the shortest of all during the Transalpine-Run 2008 but the vertical gain shouldn’t be taken lightly after all. The trail rises steeply out of the Rein Valley and up the Gänsebichljoch, at 2,791 m the highest pass of the entire event. The descent threatens to be just as steep which should provide ideal terrain for the ‘mountain goats’ among the race participants. |
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7. Stage: ANTHOLZ-MITTERTAL (I) - NIEDERDORF IM PUSTERTAL (I)
Vertical gain: 2,458 m / 8,064 ft. (ascent only).
Horizontal distance: 40.63 km / 25.25 mi.
Avg. time needed: approx. 8 hours (assuming a speed of 10 km/h horizontal and a vertical gain of 600 m/h) |
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| The 7th stage from Antholz-Mittertal to Niederdorf in Val Pusteria exacts another marathon performance from the runners on the penultimate day before reaching the Dolomites. In fact, this day may rival the 2nd stage in terms of endurance and stamina required since the participants already have a few trail miles in their legs. The route leads out of the Antholz Valley up the ‘Grübl Gap’ and down into the Gsies Valley before a second arduous climb into the Defregger Range. Yet, the exertions and strains of both climbs should be more than compensated by the breath-taking panorama of the rugged Dolomites above Sexten. |
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8. Stage: NIEDERDORF IM PUSTERTAL (I) - SEXTEN (I)
Vertical gain: 2,184 m / 7,165 ft. (ascent only)
Horizontal distance: 42.195 km / 26.22 mi
Avg. time needed: approx. 6 hours (assuming a speed of 10 km/h horizontal and a vertical gain of 600 m/h) |
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| The ultimate and key stage of the Gore-Tex™ Transalpine-Run 2008 leads from Niederdorf in Val Pusteria to the scenic resort community of Sexten nestled at the foot of the Dolomites. This last day of running and towards victory have to be earned the hard way though - over yet a true marathon distance and a vertical gain of nearly 2,200 m on top of that. The ‘Tre Cime’ peaks towering over this ‘ordeal’ couldn’t be a more spectacular or unique backdrop, however, and should somewhat sweeten the aches and pains of a full week of running across the Alps as runners reach the finish line in Sexten, Italy. |
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Short-term changes of stages / routes /etc. because
of unforeseen circumstances are reserved to the organizer.
