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High Mountain Running at the Dolomite Extreme Trail

04 Mar, 2013 (Mon)

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Hello, on June 8th 2013, you’ll be organizing the Dolomite Extreme Trail. Can you tell us where it is located?

The Dolomite Extreme Trail is a high mountain race. It is located in Val di Zoldo, in the province of Belluno, about 100 km North of the Venice airport. The entire course lies within the Dolomites, the most beautiful mountains in the world (a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site), on Mount Pelmo and Civetta. A section of our territory is part of the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park, a natural protected area.

How old is the race and why was it created in the first place?

This will be the first edition of the race. We have decided to organize this race in order to introduce our mountains to all mountain trail lovers. The area is still relatively unknown, yet offers many options for running, walking, and climbing. The organizers are all experienced runners who know the area as well as the needs of runners.

Credit : Dolomiti Extreme Trail

What kind of route have you set up for the runners? How would you describe it?

The course is almost exclusively on trails and unpaved roads in the woods.

There will be a section of the course with more spice: inaccessible or treacherous tracks and trails on the slopes of Mount Civetta 2,350m above see level, with rocky outcrops or rubble that can be exposed areas or protected by fixed ropes. There Italian Mountain Rescue personnel will guarantee the runners’ total safety.
The spectacular scenery of the Dolomites can be admired during the whole race.

How many runners do you expect on Saturday morning? What type of runners do you plan to attract?

For this first edition, we have decided to limit enrollment to 400 participants.
The course is suitable for athletes who already have mountain racing experience. We are ready to offer a friendly welcome to participants from all over the world!

Do you organize other races during the Weekend? If so, on what distances?

This year there is only a single race distance: 53 km with 3,800m of positive elevation gain and 3,700m negative elevation gain. For the following editions, we are also considering a shorter distance.

Credit : Dolomiti Extreme Trail

At that time of the year, what kind of weather can we expect?

During the month of June, our valley has a spring-like weather, with temparature about 15/18°C.
In the high section of the course, above 2,000m, the temperature can be freezing. It is also possible that participants will have to run short distances on snow; nothing is more refreshing!

Have you planned festivities around the marathon?

The day before the race, on Friday, there will be a conference by experts on “nutrition during exertion and in everyday life”. In the morning, there will be an hour-long, collective training session on the first section of the course and in the evening, a pasta party with music for everyone.

On race-day afternoon, while waiting for the last participants to reach the finish line, various bands will be performing and a dinner with traditional dishes will be offered to all participants by the organizers. The day after the race, there will be a recovery walk along a pleasant nature trail accompanied by a guide who will illustrate the characteristics of the Dolomite environment.

Near the finish line, there will be an art exhibition. The theme will be running and mountains. It will be open throughout the race weekend.

Torre Valgranda
Credit : Dolomiti Extreme Trail

The race finished, what advice would you give a runner who has never been to Forno di Zoldo before? A good restaurant, a fancy sightseeing?

The whole territory of the Dolomites deserves a visit, not only because of its unspoiled nature, but also because of its traditional cuisine, artistic and shopping centers. In 40 minutes you can be in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the queen of the Dolomites, traveling through a fairy tale scenery. In one hour you can be in Venice, the city on the sea known worldwide.

In a single sentence, what would you tell the readers of ahotu Marathons to make them register for the Dolomite Extreme Trail?

Running the Dolomiti Extreme Trail race is a great opportunity to get to know a unique region: the Dolomites, and to experience a weekend of sport and friendship.

As an ending note, I wish to remind you that the finisher prize for all participants is a pair of trail running shoes, the new model made by the Swedish company Haglöfs, with Asics technology.

Interview with Corrado de Rocco. Corrado is an amateur runner, who has been running all his life, just for the pleasure. He prefers long distances like the marathon and, naturally, running in nature: in the valley he lives in, there are endless itineraries in the woods, fields, pastures, scree slopes, snow, and rock. In the winter, he likes to train with skis and snowshoes. Together with his running friends he created the race to showcase the magnificent Dolomites mountains.

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