Summer is here and with the temperatures, mountain running and trail fever is on the rise throughout the country. And anyone who has ‘caught the bug’ is probably already familiar with the Rosengarten Schlern Skymarathon. The route in the heart of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most beautiful in the world and will once again attract hundreds of trail athletes to the start in Tiers am Rosengarten on Saturday 12 July.

One person who has long since fallen for the charm of the Rosengarten Schlern Skymarathon is Andreas Reiterer: ‘It's one of the most beautiful routes here in Italy, the organisation is always great, I've been to the start three times and have always had very good experiences,’ says the multiple Italian champion and runner-up in the trail running world championship from Hafling, adding: ‘I think you should take part in the local competitions, as you always meet old and new friends there and the organisers simply deserve that you come as an elite athlete.’ Reiterer is also planning to take part in this year's eighth edition on 12 July. The Haflinger is expected to make a definite commitment at the beginning of July.
But what makes the Catinaccio Sciliar Ski Marathon so special? The two routes - the longer one is 45 kilometres long and demands a lot from the participants with around 3000 metres of altitude difference, the shorter one is 36 kilometres long and has around 2000 metres of altitude difference - lead around the Catinaccio massif, which is not only famous in Europe but also worldwide and is symbolic of the idyllic mountain landscape of the Dolomites and, of course, South Tyrol. Both routes lead from the start in Tiers am Rosengarten to the Grasleiten Pass, which is the highest point of the renowned running event at 2601 metres above sea level. Participants on the ‘short’ route descend via the Tschamin Valley back to Tiers, while the more hardy long-distance runners have two more climbs on the programme: the Molignon Pass and the Tschafon. The finish, like the start, is in Tiers am Rosengarten.

Spectators are also very welcome at the Rosengarten Schlern Skymarathon

The number of participants in the Rosengarten Schlern Skymarathon is limited to 500 starting places. Those interested should not wait too long to register. Endurance athletes can still register on the official website www.skymarathontiers.it. There is a fee of 90 euros for the shorter distance and 95 euros for the longer distance. The entry fee includes a starter pack with sponsor gifts, a finisher's medal, use of the refreshment stations, access to the first aid and rest area in the finish area, a free shuttle service between the start and finish areas, free parking, a drink and a meal at the summer party in the finish area, as well as the bag depot in the race office and the return transport of the bags labelled by the runners from the start area to the race office. The time limit is set at ten hours. Participants who reach the checkpoint at the Rotwand Hut after 11.30 a.m. will be removed from the classification for safety reasons and will return to the valley on their own responsibility.
Not only trail runners, but also spectators are welcome at the Rosengarten Schlern Skymarathon. All passengers on the Tierser Cabrio cable car will receive the Rosengarten Pass on 12 July from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. for 26 instead of 38 euros. This allows them to travel up to the Kölner Hut and then follow the race directly on the Hirzelsteig trail.