Credit: Harald Wisthaler

The Südtirol Drei Zinnen Alpine Run takes place in exactly 100 days, on Saturday, 16 September. We offer you 20 facts around the 20th edition of the mountain run in the Dolomites – UNESCO World Heritage.

Did you know that…?

… since 1998, that is since the very first Drei Zinnen Run, a total of 14767 athletes made it to the finish? That corresponds to 777 finishers per edition. The Südtirol Drei Zinnen Alpine Run is therefore still one of the runs in South Tyrol with the greatest number of participants – and with 19 editions, it is also one of the most traditional.

… there are 12 mountain runners who have been at the start of all previous 19 editions? They are Robert Amhof (Sesto), Roberto Crosato (Treviso), Gianpietro De Angeli (Mestre), Adriano Grion (Aquileia), Claudio Infusi (Rome), Markus Innerbichler (Val Casies), Nikolaus Oberle (Aschaffenburg), Konrad Ranzi (Laives), Georg Trenker (Valdaora), Giuseppe Ventura (Molina di Fiemme), Giuliano Barizza (Mirano) and Filippo Barizza (Mira).

… Petro Mamu and Anna Frost hold the track record at the Südtirol Drei Zinnen Alpine Run? The former World Champion in mountain running from Eritrea run the 17.5 km with altitude differentials of 1350 m in 1:22.44 hours, while Frost from New Zealand reached the finishing line in 2009 after 1:42.59 hours.

… the Südtirol Drei Zinnen Alpine Run never had to be cancelled? All 19 previous editions took place as planned. Twice (in 2008 and 2016) the route had to be shortened or an alternative route had to be used – but the run itself always took place.

… Gottfried Hofer has been Chair of the Organising Committee of the Südtirol Drei Zinnen Alpine Run since 2008? This means that he also celebrates an anniversary this year: the tenth race at which he is heading up the Organising Committee.

… twice there has been snow on the day before the race? Already at the first edition in 1998 there had been several centimetres of snowfall in the night before the premiere. Volunteers arrived with shovels and cleared the path to ensure that the first event could take place successfully. During the subsequent 17 years all was calm. Last year, however, there were again a few centimetres of snowfall in the night before the race. This time the route was altered slightly and dangerous sections were cancelled – the adventure Drei Zinnen Run could go ahead as planned and the many participants were grateful that they were able to race.

… record winners are Jonathan Wyatt for the men and Anna Pichrtova for the women? The runner from New Zealand won the Südtirol Drei Zinnen Alpine Run six times (2001, 2004, 2005, 2010, 2011, 2014), the Czech athlete stood on the highest step of the podium four times (2001, 2002, 2004, 2005).

… 314 runners reached the finish during the first race in 1998? Today, the Südtirol Drei Zinnen Alpine Run is sold out weeks before the start gun is fired. Because of environmental protection regulations the Nature park Drei Zinnen restricts the number of participants to 1000 runners. If that weren’t the case, who knows how quickly twice the number would gather at the start!

… there will be a special illustrated book for this year’s anniversary edition? The book, which is being compiled and edited by Doris Büchel, wife of the former ski runner Marco Büchel from Liechtenstein, includes not only stunning photos but also exciting background stories on the runs, interesting facts about the Organising Committee and much more.

… Marco Gaiardo and Nathalie Santer won the first edition of the Südtirol Drei Zinnen Alpine Run in 1998? It was only one of over three double Italian victories. In 2007 Antonio Molinari and Antonella Confortola won the run, in 2012 Gabriele Abate and Mariagrazia Roberti.

… 250 top motivated volunteers donate their time and effort each year? They ensure the smooth running of the Drei Zinnen Run, from setting up to winding down, the refreshment stops, the logistics and any of the many other sections of this high quality sports event in Sesto.

… in terms of the number of victories Italy is the most successful nation in the Südtirol Drei Zinnen Alpine Run? 14 times an athlete from Italy stood on the highest step of the podium. Twice a South Tyrolean was able to celebrate victory: in 1989 the former top biathlete Nathalie Santer won the first edition of the run, in 2013 the winner was Renate Rungger from Sarentino.

… since 2005 there has been the Mini Drei Zinnen Alpine Run for children and young people? The youngest race over 300 meters, Juniors A race a distance of 2800 metres. Fastest runner wins. At the Mini Drei Zinnen Alpine Run, which will take place for the 13th time on 17 September, the most important element however is having fun.

… that the Südtirol Drei Zinnen Alpine Run also offers prize money? This year the prize money paid to the winners and runner-ups totals 7000 euros.

… that the Südtirol Drei Zinnen Alpine Run is a Green Event? Green Events are events planned, organised and implemented according to sustainability criteria. Chair of the Organising Committee Gottfried Hofer and his team want to continue to develop the areas of efficient use of resources, waste management, added regional value and social responsibility. The runners themselves also play a major role in ensuring that the event is as environment-friendly as possible.

… that the Südtirol Drei Zinnen Alpine Run maintains a highly entertaining Facebook page? It regularly publishes fantastic photos, amazing videos and, of course, the latest information around mountain running in the stunning Sesto mountain world. The page already has nearly 4500 followers who all passionately share, comment on and like many of the posts.

… that there are combined rankings for the Drei Zinnen Ski Raid 2017 and the Drei Zinnen Alpine Run 2017? The three best male and female athletes in the overall ranking each get a cash prize.

… that there is always outstanding catering at the finish? A supreme buffet with various cakes and gateaux, fruit, yoghurt and many more delicious treats is set up at the Rifugio Antonio Locatelli. After 17.5 km and 1350 m altitude differential finishers have earned a proper treat!

… that the Südtirol Drei Zinnen Alpine Run is closed with a very generous time margin? The organizers want to make it possible for every runner to arrive at the finish and be celebrated by the many fans. They also should come in to the same facilities as the fastest runners.

… that there is a team event at the Drei Zinnen Run? Every team consists of a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 4 runners. They can come from any of the categories but must all be from the same country. The fastest times are included in the ranking. If a team has four runners, one of the times will not be taken into account. The team time consists of the sum of all running times.

INFO: Südtirol Drei Zinnen Alpine Run