On September 3, 2022, the DYNAFIT Transalpine Run powered by Volkswagen R will start on its eight-day journey across the Alps, from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to the finish in Vals in South Tyrol on September 10. With 286 kilometers and 17,070 meters of altitude, the route is considered one of the most challenging in the 17-year history of the legendary crossing of the Alps. Over 270 teams from 27 nations will take on the challenge, joined by another 150 2-person teams who will get a taste of Transalpine air on the first two days at the completely sold-out “RUN2”.

The Transalpine Run (TAR) 2022 will be a great celebration for lovers of alpine trails. The route itself is spectacular and in a large part new, with glacier passages and repeated crossings of the 3000m limit. The queen stage awaits on day 3 from Imst to Mandarfen, with 54 kilometers and 2800 meters of ascent and will surely demand everything from the participants. Nevertheless, on the following day the shortest stage of the Alpine Crossing awaits with the mountain sprint up to the Riffelsee.

Martin Hafenmair, route director of the TAR, is already looking forward to it: “The route is really spectacular and will be a real adventure even for Transalpine warhorses. Four of the eight stages are completely new, and we have also been able to increase the trail portion of the other stages. We are convinced that we can offer runners an unforgettable experience in one of the most magnificent natural landscapes in the world.”

The stages at a glance:

3.9.2022: Garmisch-Partenkirchen (D) – Nassereith (AUT) 43 km, 2180 hm
4.9.2022: Nassereith (AUT) – Imst (AUT) 31 km, 1770 hm
5.9.2022: Imst (AUT) – Mandarfen (AUT) 54 km, 2800 hm
6.9.2022: Mountain sprint Rifflsee 7,30 km, 670 Hm
7.9.2022: Mandarfen (AUT) – Obergurgl (AUT) 37 km, 2450 Hm
8.9.2022: Obergurgl (AUT) – Stubaital (AUT) 37 km, 2400 hm
9.9.2022: Stubaital (AUT) – Gossensass (ITA) 43 km, 2100 hm
10.9.2022: Gossensass (ITA) – Vals (ITA) 34 km, 2700 hm.

International field of participants with many newcomers

The start will host runners from 27 nations and among all, the most strongly represented countries are Germany, Austria and Switzerland as well as the USA, Belgium, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Canada, Italy and Spain. One third of the participants are women, the oldest runner is 74 years old and the youngest is 19.

Even in its 17th edition, the Transalpine Run hasn’t lost any of its fascination which is shown by another interesting statistic: About 60% of the starters are taking part for the first time (in the case of RUN2 even more than 80%), yet on the other hand there are also die-hard TAR fans who have hardly missed an edition. We have 13 athletes who are returning for at least their 10th participation.

Favorites from Germany, Austria, Italy and USA

There are hardly any clear favorites for the Transalpine-Run, however the following are higly rated: The Austrian team F7/Coros with Alexander Hutter and Elias Feineler, the Italian team Equilibrio with Nicola Giovanelli and Michela Tezzele, as well as the German Volkswagen R Team with Sebastian Hallmann and Florian Reichert. Also in the mix: the South Tyrolean team ASV Gossensass/Scarpa with Lukas Gasser and Lukas Mangger. At least on paper, both are among the top runners with more than 830 ITRA points each.

It should be an exciting women’s race with The DYNAFIT Ladies USA with Rea Kolbl and Erin Ton who are among the top contenders for victory, along with the German Salomon-Skinfit duo with Lena Laukner and Heidi Annemarie Schwartz. The latter won the Stubai Ultratrail over 68 kilometers this year, Lena Laukner was 3rd in the Basetrail as part of the Zugspitz Ultratrail.

RUN2: Over 70 kilometers of trail fun

Fun and excitement can also be expected by the 150 2-person teams of the RUN2, which will accompany the TAR-trot on the first two days. With 74 kilometers and almost 4,000 meters of altitude, from Garmisch-Partenkirchen via Nassereith to Imst, the small TAR is also considered a real challenge and an ideal appetizer for the Transalpine Run. Favorites here include the Dynafit Team with Michael Zweigart and Stefan Lämmle and in the women’s Die Flotten Gamsn Christine Griessmair and Claudia Sieder from South Tyrol.

INFO: DYNAFIT Transalpine Run