It’s a go: Germany’s biggest trail-running festival, long scheduled for 17.-19. June 2016, is inviting applicants to file their race application as of today.
The race event on the German-Austrian border once again is expected to attract scores of ambitious trail runners from around the world. Athletes can choose from five courses of different distances anywhere along the epic loop around Zugspitz Mountain. Registration for those anxious about securing a starter package asap is available online as of noontime (GMT+1), 26th November 2015.
The five communities from which the various races set out in past years all enthusiastically committed to hosting the competition in 2016 again. Grainau (Ultratrail), Ehrwald (Supertrail XL), Leutasch-Weidach (Supertrail), Mittenwald (Basetrail XL) and Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Basetrail) look forward to welcoming the international posse of athletes for a long weekend of trail running on courses up to 100 km (5,400 m V+) distance. It’ll be the sixth time that racers will compete on a full or partial circuit around the highly scenic Zugspitz massif.
„Dear fellow trail runners and friends of the outdoors, everyone here at Salomon shares your excitement over the upcoming 6th SALOMON ZUGSPITZ ULTRATRAIL. The whopping endorsement of the event series by participants over the past five years and the rapidly growing trail-running community bolsters our commitment to developing ever-new challenges with you“, says Rainer Schlump, Marketing Director Sports Salomon: „I greatly look forward to greeting you with our Salomon Team in Grainau next June.“
Last year neither snow, cold or freezing winds could have detered the 2,000 athletes from competing on the Zugspitz Arena’s trail network. Staying ahead of all others at all times were Michael Arend and Simona Morbelli who almost seemed to thrive under the adverse conditions and managed to claim victory on the ultra-distance. It’s anyone’s bet who will win that title in 2016. Or on the shorter distances, for that matter, such as the Supertrail XL (79.3 km/4,156 m V+), Supertrail (60.7 km/2,973 m V+), Basetrail XL (36.1 km/1,893 m V+) or the Basetrail (25.1 km/1,595 m V+). Each of them has its own appeal and managed to impress and satisfy racers in past years regardless of their performance levels.
In principle, anyone can sign up for the event but the stats of each course speak lengths of what should be prerequisites before considering participation in any of the races. Apart from adequate physical fitness and dexterity, extensive prior experience in alpine trail-running is a definite must. While ten food / water stops, a trailside medical check-up, diligent trail marking and the imposition of strict time limits provide participants with external guidance, they can’t substitute recurrent self-assessment and the need for warm and weather-proof gear, an emergency kit, head lamp in addition to carrying beverages and some food rations.
All things considered, there won’t be a way around diligent training and preparation for some time prior to the races. After all, it’s safety first ahead of any longing for adventure and unknown challenges.
Whereas racers will likely stay on their toes throughout the competition, there’s lots of diversion for supporting friends and family in the context of the festival. Apart from many panoramic trail-side viewpoints, the finish area in Grainau hosts the Expo, a trade show with numerous high-profile exhibitors showcasing trendy wares and product novelties.
And goose bumps will be guaranteed as soon as the first finishers cross the proverbial line in Grainau – a process that should continue through the night until the wee hours of the morning.
Online registration is available as of 12:00 noon, November 26, 2015. Additional information and regular updates on the SALOMON ZUGSPITZ ULTRATRAIL are posted on the festival website.
Fact Sheet – SALOMON ZUGSPITZ ULTRATRAIL 2016:
Dates: 17. – 19. June 2016
Ultratrail: 100 km / 5,420 m V+*, Start 07:15 am, Grainau/GER
Supertrail XL: 79.3 km / 4,156 m V+*, Start 08:00 am, Ehrwald/AT
Supertrail: 60.7 km / 2,973 m V+*, Start 09:00 am, Leutasch-Weidach/AT
Basetrail XL: 36.1 km / 1,893 m V+*, Start 10:00 am, Mittenwald/GER
Basetrail: 25.1 km / 1,595 m V+*, Start 10:30 am, Garmisch-Partenkirchen/GER (*subject to modifications – conditional on land use licensing)
FINISH: Grainau/GER (all courses)
2 countries: Germany, Austria
6 race categories (pending min. 15 participants): Men / Women, Master Men / Master Women (40+ years), Senior Master Men / Senior aster Women (50+ years).
Pictures – credits: ©Klaus Fengler and ©Kelvin Trautman.
