GORE-TEX® Transalpine-Run 2017: 4 Countries, 2 Runners, 1 Week - One Dream!

The GORE-TEX® Transalpine-Run is one of the toughest, most emotional and without a doubt most famous stage races in the world. The 13th edition of this legendary event will take place from 3 to 9 September 2017. Since it was first held in 2005, around 5000 runners between 18 and 74 years of age from more than 50 countries have taken on the challenge of crossing the Alps on foot. The “TAR”, as it is often called by the athletes, is a classic race in the trailrunning scene and considered the ultimate challenge for ambitious athletes.

Once again in 2017 the seven-stage race will see 300 teams of two athletes – including myself and Matthew Ogg complete almost 250 kilometres on the traditional western route from Fischen im Allgäu (GER) to Sulden/Ortler (ITA), climbing more than 15,000 vertical metres on our way from Germany to Italy. Stunning landscapes, fantastic trails, high-speed descents and new friends will accompany us as we push ourselves to the limit day after day.

We will be participating in the GORE-TEX® Transalpine-Run for the 1st time. We can look forward to stages of up to 40 km in distance and with more than 2,000 vertical metres of ascent on the way across the Alps. This year’s western route starts in Fischen im Allgäu and leads over the border into Austria before heading for the villages of Lech and St. Anton am Arlberg.

The journey continues via the town of Landeck and then over the Swiss border to Samnaun at 1800 metres above sea level. After a stop at Scuol in the Engadin region of Switzerland, it is then time to traverse one more frontier as we enter Italy and head for Prad/Prato at the foot of the mighty Stelvio pass. Finally, after six days of running, we will have to gather our strength for one final push up to Sulden/Solda at an altitude of almost 2000 metres, passing over the 2880-metre-high Bärenjoch ridge on the way. An emotional reception is guaranteed as we finally arrive at the finish line and receive our finisher jersey. In the 2017 edition of the  GORE-TEX® Transalpine-Run we will cover 264.6 km, climb 15,957 vertical metres and descend 14,610 vertical metres.

This is an epic challenge and after only 16 weeks training I am hoping to inspire others to show anything is possible with enough, passion and determination.

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