August
31
ULTRA TOUR MONTE ROSA 2021 KICKS OFF AT GRACHEN.
ULTRA TOUR MONTE ROSA 2021 KICKS OFF AT GRACHEN. Our TRAIL RUNNING ALPS section is now live from Grachen, deep in the swiss Alps. Tomorrow 1SEP we shall bring you the kick off to the sixth edition of this event.
Ultra legend Lizzy Hawker as race director offers us five mountain races: 170km in four stages; 100 Miles of the hitch; 100km of the pull; Ultra 58k and the Berglauf 23k.
Read this article in spanish at CARRERASDEMONTANA.COM here.
UTMR 2021 start is up. Photo: Corinne Crabe.
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ULTRA TRAIL MONTE ROSA 2021 (SEP1-4)
MONTE ROSA, SECOND ALPINE SUMMIT
The Monte Rosa Massif is located between the Italian regions of Piedmont and the Aosta Valley and in the canton of Valais (Wallis) of Switzerland. Hence, the Ultra Tour Monte Rosa, as you can see in the panoramic map below, is based on the Italian Gressoney and the Swiss Grachen.
It is the largest massif in the Alps and here the second highest altitude in all of Western Europe is reached, after the Mont Blanc massif. The Dufourspitze is the highest peak in the massif and, at 4,634 meters above sea level, also the highest in Switzerland.
It was named after the Swiss general (and great cartographer) Guillaume-Henri Dufour, 1787 – 1875). On Gnifetti Point is the highest mountain refuge in Europe, the Regina Margherita Cabin (at an elevation of 4,554 meters above sea level). Below, the spectacular panorama that awaits the runners of the Ultra 100km, as a reference.
Ultra Tour Monte Rosa. Photo: Org.
UTMR 2021: THE FIVE RACES.
1. ULTRA TOUR MONTE ROSA 2021: 4 STAGES KICKS OFF.
The event kicks off tomorrow at 6AM (CET) at Grachen. The four stage 152km race will open fire, to be followed by its four sisters on the following days.
Departure Wednesday 1 of September a 6.00 am from Grächen Time limit 48 hours
Distance: 152 km
Ascent: 10,800m
Time Limit: 12 hours for each day
- STAGE 1 : GRÄCHEN TO ZERMATT ↔ 41.1 km ↗ 2,902m ↘ 2,912m
- STAGE 2 : ↔ 36.2 km ↗ 2,657m ↘ 2,657m
- STAGE 3 : ↔ 38.5 km ↗ 2,404m ↘ -1,960m
- STAGE 4 :↔ 35.6 km ↗ 2,505m ↘ 2,674m
2. UTMR SPECIAL EDITION 170 KMS
From Grächen through Zermatt The race will take the runners on the original UTMR route along the Europaweg to Zermatt, crossing the magnificent 494m long Charles Kuonen Hängebrücke (suspension bridge).
After running though the iconic alpine village of Zermatt you turn into the wild valley leading up to the Zmuttgletscher and climb up to Höhbalmen with its extensive and breathtaking panorama – the north face of the Matterhorn with the Zmuttgrat ridge, the Breithorn, Liskamm and the Monte Rosa massif, the Rimpfischhorn, Alphubel, Taschhorn, Dom…. 4000m summits abound.
Departure Thursday 2 of September a 4.00 am from Grächen Time limit 60 hours
3. UTMR “SPECIAL EDITION” 100 KM
Departure Friday 3 of September a 9.00 am from Grächen Time limit 28 hours Distance: 102 km
Ascent: 6,912m
4. UTMR 58 KM MISCHABEL LAUF
Departure Saturday 4 of September at 6.30 pm from Grächen Time limit 15 hours Distance: 58 km
Ascent: 4060 m
The 2021 newcomer to the family. Wild alpine trails traversing high above the valley floor, holding you captive to the power of the 4000m summits all around. In this 58 km race you explore two of the best, the Gsponer Höhenweg and the Balfrin Höhenweg.
Run from Grachen to Saas Fee along wild alpine trails on an average height over 2.000m, with a vertical climb over 4.000m. Oh! And do it below 15 hours, o you are out. Nice challenge it is….
5- Grächen Berglauf 23K 132O D+
Grächen Berglauf departure Saturday 4th of September at 10.00 am in Grächen Time limit 6 hours 23K Ascent 1320 m
A beautiful and challenging route taking the runners right to the edge of the awe-inspiring Riedgletscher. It’s a tough mountain race and a prior experience of running and hiking on mountain terrain is recommended.
Finish Grachen Lauf 2019. Photo Mayayo
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LIZZY HAWKER, RACE DIRECTOR: ULTRARUNNING LIVING LEGEND
She was also the winner of the 246km of the Spartathlon 2012 and third overall. Lizzy even set a world record for 100km on road running, among many other unique achievements of his career.
Not only her track record has made her different, but her passion for experiencing the mountains in all its variants, from helping at the UTMB as one more volunteer when she couldn’t run it.
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