The trail running event, sold out with 1378 participants from 25 countries, was a resounding success
Cortina d'Ampezzo, 30th September 2023 - Michele Meridio and Sophie Maschi have won the seventh edition of the Delicious Trail Dolomiti with a time of 4:33:37 and 5:46:20, respectively.
43 kilometres with an elevation gain of 3,100 metres, start this morning at 7.30 a.m. in the historic centre of Cortina d'Ampezzo, in the shadow of the bell tower. Then, at full speed, along a route winding through Pocol, Croda Da Lago, 5 Torri, Nuvolau, Lagazuoi and the Falzarego Pass, through the most extensive open-air museum of the Great War fought at high altitude in the Dolomites, followed by the crossing of the Lagazuoi tunnel up to 2,647 metres. Arrival at Pocol.
A demanding competition that has put participants from all over Italy and the world to the test, offering them strong emotions and overwhelming beauty. And also culinary delights, as the participating mountain refuges and restaurants located at high altitudes and at the arrival offered the competitors delicious Ampezzo and South Tyrolean specialities.
REPORT OF THE RACE - Michele Meridio, a 25-year-old athlete from Vicenza - with his mother Federica competing in the medium-distance race - launched into the race with great force alongside Luca Pescollderungg. They did the first 10 kilometres together, then his competitor increased the speed, but suddenly something changed. The man from Vicenza unexpectedly led the way and kept the lead right up to the finish line, as he told us."I ran the first 10 kilometres with Luca, then he went a little further ahead and probably took a wrong turn. When I arrived at the 15th-kilometre refreshment point, I asked how far I was from the first and was told that I was leading the race. What a nice surprise! That’s when I decided to increase the pace up to Averau Refuge to get a small advantage, aware that later in the race I had to tackle the Lagazuoi tunnel, a very difficult uphill section, and I knew that my pursuer was very strong uphill.
In the women's race, the athlete from Lodi, Sophie Maschi, who lives in Bolzano, was also alone. She started together with her husband Andrea, then gradually increased her pace and went on to lead the race alone. Her words at the end of the race:
"It was my first race this year after recovering from an injury. The intention was to compete together with my husband. But we had agreed that if one of us wanted to put more energy into it, he was free to run ahead. And this is what happened. I suffered in the tunnel of Mount Lagazuoi, where I wiped out the advantage over the other female runners. When I arrived at the refreshment point and saw the second woman arriving, I decided to grit my teeth and push hard up to the arrival".
In addition to the Delicious Trail Dolomiti, this morning were also held the 35 km long Medium Delicious Trail Dolomiti starting at 9.30 a.m. in the centre of La Villa in the Alta Valley and finishing in Pocol, and the 22 km long Short Delicious Trail Dolomiti, starting at 10.30 a.m. at Pocol and finishing at Pocol. Both races have been staged on spectacular routes winding through the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites.
The event, organised by L5T SPORT ASD, Consorzio Delicious Cortina and the Town Council of Cortina d'Ampezzo, and with the backing of Regole d'Ampezzo, the Parco Naturale delle Dolomiti d’Ampezzo, the Cortina branch of the Club Alpino Italiano, the Alta Badia Tourism Cooperative, Alta Badia Brand, and the Town Council of Badia, was a huge success. This year it was sold out with almost 1400 participants from 25 countries. The most represented countries, apart from Italy, were the United States, Austria and Slovenia.
Giovanni Menardi, the chairman of L5T Sport, said: "This year sees the culmination of this event, which started off in 2016. We had 1378 participants from 25 countries and are happy to have set up an event that marks the end of the season in the Dolomites and is is gaining ever greater prominence annually".
MEN'S PODIUM AT THE DELICIOUS TRAIL DOLOMITI
Michele Meridio, 4:33:37
Luca Pescollderungg, 4:40:22
Samuele Majoni, 5:02:31
WOMEN'S PODIUM AT THE DELICIOUS TRAIL DOLOMITI
Sophie Maschi, 5:46:20
Linda Menardi, 5:54:37
Martina Testarmata, 6:10:54
See here the general, intermediate and category rankings of the three races >>>>>
September 29th marks the opening of the PalaDelicious marquee, as well as the collection of racing bibs
and the aperitif dinner with the CHEF TEAM CORTINA.
The three races, starting from Cortina, Alta Badia and Pocol respectively, will be held on Saturday, 30th September
Cortina D'Ampezzo - The countdown has begun for the Delicious Festival Dolomiti, the trail running event comprising three races of 43 km, 35 km and 22 km along the trails of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites scheduled for 29th and 30th September.
START OF THE THREE RACES
All races will take place on Saturday, 30th September. The first race to start, at 7.30 a.m. from the centre of Cortina, will be the Delicious Trail Dolomiti, followed at 9 a.m. by the Medium Delicious Trail Dolomiti. And finally, at 10 a.m., the Short Delicious Trail Dolomiti will start from Pocol.
OPENING OF THE EVENT AND COLLECTION OF THE RACING BIB
On Friday, 29th September, the PalaDelicious marquee in Pocol will be inaugurated and opened. The racing bibs for all three races can be collected from 4 p.m. On the occasion of the opening, the aperitif dinner "Apericena" with TEAM CHEF CORTINA will take place for the sixth consecutive time. Guests can enjoy the culinary and oenological delights of the six leading restaurateurs in Cortina d'Ampezzo: Ristorante Al Camin, Ristorante Tivoli, Ristorante Villa Oretta, Ristorante Lago Scin, Ristorante Rio Gere and Pasticceria Alverà. Two menus will be offered, one consisting of six courses and one of two, both accompanied by a glass of Prosecco Doc Treviso Extra Dry 'Conte Collalto'.
The tasting is open to all and subject to payment. Reservations by sending an email by noon on Thursday 28th September to info@delicioustrail.it are recommended. However, it will also be possible to pay for the "APERICENA” (aperitif dinner) on-site on the day of the opening on site.
AWARDING AND GOURMET MEAL VOUCHER
On the day of the races, the PalaDelicious marquee opens at 7 a.m. and serves as both a bar and restaurant. The award ceremony for the three races will take place in the finish area at 5 p.m. At 5.00 p.m., the award ceremony for the three races will take place in the finish area. Following this, there will be a gourmet dinner with many local specialities and revised traditional recipes created by the chefs of the refuges and restaurants of the Delicious Cortina area. Please note that each participant will receive a gourmet voucher to redeem on this occasion.
CAR PARKS AND SHUTTLES
On the day of the race, parking in Pocol or near the short-distance race start area is strongly discouraged as spaces are limited.
The following car parks are available: At the Cortina d'Ampezzo bus station, at the turn of the bobsleigh course, at Socrepes above and below the SS48 state road, at Son dei Prade, 1.7 km after Pocol in the Falzarego Pass direction.
On 29th and 30th September, Cortina d'Ampezzo and Alta Badia will host running races on the trails of the Dolomites
Cortina D'Ampezzo - There are still two weeks to go until the Delicious Festival Dolomiti, the trail running event taking place in Cortina d'Ampezzo and the Badia Valley over the weekend of 29th– 30th September.
Three races are scheduled: the 43 km long Delicious Trail Dolomiti, the 33 km long Medium Delicious Trail Dolomiti, and the 22 km long Short Delicious Trail Dolomiti will wind through the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites.
For this seventh edition, there are many novelties. First of all, the main sponsor, Sustenium, the Menarini brand specialised in energising food supplements, which offers a wide range of specific products for all needs. Sustenium will provide the male and female winners of the three competitions with a kit containing various branded products. The company will also be present at the Pala Delicious Village with a product presentation and offer information and promotional material to make people aware of its assortment of nutritional supplements.
The many trail runners will be joined by another new partner: The North Face will offer running enthusiasts the opportunity to test the new VECTIV™ shoe collection. This line is perfectly adapted to the specific needs of runners and hikers on technical terrain, offering stability, excellent grip and exceptional shock absorption without compromising energy return. On this occasion, trail runners and anyone who wants to approach this sport can benefit from the advice of experts and ambassadors from the Local Running Team THE NORTH FACE, who will be on-site to explain how to optimise performance and the running experience thanks to VECTIV™ technology. Simply go to the stand, register for The North Face XPLR PASS, choose your shoe size and start running!
Please note that the main race, the Delicious Trail Dolomiti, starting from the centre of Cortina d'Ampezzo and finishing in Pocol, and the Short Trail Dolomiti, starting and finishing at Pocol, are already sold out while it is still possible to register for the Medium Trail Dolomiti, starting from the centre of La Villa in Alta Badia.
DELICIOUS FESTIVAL DOLOMITI
THE THREE RACES ARE NEARLY SOLD OUT
Cortina D’Ampezzo - Sport, nature, culinary delights and history merge into a unique event, the Delicious Festival Dolomiti, the trail running event taking place in Cortina d'Ampezzo and the Badia Valley over the weekend of 29th– 30th September. It is co-organised by L5T SPORT ASD, Consorzio Delicious Cortina and the Town Council of Cortina d'Ampezzo, and with the backing of Regole d'Ampezzo, the Parco Naturale delle Dolomiti d’Ampezzo, the Cortina branch of the Club Alpino Italiano, the Alta Badia Tourism Cooperative, Alta Badia Brand, and the Town Council of Badia.
This event is growing year after year. Not by chance, with almost a thousand participants from 20 counties, the three running routes are almost sold out.
THE RACES – There are three routes, differing in length and difficulty, to chose from. Those who are well-trained and familiar with challenging routes, many elevation gains and technical stretches can tackle the Delicious Trail Dolomiti (2 ITRA points and UTMB index EVENT 50K), covering approximately 43 kilometres with an elevation gain of 3,100 metres. The departure is scheduled in the heart of Cortina d'Ampezzo, in the shadow of the Minor Basilica’s bell tower. Then the route leads to Pocol, Croda Da Lago, 5 Torri, Nuvolau, Mt. Lagazuoi and the Falzarego Pass. It crosses no less than the most extensive open-air museum of the Great War fought at high altitude in the Dolomites. This stretch is followed by the probably most difficult section, the climb through the mine tunnel of Mt. Lagazuoi at an altitude of 2,647 metres. The finish line is in Pocol.
The route of the Medium Delicious Trail Dolomiti (1 ITRA point und UTMB index EVENT 50K) is 35 kilometres long with an elevation gain of 1.900 metres. The race starts in the Badia Valley, in the centre of La Villa/Stern. Then the trail leads to the beginning of the “Path of the Artists”, and proceeds uphill on the final section of the Altin ski track. Shortly after entering the forest, participants follow a path that leads directly to the Gran Risa slope, next to the start of the Alpine Ski World Cup giant slalom races. The route continues up the Gran Risa slope and reaches the Club Moritzino Refuge, the first stage of the medium-distance run. From the plateau, the route leads towards the Ütia de Bioch Refuge and then joins the path leading to the Pralongiá area and the Störes meadows. Then begins the descent to the Armentarola district, at the foot of the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. From there, an all-uphill trail takes the runners to the Scotoni Refuge, the last stage before reaching the summit of the Piccolo Lagazuoi at an altitude of 2,778 metres. Here begins the all-downhill trail to the finish line at Pocol.
The Short Delicious Trail Dolomiti (1 ITRA point und UTMB index EVENT 20K) is a race open to everyone, as long as they are trained and used to walking in the mountains. It is a 22 km long running race with an elevation gain of 1.300 metres, with the starting and finishing line at the Cortina district of Pocol. This route is equally spectacular, as it passes some highly scenic points such as the 5 Torri and the Nuvolau mountain group.
These are three truly exceptional races, with routes of rare beauty that, in addition to the sporting aspect, also offer culinary delights: the mountain refuges and restaurants located along the routes are a central feature of the event, offering the competitors delicious Ampezzo and South Tyrolean specialities.
IN ANTICIPATION OF THE DELICIOUS TRAIL DOLOMITI,
A SLOW TREKKING WITH CORTINA'S MOUNTAIN GUIDES
42 kilometres from sunset to dawn under a starry sky between the passes Giau and Falzarego
In anticipation of the Delicious Festival Dolomiti, the trail running event that will take place in Cortina d'Ampezzo and Alta Badia on the weekend of 29th-30th September, there will be the Delicious Slow Trekking.
Scheduled for the night of 29th July, this trek is organised by the Cortina Mountain Guides on a route that follows the path of the Delicious Trail Dolomiti. It is 42 kilometres long, covering approximately 3,100 metres of positive and negative difference in altitude between Pocol, Croda Da Lago, 5 Torri, Nuvolau, Lagazuoi and the Falzarego Pass, and passing through the largest open-air museum of the First World War fought at high altitude in the Dolomites.
The Delicious Slow Trekking is to be understood as a path of self-reflection, as a way of sensual contemplation of creation from sunset to dawn, and further on, until the evening of the following day, walking through the most beautiful mountains in the world.
This stunning trekking tour is treated calmly and safely, with no timetable. Only the starting time has been set.
This is an experience not to be missed since it is not every day that you can hike in the middle of the night under the starry sky and explore nature with the attentive guidance of the region's greatest experts.
Furthermore, you can enjoy the local specialities prepared at high altitudes by the mountain refuges and restaurants along the route, as during the Delicious Trail Dolomiti race.
The price for this trek is 130,00 euros per person and includes the accompaniment by a mountain guide throughout the route, food where foreseen, the insurance policy and a gift to mark the event at the end of the trekking tour.
For more information and registration, please visit the website: guidecortina.com
THE ORGANISERS OF THE DELICIOUS FESTIVAL WILL BE PART OF THE EVENT
WITH THE DELICIOUS CYCLING TEAM, A STAND IN THE MARATONA VILLAGE,
AND A REFRESHMENT POINT AT THE FALZAREGO PASS
Delicious Festival Dolomiti, the trail running event scheduled for 29th -30th September in Cortina d'Ampezzo and Alta Badia, will be present at the Maratona Dles Dolomites, the road cycling marathon scheduled for 2nd July. Delicious Festival Dolomiti will be represented by the Delicious Cycling Team (in collaboration with Fondazione Cortina Sport and Event Factory), a ten-member team that includes Alessio Camilli and Ludovica Rossi, who have each won an edition of the Delicious Trail Dolomiti and the Short Delicious; the other team members are Giampaolo Letta, Saverio Signori, Daniele Pelorossi, Roberto Menardi, Willi Alverà, Christian Ghedina, Andrea Cauterio and Massimo Pizzolotto.
The Maratona Dles Dolomites is one of the most famous Italian and international road cycling marathons, attracting cyclists from all over the world. Not by chance, every year there are three times more registration requests than available bibs, which are limited to 8,000.
THE DELICIOUS FESTIVAL DOLOMITI WILL BE THERE WITH A STAND AT THE MARATONA VILLAGE
The Delicious Festival Dolomiti will be represented with a stand at the Maratona Village in San Leonardo in Badia from 29th June (from 8 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.) to 1st July (from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
The Village is the ideal place to meet people and discover all the novelties concerning the world of cycling, but that's not all; it is also an important showcase for making one's own identity known, embracing the same values and passion as the Maratona Dles Dolomites. There will be over forty-five operators attending, with many stands, music and parades; the Delicious team will be there to introduce itself to the many sports fans.
Three races make up the Delicious Festival Dolomiti, scheduled for the end of September: the Delicious Trail Dolomiti, 43 km with 3,100 metres of elevation gain, the Medium Delicious Trail Dolomiti, 35 km with 1,900 metres of elevation gain, and the Short Delicious Trail Dolomiti, 22 km with 1,300 metres of elevation gain. These are three great competitions in the midst of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site; in addition to the sporting aspect, they also guarantee culinary delights: the mountain refuges and restaurants located along the routes offer the competitors delicious Ampezzo and South Tyrolean specialities.
THE DELICIOUS REFRESHMENT POINT AT THE FALZAREGO PASS
The Delicious Festival Dolomiti will be on-site at the Falzarego Pass, in addition to the traditional race refreshment area, with a 'Delicious' refreshment point offering many sweet and savoury Ampezzo specialities, to strengthen the participants and give them the energy to push even harder on the pedals.
An event that is not just a competition, but an adventure in nature, history, and taste.
Please note that registrations are open and will close when the maximum number is reached, namely:
350 entries for the Delicious Trail, the same number for the Medium, and 650 entries for the Short Delicious Trail.
The Delicious Festival Dolomiti is co-organised by L5T SPORT ASD, Consorzio Delicious Cortina and the Town Council of Cortina d'Ampezzo, and with the backing of Regole d'Ampezzo, the Parco Naturale delle Dolomiti d’Ampezzo, the Cortina branch of the Club Alpino Italiano, the Alta Badia Tourism Cooperative, Alta Badia Brand, and the Town Council of Badia.
Learn more on the websites www.delicioustrail.it and www.maratona.it
DELICIOUS FESTIVAL DOLOMITI: REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Three races, 43, 35 and 22 km respectively, are scheduled amidst nature, history and good taste
Registration is now open for the Delicious Festival Dolomiti, the trail running event taking place in Cortina d'Ampezzo and the Badia Valley over the weekend of 29th – 30th September, co-organised by L5T SPORT ASD, Consorzio Delicious Cortina and the Town Council of Cortina d'Ampezzo, and with the backing of Regole d'Ampezzo, the Parco Naturale delle Dolomiti d’Ampezzo, the Cortina branch of the Club Alpino Italiano, the Alta Badia Tourism Cooperative, Alta Badia Brand, and the Town Council of Badia.
Three trail-running races will be held on the trails of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site, amidst history, nature, flavourful food and overwhelming beauty.
THE THREE ROUTES
Now in its seventh edition, the Delicious Trail Dolomiti (2 ITRA points and UTMB index EVENT 50K), will be covering approximately 43 kilometres with an elevation gain of 3,100 metres. The race starts in the centre of Cortina, then the route leads to Pocol, Croda Da Lago, 5 Torri, Nuvolau, Mt. Lagazuoi and the Falzarego Pass. It crosses the most extensive open-air museum of the Great War fought at high altitude in the Dolomites and the Lagazuoi tunnel at 2,647 m above sea level. The finish line is in the Cortina district of Pocol.
For the second edition, the Medium Delicious Trail Dolomiti (1 ITRA point and UTMB index EVENT 50K) has been improved and slightly modified to make the race even more special. The route is 35 kilometres long with an elevation gain of 1,900 metres. The race starts in the Badia Valley, in the centre of La Villa/Stern, in front of the tourist office. The route follows for a stretch the “Path of the Artists”, takes the runners up to Mt. Lagazuoi at an altitude of 2,778 m, and then descends to the finish line at Pocol.
The seventh edition of the Short Delicious Trail Dolomiti (1 ITRA point and UTMB index EVENT 20K) is a 22 km long running race with an elevation gain of 1,300 metres, with the starting and finishing line in the Cortina district of Pocol. A shorter but equally spectacular route, as it passes some highly scenic points such as the 5 Torri and the
Nuvolau mountain group.
These are three truly exceptional races, with routes of rare beauty that, in addition to the sporting aspect, also offer culinary delights, the mountain refuges and restaurants located along the routes are a central feature of the event, offering the competitors delicious Ampezzo and South Tyrolean specialities.
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Press Office
IRENE RIGHETTI
Mob. + 39 347 2393404
E-mail. deliciousfestivaldolomiti@runningpost.it