The Countdown is on for the Salomon Zugspitz Ultratrail
News Release / 21.06.2011
In a few days the wait will be over for about 750 participants of the premiere of the Salomon Zugspitz Ultratrail! The starting shot for the Ultratrail of 101 km and 5,600m in altitude difference will sound in the early morning of June 25, at 7:15, in the Zugspitze village of Grainau.The Salomon Zugspitz Supertrail will be started at 9:00, in Leutasch, in the district of Weidach, and lead its 350 participants on 69.8 km and 3,300 meters of altitude difference toward the finish in the Zugspitze village of Grainau. The Petzl Nightsprint taking place Friday night at 22:00 is the runner’s opening to the trail running weekend in Grainau.
<b>Late Registrations Still Possible</b>
Registrations are still possible for all competitions. "The maximum number of participants is limited to 1000 starters for the Salomon Zugspitz Supertrail and Salomon Zugspitz Ultratrail. That means that on the long distances, too, there are still open spots," says Heinrich Albrecht of PLAN B event company GmbH. "Especially regarding the PETZL Nightsprint we are expecting a lot of spur-of-the-moment registrations on-site,†Albrecht goes on saying.
<b>Top Runners</b>
International top runners Ryan Sandes from South Africa and both Spaniards Miguel Heras and Iker Karrera are the favorites. However, German top runners Christian Stork, Matthias Dippacher, Uli Calmbach, Jens Lukas and Thomas Miksch also have very good chances of reaching a top placing.
Runners from a total of 24 nations are participating. In the women’s category, Salomon athlete Julia Böttger is among the favorites. Vying for a top result does pay off: the organizer offers a total of 5,000 Euros in prize money, which will be awarded during the large awards ceremony and party taking place at the Musikpavillon on Sunday morning from 10:00.
<b>Grainau Dominated by Trail Running</b>
Grainau, the start and finish venue of the event, will this weekend be completely dedicated to the Salomon Zugspitz Ultratrail. Numerous spectators are expected from all over the Zugspitze region to cheer on runners along the course and on their way to the finish line. The best locations for spectators alongside the course are the Eibseealm, Ehrwalder Alm, Hämmermoosalm, Geisterklamm and the Ferchensee as well as the Valley Station Längenfelder and the Mountain Station Alpspitzbahn.
A rich set of side events in Grainau will be offering visitors and fans enough opportunities besides the race to see for themselves what the Zugspitze village has to offer. So it is definitely not going to be boring. The first runner of the Salomon Zugspitz Supertrail is expected to come in at about 16:15, the winner of the Salomon Zugspitz Ultratrail in the early evening at about 18:00. Each of the three runners to come in first in the overall classification will enjoy their victory, and then dance the night away at the large party from 21:00, featuring live music. If you’re still standing in the wee hours of the morning and want to welcome the other participants of the Salomon Zugspitz Ultratrail at the finish, the Bayerische Frühschoppen starting from 6:00 will have you covered.
