Monte Rosa Walser Waeg by UTMB joins UTMB World Series circuit in Aosta Valley, Italy
Press Release / 18.07.2024
UTMB World Series is proud to welcome a prestigious event into the circuit: the Monte Rosa Walser Waeg by UTMB, which will take place in the Aosta Valley, in the Italian Alps, from July 18 to 20, 2025.
The event offers two new distances with the addition of 100M and 100K challenges, which will take runners on an alpine adventure to remember through the majestic peaks of the Italian Alps, following in the footsteps of mountaineers and alpine guides. Throughout this epic journey, runners will encounter vibrant local communities and ancient villages all rich in tradition and legend. The routes have been designed to provide runners with access to unexplored trails, on which they will experience breathtaking views of the Lyskamm glacier and the imposing Monte Rosa massif.
The 100M starts in Aosta and the 100K race in Pont Saint Martin before passing through 20 communes in the eastern corner of the Aosta Valley, including Cervina and Val d'Ayas, and the villages of Gressoney-Saint-Jean and Gressoney-La-Trinité - the start and finish lines for the 50K and 20K routes. Along the way runners will discover famous landmarks such as the Saint Barthelemy Astronomical Observatory, and the very special villages of Chamois and La Magdeleine.
This event was created 3 years ago, born of two local children's love for the Aosta Valley, trail running and their mountains. Giuditta Turini and Franco Colle are both elite athletes with an impressive track record. This year alone Giuditta placed 2nd in the 100M at La Sportiva® Lavaredo Ultra Trail® by UTMB® 2024, and 1st in the Nestru Ultramarathon 2024 Babai Trail (20K). Franco, meanwhile, finished 3rd in the 2016 TDS, recently took 1st place in the Nestru Ultramarathon 2024 (50K) and has 4 Tor des Géants® victories to his name.
Giuditta and Franco, now the event's technical directors, say: “Every Monte Rosa Walser Waeg by UTMB race will give runners an opportunity to experience the wonder and enchantment that once captivated the pioneers of these legendary routes. We're delighted to be joining the UTMB World Series circuit, and to be able to offer runners a new perspective of the Aosta Valley, from the Matterhorn to the majestic Monte Rosa.”
The event's name, Monte Rosa Walser Waeg by UTMB, is a blend of Italian and German deriving from its geographical location. In this part of the Valle d'Aosta - a crossroads of peoples and cultures - the population mainly speaks Italian, but also the Walser language, a variant of a south German dialect that closely resembles Swiss German in its most archaic form.
To find out more about the Monte Rosa Walser Waeg by UTMB, click here.
