Maratona dles Dolomites

Start of the Maratona dles Dolomites

The goal in Corvara

The three routes

The elevation profile of the marathon route

The Maratona dles Dolomites ( Ladin ; Italian: Maratona delle Dolomiti; German: Dolomitenmarathon ) is a road bike marathon in the South Tyrolean Dolomites region around Alta Badia , which has been held annually on the first Sunday in July since 1987 by the Comitato Maratona dles Dolomites , the organizing committee the Maratona dles Dolomites.

Although today's route is officially stated as 138 kilometers, it counts as a marathon due to the 4,230 meters in altitude to be mastered. The number of pre-registrations for the lottery procedure for participation regularly exceeds the capacity of the approximately 9,000 starting places by two to three times. Half of the places are given to Italians, the rest to more than 70 nations, with German cyclists making up the largest international group of participants. In addition to the Maratona itself, there is an extensive supporting program lasting several days, in which a charitable project is presented every year, which benefits from part of the starting fees.

route

The entire event is divided into three different lengths and levels of difficulty. While on the road, each participant can decide which of the routes to take:

Sellaronda route:	55 kilometers;	4 passes with 1780 meters of altitude
Middle distance:	106 kilometers;	7 passes with an altitude of 3130 meters
Maratona route:	138 kilometers;	8 passes with 4230 meters of altitude

The main route of the Maratona dles Dolomites leads over a total of 8 Dolomite passes. The launch will take place at 6:30 am since 2001 La Villa instead. About Corvara , the future goal, it goes with the Campolongo Pass to the famous Sella Ronda , consisting of the Pordoi , Sella and Gardena Pass . Every participant is free to end the Maratona afterwards. However, the destination area in Corvara must be crossed after 4 hours at the latest, otherwise the organizer forbids any further travel. For everyone else it goes a second time over the Campolongo Pass to Arabba and then towards Cernadoi. There another decision is made, either voluntarily or due to the time limit, for the shorter route over the Passo di Falzarego (south-west driveway) or the longer variant over the Passo di Giau and then the Passo di Falzarego from the east. Both routes unite at the top of the pass and lead to the finish with Passo Valparola over the last pass and back to Corvara.

The participants start in four groups. In the first group, in addition to a few guests of honor, there are mostly Italian semi-professionals, the actual race is usually held. The Italian TV broadcaster Rai Tre will broadcast the event until the award ceremony around 12 noon.

Since 2006, the entire route during the Maratona dles Dolomites has been closed to car traffic for around 8 hours, and there are severe restrictions for motorized traffic throughout the day.

history

The first Maratona dles Dolomites took place in 1987, with 166 cyclists from Italy, Austria and Germany taking part. Eduard Tavella and Moritz Craffonara wanted to organize a special cycling meeting on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of their Alta Badia-Raiffeisen cycling club . The route at that time led from Pedraces (today: Badia) over 175 kilometers through the Dolomites. The drivers were more or less on their own, and it happened that one or the other simply spent the night in one of the villages along the route in bad weather.
In the first two years, the organizers had to struggle with financial difficulties. But the number of participants increased and in 1990 it had already reached almost 1,000 cyclists from 12 nations. From the mid-1990s, between 6,000 and 6,500 people were admitted to the event, the logistics were professionalized, and the organization of the routes, registration and catering were placed in the hands of the committee. In addition, over 1,000 volunteers helped out at the events (1,300 in 2013).
In 2003 the number of participants was increased to 8,000 to 8,500 cyclists, from 2007 to 9,000 places to be raffled plus additional VIP, charity and flat-rate tickets, which can be purchased for a surcharge. The route has been in the form described since 2001, and La Villa established itself as the starting point instead of Pedraces. Before that, the route had been changed several times: In the 1990s there were four different route lengths, of which the marathon route was 194 kilometers and also led over the Passo Fedaia and Forcella Staulanza , among other things .
Since 2011 the Maratona has been part of the "Five Star League", founded in September 2010, the amalgamation of the five most important amateur long-distance races in Italy (Granfondo): Maratona delle Dolomiti, Granfondo Sportful, Granfondo Pinarello, Granfondo Felice Gimondi and Granfondo Nove Colli. The more than 40,000 participants undertake to meet sport ethical, health and ecological requirements. In addition, the Maratona bears the name of its main sponsor ENEL in the title.
In 2016, Manuel Bottazzo designed a new logo for the event on the occasion of the 30th edition. Corvara was also the destination of the 14th stage of the Giro d'Italia 2016, which follows the original Maratona route from kilometer 85 (from Arraba).

Charity projects

In 2002, the Dolomites Marathon was first put under a motto that is also visually implemented on the participant's jersey. From 2005 the respective motto will be linked to a charitable project. Since then, the starter package, which is given out by the sponsors to the cyclists, has been accompanied by a painted picture that comes from one of the children from the project, to whom part of the entry fee is donated. In 2006 there was also a Tibetan friendship bracelet that should be worn during the marathon as a sign of solidarity.

It is important for the organizers, above all President Michil Costa, who heads the organizing committee, to set standards and, beyond the marathon, to promote solidarity and responsibility for nature, children and society.

Projects of the past years

year	motto	Charity project
2019	tomorrow	Fundraising campaign in favor of the municipalities of Colle Santa Lucia and Livinallongo for reforestation after a storm in 2018 Project to produce honey in the Karamoja region (Association "Insieme si può") Healthy Seas, joint venture of NGO to clean up the seas of garbage Association Alex Zanardi BIMBINGAMBA Südtiroler Sporthilfe
2018	balance	Project in Uganda for the establishment of student dormitories of the Kangole Boys Primary School (Association "Insieme si può") Costa Family Foundation Onlus for the establishment of a new family house in Jhamtse Gatsal in the area Tawang - Arunachal Pradesh in India Verein Alex Zanardi BIMBINGAMBA Südtiroler Sporthilfe
2017	love	Environmental project in Uganda and for the rescue of the people in the precarious areas of northern Uganda (Association "Insieme si può") Association Alex Zanardi BIMBINGAMBA Südtiroler Sporthilfe
2016	travel	Project in Uganda for the integration of disabled children and young people (association "Insieme si può") Association Alex Zanardi BIMBINGAMBA Südtiroler Sporthilfe
2015	forgiveness	Project in Uganda to improve access to (school) education (association "Insieme si può") Association Alex Zanardi BIMBINGAMBA Südtiroler Sporthilfe
2014	time	Project in Uganda to improve the water sanitary area (Association "Insieme si può") Association Alex Zanardi BIMBINGAMBA, which produces implants for children with amputated limbs, Südtiroler Sporthilfe
2013	harmony	Project in Uganda to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities (Association "Insieme si può") Südtiroler Sporthilfe
2012	smile	two projects in Togo and Uganda to build schools and educational institutions (association "Insieme si può") Südtiroler Sporthilfe
2011	25th	A total of 25 projects are supported and implemented by the "Insieme si può" association, the South Tyrolean Sporthilfe, the South Tyrolean Rural Emergency Fund, the "La Strada-Der Weg" association and the South Tyrolean Cancer Aid
2010	Eco? Logical!	Project "Acqua Pulita" in Uganda by the association "Insieme si può" from Belluno Sporthilfe Bozen for the financial support of talented athletes
2009	energy	Project to set up a welfare room and equip a school in Burkina Faso with solar panels (Mission Group Meran) Association Sporthilfe for financial support of talented athletes
2008	traces	Project for the reforestation of a few hectares of mountain landscape in the Sierra of Ecuador ( Andes ) (Missionsgruppe Meran)
2007	drops	Construction of water wells in Africa (Missionsgruppe Meran)
2006	Colours	Tibetan Children's Village (boarding schools for refugee children) in Tibet
2005	Angel	Support from Peter Pan - Association for Children with Cancer - South Tyrol ( ONLUS )
2004	family
2003	Disabled person
2002	Women

Racing ratings

year	km	Attendees	category	winner	NAT.	time
2019	138	9192	M.	Elettrico Tommaso	ITA	4:36
			F.	Intoxication Christina	GER	5:22
2018	138	9382	M.	Elettrico Tommaso	ITA	4:38
			F.	Intoxication Christina	GER	5:19
2017	138	9305	M.	Elettrico Tommaso	ITA	4:37
			F.	Magnaldi Erica	ITA	5:16
2016	138	9302	M.	Nardecchia Cristian	ITA	4:40:29
			F.	Lancioni Barbara	ITA	5:14
2015	138	9302	M.	Salimbene Luigi	ITA	4:44
2014	138	8969	M.	Cecchini Stefano	ITA	4:44:15
2013	138	9143	M.	Snel Michel	NLD	4:43:29
2012	138	8705	M.	Burrow Jamie	GBR	4:38:24
2011	138	9121	M.	Sorrenti Mazzocchi Giuseppe	ITA	4:33:55
2010	138	9066	M.	Kairelis Dainius	LTU	4:35:52
2009	138	9171	M.	Burrow Jamie	GBR	4:37:56
2008	138	9409	M.	Negrini Emanuele	ITA	4:29:05
2007	138	8993	M.	Jones Timothy	RSA	4:32:28
2006	138	8864	M.	Negrini Emanuele	ITA	4:23:31
2005	147	8820	M.	Negrini Emanuele	ITA	4:28:52
2004	147	8338	M.	Negrini Emanuele	ITA	4:31:38
2003	147	8119	M.	Negrini Emanuele	ITA	4:38:04
2002	147	7565	M.	Bachini Maurizio	ITA	4:32:57
2001	147	7000	M.	Puglioli Mirko	ITA	4:38:55
2000	147	7058	M.	Bruseghin Marzio	ITA	4:38:29
1999	174	6394	M.	Moretti Roberto	ITA	5:28:02
1998	174	6097	M.	Paganessi Alessandro	ITA	5:43
1997	185	5808	M.	Paganessi Alessandro	ITA	6:02
1996	185	6463		Bertozzi Daniele	ITA	6:22
1995	185	6674	M.	Bertozzi Daniele	ITA	6:10
1994	185	5031	M.	Anderlini Giuliano	ITA	6:25
1993	185	3095	M.	Anderlini Giuliano	ITA	6:51
1992	194	2583	M.	Eater Peter	GER	6:14
1991	184	1292	M.	Fiscato Pasquale	ITA	7:02
1990	184	951	M.	Anderlini Giuliano	ITA	7:19
1989	184	541		(Race canceled due to bad weather)
1988	184	440		(No time decrease)
1987	175	166	M.	Steinmair Wolfgang	AUT	10:15

Personalities

From the Val Badia originating Maria Canin is one of the most successful women cyclists in Italy. Among other things, she won the women's Tour de France twice and was multiple Italian champion in road racing and time trial. She is personally committed to the Maratona, offers guided tours every year and can be found at various supporting events.
The Italian Emanuele Negrini was named "King of the Dolomites" by the television station Rai Tre after his fourth victory in the Maratona dles Dolomites in 2006 . In 2008 he won the marathon for the fifth time, making him the most successful starter in the race classification.

Significance for the region

The Dolomites Marathon is an essential part of the Alta Badia Tourist Board's efforts to market the popular Dolomiti Superski region for cycling in summer as well. Since 2003, 1,500 overnight guests have been accommodated through special marathon package deals from the provider Holimites. The number of overnight stays at the event has been increasing for years and, according to the committee, amounts to around 60% of the total capacity of the Alta Badia region, whose main ski season is winter.

Many volunteers, schools and associations in the Alta Badia, Val di Fassa and Gröden regions decorate houses along the route on the day of the event, provide groups in traditional costumes, music bands and much more, and take care of the participants. With a mountain time trial from Arabba to the Pordoi Pass, a week before the actual marathon, the committee starts a cycling week with pass tours led by Maria Canins, lectures and information about the region. The Sellaronda Bike Day has been held on a weekend since 2006 , during which the Sellaronda is closed to motorized traffic. There are also various mountain bike events.

Individual evidence

1. ^ Lodovico Scolari: The father of the cycling marathon - Interview . In: Gotes - Gocce - Drops. Participant booklet 2007.
2. ↑ Five Star League ( Memento of the original from October 3, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , accessed October 2, 2015. 
3. ↑ cf. Greetings from President Michil Costa: Tashi Delek! In: Colori - Colors participant booklet 2006.
4. ↑ cf. Greetings from President Michil Costa: A drop . In: Gotes - Gocce - Drops participant booklet 2007.
5. ↑ Information from the press office of the "Maratona dles Dolomites" committee Str. Damez 34 I-39036 Badia (Bolzano)
6. ↑ www.holimites.com ( Memento of the original from March 14, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. about the marathon 

Web links

Commons : Maratona dles Dolomites  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

• Maratona dles Dolomites Homepage of the organizer
• Sellaronda Bike Day
• Alta Badia Official website of the Alta Badia Tourist Office
• Mission group Meran partner for the charity projects 2007, 2008 and 2009
• Insieme si può partner of the charity project since 2010