More than 600 mountain runners at the Stuiben Trail Run
In its sixth edition, the Stuiben Trail Run attracted ambitious participants from 26 nations to scenic Ötztal. The event around Tirol's largest waterfall in Umhausen had a top-class starting field coupled with impressive sporting performances. Austria's Markus Lindl won the supreme discipline over 42 KM, while Melina Vollmer from Germany triumphed in the women's race.
Already in previous years, the mountain running event gathered the elite of running sports in Ötztal. Well-known names from the international trail running scene were again at the start in 2023: Sebastian Hallmann (GER), Basilia Förster (ITA) and Johanna Åström (SWE). Almost half of the runners came from Germany.
Due to the prevailing snow conditions, the routes had to be adapted. Markus Lindl won the Stuiben Trail 42 K (39 kilometers and 2,300 altitude meters) with a lead of 0.1 seconds over Dominik Hohenleitner (03:55:17.4). Rene Mair took third place in 4:06:14.3. The women's class was dominated by Melina Vollmer in 4:59:03.1 ahead of Basilia Förster and Leonie Eisebraun.
728 steps for everyone
The participants faced several challenges - including the sprint distance over four kilometers and 450 altitude meters, in which 50 athletes competed. 150 runners mastered the Stuiben Trail 12 K over 12.5 km and 700 altitude meters while 170 runners tackled the Stuiben Trail 24 K over 26.1 km and 1,500 altitude meters. The ultimate challenge - the Stuiben Trail 42 K covering 39 km and 2,300 altitude meters - was mastered by a total of 120 participants.
In the sprint competitions on the day prior to the main race, Tirol's largest waterfall really challenged all participants: the course led over 728 steel and natural steps along the rushing Stuiben Fall waters. James Latimer and Birgit Posselt were the winners in these categories. Temperatures and conditions during the races were ideal for spectators and athletes alike.
Certain of success
Some of the top athletes traveled to Umhausen for the Stuiben Trail 24 K, including Andreas Rieder, Christian Stern, Sebastian Hallmann and Andreas Kälin. This guaranteed pure excitement at the competition. Austria's Andreas Rieder won the race in an impressive 2:11:10.5 hours ahead of Christian Stern and Fabian Jenne. In the women's class, Sweden’s Johanna Åström won in only 2:41:20.6 hours, followed by Jana Schmider and Cornelia Paulmichl.
Highlights in the Trail Run Calendar
Martin Scheiber, chairman of the "Ötztal Trail Running" association, drew an extremely positive balance: "We are very pleased with the encouragement of the entire community. The huge enthusiasm is also reflected in the number of registrations.” The route and the event organization were highly praised. Since trail running is a sport that is particularly close to nature, the organizers attach great importance to protecting the environment, for example by using regional products at the events, avoiding waste along the route and recommending public transport for the athletes’ arrival journey.
Scheiber is already looking forward to the next highlight in the region: the Glacier Trail Run in Gurgl on 21 and 22 July 2023, where disciplines with distances of up to 61.1 kilometers and 3,600 altitude meters will challenge the athletes.
Information and pictures:
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Ötztal Tourismus
PR & Media
ANNA PIRCHER
anna.pircher@oetztal.com
T +43 (0) 57200 935
