Grotta Gigante, Trieste (Italy), Sunday 25  November 2012

The Cronotraversata del Maestro time trial running race through the world's largest tourist cave — the Grotta Gigante ("Giant Cave") near the port of Trieste in the north-east of Italy — is a unique and spectacular event.

Two hundred and fifty runners are allowed to take part in the race.

Runners start at 30-second intervals. The route is approximately 1600 metres long. The fastest finishers need less than nine minutes to complete the course.

The first 800 metres are a flat multi-terrain run on roads and trails through the Karst village of Borgo Grotta Gigante.

The second half of the race is run on the internal staircase of the cave — at first 500 steps down to the bottom of the cave (about 120 metres of elevation change) and then 500 steps up to the exit.

Participants are well advised to wear protective gloves as the handrails of the staircase might be a bit rough and rusty.

Race report, photos and results: Cronotraversata del Maestro 2011

Photos and results: Cronotraversata del Maestro 2013

Country: Italy

Venue (Map): Grotta Gigante (Trieste city centre 13km, Udine 67km, Ljubljana 90km, Venice 154km)

Date: 25 November 2012 (Sunday)

Race distance: ca. 1.6km

Start time: 10.00 (start at 30-second intervalls)

Start and finish: at the Grotta Gigante Visitor Centre

Entries: by fax or e-mail (until 23 November 2012); payment by bank transfer; late entries on the day if race limit of 250 runners has not been reached

Entry fees: € 15 (until 23 Nov 2012); € 20 (until 25 Nov 2012)

Timing: chip timing (included in the entry fees)

Race centre: Grotta Gigante Visitor Centre (on the day 8.00-9.30)

You get: chip timing; a souvenir gift; snacks and drinks at the finish; pasta party after the race; two tickets for a free guided tour through Grotta Gigante (valid on the day after the race)

Prizes: to the first 10 men and 5 women

Number of finishers 2012: 201

Event website (in Italian): www.caicim.it

No guarantee is made as to the accuracy or thoroughness of the information on this page.