16th South Tyrol Marathon and 17th Half Marathon

You may be forgiven for thinking that South Tyrol is a better place for mountain running than for a flat and fast marathon. Alto Adige, as it is called in Italian, is Italy's northernmost province in the Alps with numerous peaks over 3,000 metres.

However, to the south of Bolzano there is a long and very flat valley along the River Adige, just about three kilometres wide and framed by steep mountains.

The valley floor is at an elevation of 213m, and the highest point of the course is at 233m. Only between the kilometre marks 6 and 10 you run very mildly uphill. The race consists of one 21km-lap for the half marathon and two laps for the marathon.

The start and the finish are in the old village of Neumarkt (Italian: Egna) with its picturesque medieval arcades. More than 61 per cent of the local population speak German as a first language.

The route takes you across the river and then southwards through orchards and vineyards to the pretty villages of Magré and Cortina all'Adige on the South Tyrolean Wine Route. Along the way you will be greeted by live music at four stations.

The fast route with few twists and turns in combination with the moderate temperatures at the beginning of October offers a great chance to clock a fast time.

In 2008, Sabine Fischer from Switzerland won the half marathon in 1:13:26, Kenya's David Cherono Toniok came home in 1:03:27.

Julius Choge Kirwa, also from Kenya, set a new marathon course record of 2:12:10. Edit Niederfriniger, a professional triathlete from South Tyrol, was first lady in 2:50:21.

Country: Italy

Venue (Map): Neumarkt/Egna (Bolzano 24km, Trento 35km, Innsbruck 140km, Ljubljana 365km)

Date: 4 October 2009 (Sunday)

Race distance: 21.1km, 42.2km (IAAF/AIMS certified)

Start time: 9.00 (marathon); 11.00 (half marathon)

Start and finish: Neumarkt/Egna

Race course: course map (out of date)

Entries: advance entries online (Einschreibung/Iscrizione) until 3rd October, 8pm; payment on arrival in the race centre in Neumarkt; late entries on the day

Entry fees (21km): 20 EUR (advance entries); 40 EUR (late entries on the day)

Entry fees (42km): 35 EUR (advance entries); 50 EUR (late entries on the day)

Timing: Real Time Championchip (10 EUR deposit)

Race centre: Haus Unterland (Saturday from 14.00 to 20.00 and Sunday from 7.00 to 10.45)

You get: a T-Shirt or a towel; apples; marathon medal

Prizes: first 5 M/F (marathon); first 3 M/F (half marathon); first 3 in the categories (from 12.00 to 15.00 in the race centre); prizes are not cumulative

Showers and changing facilities: Mittelschule Neumarkt

Baggage storage: Haus Unterland

Presentation: 12.30 on the main square in Neumarkt

Number of finishers 2008: 330 (half marathon), 101 (marathon)

Event Website (in German and Italian): www.suedtirol-marathon.eu

No guarantee is made as to the accuracy or thoroughness of the information on this page! Please visit the official event website to verify the above information.