16. Halbmarathon der drei Gemeinden
16th Half marathon of the three municipalities
Travellers on the A22, the "Autostrada del Brennero", know the steep and narrow valley to the south of Bolzano in Italy's northernmost province of Alto Adige (South Tyrol). However, most of them just pass through on their way from the Alps to Lake Garda or to the Mediterranean Sea.
They should have a break and go for a nice run through the apple orchards that cover the whole valley floor, and enjoy the views of the steep mountains on both sides of valley, preferably on the last Sunday in October, when the Maratonina dei Tre Comuni is held.
This flat and fast half marathon is the final race of the "Top 7", a series of five prestigious road races in South Tyrol. Many good runners and handcyclists will be there for sure.
The race starts off in the small town of Laives and travels through the village of Bronzolo and across the River Adige and the motorway to the village of Vadena (German: Pfatten), where some runners will try to win the intermediate sprint at the 8.6km mark. You then cross the river again and run a long loop through the orchards to the finish in Bronzolo, about 4km from the start.
South Tyrol is a mainly German-speaking province but in this area you will hear more people speaking Italian.
The course records are held by Said Boudalia (1:04:11) and Renate Rungger (1:17:42).
Country: Italy
Venue (Map): Laives / Leifers (10km from Bolzano, 130km from Innsbruck, 147km from Verona)
Date: 25 October 2009 (Sunday)
Race distance: 21.1km (IAAF certified)
Start: 9.30 Laives, zona sportiva "Galizia"
Finish: Bronzolo (German: Branzoll), approximately 4km from the start
Entries: by phone, fax, or e-mail, payment by bank transfer until 24 October 2009 (18.00h); late entries until 30 minutes before the start
Entry fees: 26 EUR (this includes 5 EUR deposit for the timing chip and 1 EUR for charity); late entries: additional 10 EUR
Race centre: at the start in Laives
You get: timing chip, a cool bag, pasta party after the race; bus service after the race (from Bronzolo to Laives)
Prizes: prize money to the first 3 M/F, to the first M/F at the 8.6km mark, for a new course record, to the best 3 teams (5 runners), to the largest team, to the first 5 handcyclists
Showers and changing facilities: changing rooms at the start (football stadium) and showers at the finish in Bronzolo (sports hall)
Number of finishers 2008: 283; 18 handcyclists
Event website (in German and Italian): www.maratoninadeitrecomuni.it
No guarantee is made as to the accuracy or thoroughness of the information on this page.