So the evenings are getting lighter, the temperatures are back in double figures and the first signs of spring are appearing on my regular stomping ground - the North Downs. We're now well into 2012 and the Gore-Tex Transalpine Run is now only six months away! How time has flown since signing up to this race way back in 2011. Preparations have started to take place - the important bit is done - we're entered! Flights are also booked and a training plan is coming together (slowly). More on this in another post, but for now I thought it might be worthwhile giving a bit of info about the race itself.
2012 will be the eighth running of the Gore-Tex Transalpine run, an eight day stage race through arguably Europe's best known mountain range. The Alps spill into no less than seven countries and during the race we'll have the pleasure to visit three of these. Starting in the German border town of Ruhpolding, the race quickly enters true alpine country as it crosses the border into Austria on the first day. The next three days are spent traversing Austria's finest mountain terrain before crossing into northern Italy. The final four days loop through the northern Dolomites before finishing in the town of Sexten.
Traversing a whole country over a four day period is no mean feat and the stats add up to back this up. The whole route is in the region of 320KM and therefore averages 40KM per day, or, to put it in simple terms for your average Joes, about a marathon a day. Of course, the race doesn't divide up so nicely; day one is a whopping great 49.6KM and is fortunately the longest day. The shortest day, day five, is a meager 32.8KM.
Each day, or stage, is expected to take the leading teams around 4 hours, give or take an hour depending on the distance, height gain and terrain. Times are accumulated over the eight stages to decide the overall finishing positions and the winning time is historically somewhere between 24 and 30 hours. There's no rest day or 'easy' day as there may have been in previous years. Hopefully it does not seem too much like a walk in the park, and I haven't even mentioned the climb yet!
It's no surprise that the Transalpine Run is mountainous to say the least. Ruhpolding, the start line and lowest point on the course sits at 656m above sea level. The high point, a pass at Birnlucke in Austria, reached mid way through stage four, sits a couple of kilometres higher at an impressive 2665m. All but two of the stages exceed the 2000m mark at one time or another and the total climb is expected to be at least 15000m. Or, back in average Joe's terms, nearly twice the height of Everest (or 50 Eiffel Towers or 40 Empire State Buildings for the urbanites amongst our readership).
Of course, the Transalpine Run is not just a challenge but a race as well. There are five categories to be contested, all for teams of two. Myself and Andy are a little shy of the veteran mark of a combined eighty years (a sprightly fifty two at the last count!!) and therefore will be competing amongst the elite in the Men's category. There are 275 teams from all over the world all in all, of which about 90 are senior men's teams. A top 100 category finish should be possible then!
We'll take a more in depth look at the individual stages in the coming months but for now, sit back, relax and take in the scenery (and if you're entered, start to dream):
2012 will be the eighth running of the Gore-Tex Transalpine run, an eight day stage race through arguably Europe's best known mountain range. The Alps spill into no less than seven countries and during the race we'll have the pleasure to visit three of these. Starting in the German border town of Ruhpolding, the race quickly enters true alpine country as it crosses the border into Austria on the first day. The next three days are spent traversing Austria's finest mountain terrain before crossing into northern Italy. The final four days loop through the northern Dolomites before finishing in the town of Sexten.
Traversing a whole country over a four day period is no mean feat and the stats add up to back this up. The whole route is in the region of 320KM and therefore averages 40KM per day, or, to put it in simple terms for your average Joes, about a marathon a day. Of course, the race doesn't divide up so nicely; day one is a whopping great 49.6KM and is fortunately the longest day. The shortest day, day five, is a meager 32.8KM.
Each day, or stage, is expected to take the leading teams around 4 hours, give or take an hour depending on the distance, height gain and terrain. Times are accumulated over the eight stages to decide the overall finishing positions and the winning time is historically somewhere between 24 and 30 hours. There's no rest day or 'easy' day as there may have been in previous years. Hopefully it does not seem too much like a walk in the park, and I haven't even mentioned the climb yet!
It's no surprise that the Transalpine Run is mountainous to say the least. Ruhpolding, the start line and lowest point on the course sits at 656m above sea level. The high point, a pass at Birnlucke in Austria, reached mid way through stage four, sits a couple of kilometres higher at an impressive 2665m. All but two of the stages exceed the 2000m mark at one time or another and the total climb is expected to be at least 15000m. Or, back in average Joe's terms, nearly twice the height of Everest (or 50 Eiffel Towers or 40 Empire State Buildings for the urbanites amongst our readership).
Of course, the Transalpine Run is not just a challenge but a race as well. There are five categories to be contested, all for teams of two. Myself and Andy are a little shy of the veteran mark of a combined eighty years (a sprightly fifty two at the last count!!) and therefore will be competing amongst the elite in the Men's category. There are 275 teams from all over the world all in all, of which about 90 are senior men's teams. A top 100 category finish should be possible then!
We'll take a more in depth look at the individual stages in the coming months but for now, sit back, relax and take in the scenery (and if you're entered, start to dream):
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