I. The Exposition.
The setting of the Maratona dles Dolomites is Alta Badia (South Tyrol) in the heart of the stunning Dolomites. The gran fondo offers 3 different courses: Percorso Sellaronda (55 km, 1,780m of elevation gain), Percorso Medio (106 km, 3,130m of elevation gain), Percorso Maratona (138 km, 4,230m elevation gain). The start is given in La Villa and the finish is in Corvara, both situated in South Tyrol’s Alta Badia region.
You might not want to hear it, but it’s true: The Dolomites don’t give a damn about your pain and effort to chase seconds, but you should care about the beautiful scenery South Tyrol has to offer!
The audience of this spectacle are the thousands of locals, fans, and the friends and families of the racers that appreciate how the Maratona is more than just a gran fondo. It’s a vacation spent with our loved ones in the most scenic and beautiful part of the Alps. The Maratona has become an event of regional identification for the locals and an expression of pride as the event has grown naturally over the past 30 years attracting riders from all over the world today.
Those that can’t be on location are connected through social media or watching the race live on television. Grazie mille RAI for providing six hours of live broadcasting.
The actors are mostly non-professional riders from all over the world that either do this must-do-once-in-a-lifetime-challenge for the very first time (much like the author) or have returned again as they’ve become addicted to this play. On the start line at 5:30 am, every state of mind is represented: Excitement, nervousness, determination, joy and happiness. But above all, every rider on the start line relishes the fortune of being one of the lucky participants chosen to race. Over 30,000 riders apply every year, but only 9,000 riders are allowed to take on the challenge.
About the Author
Robin Schmitt
Robin is one of the two founders of 41 Publishing, a visionary and go-getter. While he now enjoys every second on the bike – whenever his busy schedule allows – he used to race against the clock at enduro events and a few Downhill World Cups. Besides that, Robin practises kung fu and Zen meditation, plays the cello, loves classic cars, travels abroad and still reviews numerous bikes himself. Progressive ideas, new projects and major challenges – Robin loves exploring undiscovered potential and getting to the bottom of new trends.
