That a mountain race cross a glacier, the highest in Austria, in 2025 is both an alert and a claim. The debut of the in the country, in the Pitztal Valley, one of the most emblematic of Tyrol, was halfway, because nature, the only one that distributes the invitations, decided that it was not safe to approach that ice alive. The thing remained at a 20 -kilometer mud festival with 1,200 meters of positive slope with two different finals. The masculine, in which the Kenians domesticated the circumstances with four runners in the top-5, as a marathon in asphalt in a diametrically opposite context. This is how Timothy Kibett joined the record. And the female, without African among the top four, because of Naomi Lang, the British who took the victory, and, who positions himself in the general with his second place in a land traced to that of his Guipuzcoan training courtyard, half a minute of his first victory in the circuit.
Austria positioned himself as a fertile land for the trail after the World Cups in 2023. The same organizer, Alexander Pittl, put on the table his crown jewel, a race that he collected a decade ago to rename it with its great attraction: Pitz Alpine Glacier Trail. “It is a home for the trail running. Mountains, truly technical paths and precious views.” From Mandefen, in the heart of the valley – about 1,700 meters above sea level – to coffee 3440, a viewpoint surrounded by three thousands and with the imposing glacier in front, a panoramic view that explains the dimensions of the place and its changing meteorology, because the fog that hides all those peaks gives way to the sun in just half an hour. A valley with 380 kilometers of paths and 121 ski slopes that the Germans, just over an hour, squeeze all year. “And you can run on a glacier.”
That idea seduced Pittl. Thus was born a weekend with several races: from a minimum mileage – those of 45, 90 and 105 – it is time to take a bite half a kilometer to the glacier, at 3,100 meters. The runners carry small crampons that fit to enter the ice mantle and mountain rescuers say so. “Every year we have less glacier to cross because climate change is a fact and is also here,” he emphasizes with some sadness. “We are going to inhale nature while we can enjoy it. Maybe it stays in our minds and allows us to change. It would be a shame that we do not have this in 20 years. Our work as a society is to keep it for our children.” That forces a maximum of sustainability: the more than 7,000 runners that are ready for Innsbruck are 1,400 here. “The rescue in this area is very dangerous.”
The Golden career demanded a minimum of Itra points – the International Federation – that limited in practice the participation of 94 men and 99 women. While they warmed between intense rain and the fog covered the mountains they had to ascend, the brave ones who had traveled the summits from midnight, refugees in the heat of the tents and an experience to share: the thermal sensation below zero and the effects of an exhausted body, from the hands to the lungs, had already reached the goal. The organization was seen at 11 in the morning, half an hour from the exit, with snow falling at 2,500 meters and a mist that made the television signal impossible, the reason why this designed ad hoc journey avoided from the beginning cross the glacier. It had to reach Grubenkopf, at 2,900, but the circumstances led to cutting that increase of 560 meters of positive unevenness in 2.2 kilometers. The top would be the huge lake of Sunna Alm, at 2,300. That changing meteorology made when the runners arrived there the time was almost paradisiac: without rain or wind and with a visible mountain line above. But the decision was already taken.
The Kenyanas who did not want to jogging on the eve because they were raining were chasing Lang Mountain above, stumbling into the wet stone, like everyone else. , he hunted her in the lake, but could not follow her excellent technique in an muddy descent, with the aggravating slope. Honey on flakes for Malen Osa, pure Euskadi. In another race from less to more, he climbed to being second. The British won in 1h49m51s, 29s less than her, her roommate at the Mandefen hotel, which will arrive with full options to the final of October, because she is third in the general after adding two bronzes to La Plata in Austria. 3m39s, fourth, María Fuentes arrived, a blow on the table. Faith Kiphat, Quinta, was the first African.
In a collective demonstration. Kibett resolved his duel against Samwel Kiprich for just 4s to win with 1h32m43s. The resistance was put by the American Taylor Stuck, attacking and completing the podium to just 57s, ahead of Michael Saoli and Nashon Kiplimo. The circuit director, Greg Vollet, praises them. “They do not win because they are Kenyanos, but for the strict ones who are in their training. They make so much difference uploading that they can then download calm. The rest has to improve to reach their level, but they are human.” A mission that demands perfection, in physical form and strategy. An impossible task for candidates such as Cesare Maestri, after a month without running after falling on the bike, or Christian Allen, with a touched ankle. And it is not precisely a dispensable joint to throw down the forest between Zetas embraced by the mud, which hides roots and cheat stones. What was dry would be a pleasure of turns and starts becomes precarious support at full speed. Nature puts the rules.
