Last year’s winner, course record setter and wearing bib number one is Hannes Namberger (DEU) who will be looking to retain his title in the main race, the Lavaredo Ultra Trail, which is 120 kms long with 5,800 metres of elevation gain. Looking to challenge Namberger is Alto Adige native Andreas Reiterer (ITA). Reiterer will wear bib number two and is looking to make a comeback after being unable to finish last year’s event He said: “The Lavaredo Ultra Trail is one of the most important and sought-after races where you can compete with lots of the worlds top level atlete amidst fantastic scenery with a professional organisation that makes you feel like you’re at home. This year I want to make a comeback after 2021 when, after leading the race until the 85th km, I suddenly got severe pains in my stomach and unfortunately had to abandon the race. I can’t wait to be at the starting line”.

Anticipation is also rising for the return of one of the stalwart athletes of the International ultra trail world, Pau Capell (ESP) who won Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc in 2019 and came third in the Patagonia Run in Argentina (160 km) a few weeks ago. Placing second in Lavaredo Ultra Trail 2018, the Catalan (see picture below - credit Jordi Saragossa) athlete isn’t backing down: “La Sportiva Lavaredo Ultra Trail by UTMB® is one of my main objectives this season. I have already been to Cortina three times and the last time in 2018, I placed second behind American Hayden Hawks. This year? Let’s just say I want to do well. No matter what the result is, it will be a wonderful experience: the Lavaredo Ultra Trail by UTMB is a race with an elevation gain that is not excessive and even while working hard you can appreciate the amazing  surrounding Dolomite environment. Running at the foot of the threepeaks of Lavaredo (Tre Cime) under the moon, and seeing the other peaks at dawn is breathtaking. It’s lovely too to have so many people urging you on along the trail. It is  undoubtedly one of the most beautiful races in the world. No matter how it goes, I’m going to really enjoy myself.”

Besides Namberger, Reiterer and Capell, the spot light will also be on China’s Jiasheng Shen, Longfei Yan and Yanqiao Yun, and Italy’s Riccardo Borgialli, Francesco Cucco, Georg Piazza and Marco Degasperi, a former mountain race world champion.

For the women, all eyes will be on the Swedish member of Team La Sportiva, Mimmi Kotka in the Lavaredo Ultra Trail.

In the ‘UltraDolomites’ race, which is 80 kms long (almost two marathons back to back) with an elevation gain of 4,600 metres and starts in San Vigilio di Marebbe this year, Trento natives Christian Modena, who was third last year, and Gil Pintarelli will be amongst the favourite male athletes. Amongst the women vying for a podiun place will be Beth Pascall (GBR), who won the Western States 100 Endurance Run between California and Nevada in 2021, Kelly Wolf (USA), who won the Lavaredo Ultra Trail in 2018, and  Elisa Desco (ITA), a former national mountain runner, and last year’s winner of the Cortina Trail, Francesca Pretto, who was third in the 2019 race, and Barbara Giacomuzzi, a Cortina native who is always to the forefront on her home trails.
 
In the Cortina Trail (48 kms long with an elevation gain of 2,600 metres), Aldo Adige native Daniel Jung is aiming for a strong performance along with several other Italians vying for the podium:  Matteo Pigoni, winner in 2017, Nicola Giovanelli and Michele Meridio.  Watch out also for Spain: Pere Rullan, Miguel Arsenio, Marc Pinsachand Samuel Dávila. 
 
Spain and Italy are possible front runners also in the shortest race of La Sportiva Lavaredo Ultra Trail by UTMB®, the Cortina Skyrace(20 kms long with an elevation gain of 1,000 metres). Names to look out for are Antonio Martínez Pérez (ESP), Luca Del Pero (ITA) and, for the women, Alice Gaggi (ITA) whose achievements include several world medals in mountain running.

To find out more about La Sportiva Lavaredo Ultra Trail by UTMB®, visit: www.ultratrail.it. 

Media related inquiries may be directed to: Ilario Tancon +39.3470722684 - Αυτή η διεύθυνση ηλεκτρονικού ταχυδρομείου προστατεύεται από τους αυτοματισμούς αποστολέων ανεπιθύμητων μηνυμάτων. Χρειάζεται να ενεργοποιήσετε τη JavaScript για να μπορέσετε να τη δείτε.
To find out more about UTMB® World Series: utmb.world/it

About La Sportiva Lavaredo Ultra Trail by UTMB®
Born in 2007, La Sportiva Lavaredo Ultra Trail by UTMB® is the dream of all trail runners. It takes place in one of the most evocative landscapes of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomite mountains, Cortina d’Ampezzo, where four of the races that bring the event to life start and finish, the most important of which is the Lavaredo Ultra Trail, 120 kms and 5,800 metres elevation gain. For more information: www.ultratrail.it

About UTMB® World Series  
UTMB® World Series is the world’s ultimate trail-running circuit that unites the sport’s biggest stars and amateur runners through the best, leading international events in the most stunning locations.  Built on a passion for the mountains with sustainability at its heart, UTMB® World Series gives all trail runners the chance to experience the UTMB® adventure across the world, with events taking place across Asia, Oceania, Europe and the Americas in 2022. It is the only place where runners can begin their quest to UTMB® Mont-Blanc, France, where the prestigious UTMB® World Series Finals will be held. For more information, visit www.utmb.world   

About The IRONMAN Group
The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® Virtual Racing™ (VR™) Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running™ Series, IRONKIDS®, World Triathlon Championship Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and The Sun-Herald City2Surf®, UTMB® World Series events including Tarawera Ultra and Ultra-Trail Australia™, Epic Series™ mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic®, road cycling events including Haute Route®, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world and provides more than a million participants annually the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by Advance, a private, family-owned business. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group.