The third edition this extraordinary challenge in the heart of the four giants of the alps is ready for 2012 - are you?
At 330km long, with a positive altitude difference of 24,000 metres along the two Alte Vie routes in the Valle d'Aosta, The Tor des Géants® is one of the world's toughest endurance races
One, two, three!
It's all go for the third edition, set to take place from 9 to 16 September 2012.
Entries will open on February 1, 2012!
The Tor des Géants® is the world's most challenging endurance trail (in terms of altitude difference and length). It takes place in the heart of the Italian Alps, in a single stage that runs right through Valle d'Aosta.
It is also the first ultra-trail to combine long-distance with self-sufficiency on the part of the runners.
The Tor des Géants®: Sport and thrills
"There's no need to head for the Himalayas and Tibet in search of the mountain at its most genuine. This race, running right through Valle d'Aosta at the foot of the 4 "Giants of the Alps" (more than 4000 m), shows off the mountain landscape in all its splendour, as well as transmitting the values handed down through the generations by the folk who live there: authenticity, friendship, courage and solidarity". These were the words spoken by Councillor Aurelio Marguerettaz at the end of the second edition of the Tor des Géants®, and there are none that more effectively sum up the atmosphere of this exceptional event.
An authentic journey right through the heart of the Italian Alps, it has taken just two editions for the Tor des Géants® to carve out an exceptional reputation in the world of trail running, as a result of the length and difficulty of the route, the altitude difference and the landscape. Another major ingredient in the success of the race is the warm, inviting atmosphere created by the organisers, the volunteers and the people who live in all the municipalities the runners pass through.
Whether runners come in first or last, this is an adventure that leaves its mark on all of them: "For me, the most thrilling part was the Malatra Pass; you've almost reached the finishing line, and the landscape really does spur you on," says Jules-Henri Gabioud (who came first). France's Christophe Le Saux, (the runner-up) agrees: "It's a gruelling race, with breath-taking scenery and a warm, friendly welcome all along the way. I've run lots of races all over the world, but I reckon this is the hardest - and one of the best!"
Paola, a tourist courier from Valle d'Aosta, who crossed the finishing line a few hours before the deadline, says "This is one of the most memorable journeys of my whole life! "
A truly giant third edition!
This third edition will be another titanic adventure, with the same ingredients as the first two: exceptional commitment, sweat, sun, rain, storms, tears, joy, solidarity, respect, laughter...not to mention 7 days and 6 nights spent with a whole lot of people, gorgeous mountain sunsets, the moon rising up over the peaks, the silence of the night: impressive, majestic.
A long week of running and an experience never to be forgotten.
Entries:
- Open from 12:00 noon on 1 February 2012 at www.tordesgeants.it (website in 5 languages)
- Entries are limited to 550 runners, for safety reasons, for the environment and for the sake of conviviality!
- In 2011, this limit was reached on the 4th day, with over 350 people placed on the waiting list.
- Open from 12:00 noon on 1 February 2012 to 1 August 2012, or as soon as the maximum limit of 550 participants has been reached.
- The entry fee is € 350.
Entries may be made online. Payment must be made by credit card upon completion of the entry form, using the website's secure server.
Once the maximum number of entries has been reached, the system will automatically come to a halt. Thereafter, aspiring participants may join the waiting list free of charge. Should any runners withdraw, the organisation will contact the names on the waiting list, in the order they joined, to offer them a place in the race and explain how to confirm their entry.
Conditions of Entry
This is a particularly long race, comprising many high-mountain passes, so the conditions can be very difficult, with wind, cold, rain or snow and the need to run in the dark. Excellent training and real self-sufficiency are essential to succeed in this individual adventure.
There are no specific requisites for entry to the Tor des Géants®, but the organisers strongly recommend experience in other trails run over several days.
To validate entry, a medical certificate is required, indicating that the holder is fit to undertake an endurance trail of this kind. This certificate must be recognised in the runner's country of residence.
Race Profile:
330 km, a positive altitude difference of 24,000 m, 25 mountain passes of over 2000 m, and a time limit of 150 hours, all in one go amid the "giants" of Valle d'Aosta.
Run along the two Alte Vie routes in Valle d'Aosta, the Tor des Géants® is a trip through the heart of the highest peaks in Europe. The paths run along the foot of Mont Blanc (4810 m), the Gran Paradiso (4061 m), Monte Rosa (4634 m) and the Matterhorn (4478 m): the 4 giants of the Alps.
This route, which has no equal anywhere in the world, was created by linking up the Alta Via no.1, known as "Alta Via dei Giganti" and the Alta Via no. 2, known as "Alta Via Naturalista" into one single walking/running route: "Trekking dei Giganti".
The Tor des Géants® 2011 in figures:
- 473 runners on the starting line
- 4 continents (Europe, Asia, Africa and America) and 23 countries represented.
- 300 finishers, 63% of the total (up 9% on 2010), 34 of them women
