The Montane Tor des Géants returns for its 10th anniversary on Friday 6th September 2019. To commemorate the tenth edition, four races through the wild and spectacular landscapes of the Italian Alps have been created to increase the opportunities to participate and experience a legendary race. This includes the new, epic Tor des Glaciers, a competition that may never be repeated, and the new, shorter 30km/19 miles Passage au Malatrà.
First launched in 2010, the Tor des Géants (TDG) immediately became one of the hardest non-stopraces in the world. Covering 330km/205 miles of secluded trails in the Italian Alps with 24,000m/70,880ft of ascent, running the TDG is the equivalent of climbing Mt. Everest nearly three times in less than 150 hours. In 2016 Montane, a joined the Tor des Géants as partner, having a history of involvement with extreme endurance races, in a wide variety of locations and temperatures. Since then the TDG has grown to a four race program in 2019, with all four races selling out well in advance.
“We pride ourselves on actively supporting some of the most brutal and uncompromising races, ones that create environments that our clothing is designed for and feats of endurance that can test the most competent athletes in the world. The TOR is a talisman of this special breed of race, and are privileged to be a part of such a landmark anniversary.’
Terry Stephenson, Montane
The 10th anniversary edition of the TDG features the first Tor des Glaciers, an impressive new race. Bigger than the “classic” Tor des Geants, Tor des Glaciers spans 450km/280miles of remote trails and a staggering 32,000m/20 miles of ascent in less than 190 hours. Runners eager to go the distance quickly snapped up all 100 spots for the inaugural Tor des Glaciers in less than two-minutes.
Team Montane is busy training to compete in the “classic” Tor des Géants, among a field of more than 800 entrants, spread over 60+ countries. This year Montane will be represented by an elite team of international athletes including Galen Reynolds of Canada, who took second place in 2018, and Kaouta Toriumi of Japan who finished fifth. Also returning are Montane athletes Jenn Gaskell (UK), Simon Gfeller (ES), Kevin Hadfield (US), Tom Hollins (UK) and Julio Cernuda Adlecoa (ES). New to the race and looking to make their mark are Montane athletes, Stefano Serena (IT) and Luca Molinari (IT).
“The TOR is an entire experience, far more than just an ultra. It’s an epic journey that will test limits in every way possible and push beyond anything you thought previously possible. The continually changing terrain makes sure everything is severely stressed. With the help of the great race organisation, countless enthusiastic volunteers, cheering locals, other runners and some of the best mountain scenery this impossible task becomes attainable.’
Galen Reynolds, Montane Athlete.
KEY RACE FACTS
Tor des Géants330km / 24000 D+
- The 10 anniversary of the race takes place 8-15th, September 2019.
- The TDG is a non-stop 330 km ultra-trail race through the Aosta Valley, starting and finishing in Courmayeur, Italy.
- With an average 60% completion rate, racers must complete the route in less than 150 hours.
- The distance is 330km, the total elevation gain is about 24,000m
- It is considered to be one of the world’s greatest endurance trail races due to the beautiful and unforgiving terrain.
Tor des Glaciers 450km / 32000 D+
- The first Tor des Glaciersrace takes place 6–16th, September2019.
- The Tor des Glaciersis a non-stop 450km ultra-trail race along the little-known trails and ridges of the Valle d’Aosta, starting and finishing in Courmayeur, Italy.
- Racers must complete the route in less than 190 hours
- The distance is 450km, the total elevation gain is about 32,000m
- A new race to commemorate the 10 Anniversary of the TDG
- Only 100 will run this competition which may possibly never be repeated again
Tot Dret 130km / 12000 D+
- The Tot Diet (TOR130) race takes place 10-12th, September 2019.
- The TOR 130 is 130km ultra-trail race starting from Gressoney-St-Jean and ending in Courmayeur, Italy.
- Racers must complete the route in less than 44 hours
- The distance is 130km, the total elevation gain is about 12,000m
Passage au Malatrà30km / 2300 D+
- The first Passage au Malatrà 30km race takes place 14th, September 2019.
- Saturday 14th Semptember in Saint-Rhémy-En-Bosses, and ending in Courmayeur, Italy.
- Racers must complete the route in less than 8 hours.
- The distance is 30km, the total elevation gain is about 2,300m.
- The shortest and easiestraces out of four in program to celebrate the TDG’s tenth anniversary.
For a taster, check out the recap video from 2018 below. Not long to go!
The Tor des Géantsis also one of the best ultra marathons to watch remotely. Via the Tor des Géants website, spectators from around the world can watch a map showingeach athlete’s live position.
Information and imagery supplied by Montane | Press Release
James Mackeddie 