Seven months of events between Cadore, Comelico and Carnia and a final ranking that will reward not so much the result but the participation
It started on Sunday 28 April, from Lozzo di Cadore, La first edition of “Grand Slam Dolomitico”a circuit in twelve tests that unites cycling and running and the territories of Cadore, Comelico and Carnia, in some of the most evocative mountain locations between Veneto and Friuli. Twelve events and twelve locations united over seven months, from April to October for an event that will determine the final rankings but whose primary purpose is not so much the competition as an end in itself but rather participation, experiencing sport and the mountains , mountain sports.
The start was given with an event dedicated to runners, the Trail de le Longane, a 15 kilometer race (1,100 meters of altitude difference) proposed by the Fatti di Lozzo group in synergy with various local entities, a race which, at the finish line in Lozzo di Cadore, in the Belluno area, saw Federico Vecellio Patis from Belluno from Auronzo and the Slovenian Lucija Krkoč prevail.
The second test will take place on Wednesday 1 May, a few kilometers away: it is the Giro delle Coste, an event that will be staged in Calalzo di Cadore by the local Gruppo Marciatori and which can be held in the race-only version or in the duathlon, running and mtb version, individually or in pairs.
The third event is scheduled for June 9th: it is the Cross Country of the Dolomites, a mountain bike event organized in Vigo di Cadore by the Spiquy Team.
With the fourth stage, the Dolomite Grand Slam will arrive in Lorenzago di Cadore for a debut event, the Trail dei Maghe, a running race that offers an 18 kilometer route with 950 meters of positive difference in altitude, as well as two shorter routes.
The race continues as a protagonist for the fifth appointment, the March of San Giovanni, scheduled for June 23rd between Domegge di Cadore and the Eremo dei Romiti.
The Pedalonga, on 20 July, will be a pedal-powered competition, now a historic mountain bike event which this year will move from the pairs formula to the individual one. We will compete on the paths of Comelico Superiore, organized by the Spiquy Team which, alongside the bike event, also offers a running event, the Pedarun.
On July 28th we will move to the foot of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo for the Giro del Lago di Misurina, a race dedicated to runners and proposed by Cadini Promotion.
After the first seven stages in the Belluno area, here is the first appointment in Friuli Venezia Giulia: it is the Trail of the Friulian Dolomites, scheduled in Forni di Sopra for 25 August: two events are proposed, the 21 kilometer trail and a shorter race of 8 kilometers.
On September 15th in Vigo di Cadore the protagonist race will once again take place, with the Tudaio Trail Run, a race proposed by Us Aquilotti Pelos.
On September 22nd for lovers of altitude there is Cadore Vertical Kilometer: in this case the appointment is in Domegge di Cadore, organized by the Gruppo Marciatori Calalzo.
On September 29th we return to cycling, this time with a racing bicycle, for the Cronorazzo, a timed climb from Vigo di Cadore to Casera Razzo. The event is proposed by the Spiquy Team.
On October 13th we return to Friuli for the twelfth and final test: it is the Trail delle Malghe, a 16 kilometer race in Forni di Sopra.
At the end, rankings will be drawn up relating both to the absolute scope and to specific categories: under 20, over 50, over 60 and over 70.
«On the occasion of the 20 years since the birth of the Spiquy Team, we wanted to create a circuit that enhances running and cycling, the two disciplines that we have always practiced as a company but which, at the same time, was an opportunity to enhance our mountain » explains Michele Festini Purlan, organizational manager of the circuit. «Grand Slam Dolomitico was born with the aim of bringing together many events within a single container to ensure that each event is valorised by this union and to ensure that all our territories, often considered marginal but in reality rich in events , can be promoted further.”
«The circuit is made up of races and therefore the competitive aspect cannot be missing» says Festini Purlan. «But the real objective of the Grand Slam Dolomitico is not so much the result but rather the participation of individuals and clubs».
The final awards ceremony will take place in late autumn (the date and location will be set in the coming weeks) and will include, alongside the awards for the first place winners, the drawing of various technical prizes (clothing, running shoes, bike frames).
All information on Grand Slam Dolomiti can be found at this link.
