A look upwards, to see the 1560 meters of Les Druges and a bit of blue among the clouds. The blue of the sky – looking at the forecast – seems closed to everyone 1000 participants of Vertical Fénis, Minitrail and Vertikid. The blue of the Italian shirt to be worn in Annecy between 31 May and 2 June is a matter for few: this year too, in factthe race on May 1st which opens the Défi Vertical circuit is a selection test for the invitations to the European trail and mountain running championships (and not just for Italy).
Registrations sold out well in advance, to the point of creating a long waiting list. At the start in two waves (one at 9.30 for those who expect to spend more than an hour to “climb” the 1000 meters of altitude difference in 5.3 km, the other at 10.15) there will be around 750 people, in addition to the 120 registered for the MiniTrail (departure at 10.30) and the 70 of the VertiKid (departure at 9.45) reserved for under 16s. The departure is from Tsantì de Bouva, where there will also be the final party – in the dry, inside the shed – where from 4pm onwards Modern Fanfara, Ferock’s and Skarlett will perform. Awards ceremony at 3pm.
With the group of fastest athletes starting at 10.15am, forty-five minutes after the first heat, the challenge will also be against the clock, to try to touch up the Irishman’s records Sarah McCormack (46’17” in 2023) and from Turin Andrea Rostan (38’41” in 2024).
Under the eyes of coach Paolo Germanetto, a shower of stars promises to be coming. The blue athlete from Atletica Saluzzo will be one of those specially observed, he won here under the downpour last year too, but coming off an eighth place in the Prelà test which certainly cannot have satisfied him. With Rostan, other important men for the only up in Italy will try to make up for the half-disappointment in Liguria. Starting with Friulian Tiziano Moia (Gemonathletics), third here in 2023, and from Henri Aymonodfrom Aosta Valley flying the Us Malonno flag, to then move on to the already silver world championship of Short Ttrail Francesco Puppi (Atl. Valle Brembana), on these paths already twice on the podium, but so far never a winner. Among this lot of important names, the presence of Andrea Elia (The Recastello Radici Group), dominator of the first European selection test only six days ago and intent on confirming his excellent form also in Fénis. Also worth taking into high consideration is the pair of Cagnati, Luca and Lorenzoboth bearers of Atletica Valli Bergamasche, as well as the blue ski mountaineering team Alex Oberbacher (Gherdenia Runners) and former biathlete Michael Galassi (US Aldo Moro). The marathon runner is also at the start René Cuneaz (Gp Parco Alpi Apuane), while the Dutch arrive to guarantee an international tone Jasper Boot, the Irish Ian Conroy and the Belgian Matthias Janssenall looking for performances that for their technicians are worth a European call-up.
Among the over two hundred women at the start, last year’s winner finally wins Vivien Bonzi. After Prelà’s second place, the Bergamo girl from La Recastello is aiming straight for the Italian Lanzada Championships next weekend, ideally leaving room for other top Italians of recent years. With the Biella girl Valeria Roffino (Fiamme Azzurre), dominator of the first selection test after seasons dedicated to cross-country and track, making her debut on the steep slopes of Fénis, favorites of the prediction also directed towards Gloria Giudici (Atl. Valle Brembana), Elisa Sortini (Atl. Alta Valtellina) e Alessia Scaini (Sa Valchiese). Aosta Valley hopes linked to the already bronze junior world championship Axelle Vicari (Cus Pro Patria Milano), returning after several physical problems, while also aiming for a prestigious result Chiara Giovando (Pegarun), Martina Cumerlato (Gherdenia Runners), Anna Lena Hofer (Sc Merano) e Benedetta Broggi (Sport Project Vco). The Belgian is also competing Charlotte Cottonalready a good protagonist here in the last edition.
The Vertical Fénis sold out in less than two months, the waiting list is open
As per tradition, the May 1st it’s the day of Vertical Fenis. A race that has grown more and more, capable of attracting great champions – last year it was a selection competition for the mountain running world championships – but also people who want to make a bit of effort before giving themselves a party with friends and some good music.
The registrations to the vertical (inaugural race of the Défi Vertical and single test for the Fidal regional specialty championship) which starts from the Tsantì de Bouva green area to arrive, after 5.3 km and 1000 meters of altitude, they opened Friday 15 December on wedosport and sold out a month and a half and three months before the start of the race, after reaching the maximum number of 700 participants.
For this reason, the organizers of the Vertical Fénis have opened a waiting list and a waiver list: those who cannot participate in the race can sign up on the waiver list, drawn up in chronological order, while at the same time those who want to participate can join the waiting list . The “waivers” will receive a partial refund as they are replaced by those on the waiting list. Refunds will be equal to the amount paid, net of commissions for online payment and deducted 2.5 euros for management costs.
