Lavaredo 20K

Lavaredo 20K

The organiser calls it the short race but the nastiest one, with steep climbs and technical descents. The published checkpoints show why: from Cortina at about 1,216 m the course climbs to Crepe de Zumeles at 8.5 km and on to Forcella Zumeles at 1,994 m, nearly 800 m above the start inside ten kilometres. It then drops to Malga Larieto at 15 km and runs back down to the finish on Corso Italia. The 17:00 start is chosen for the colours of the Dolomites at sunset.

There is one refreshment station, at Malga Larieto, and no crew assistance. Runners carry at least half a litre, a hooded waterproof jacket and a thermal blanket, and trekking poles are not permitted on this race. Four hours is the limit, so the whole field is back in town as the evening ends.

For family it is a short evening to follow and an easy one to miss. On Livebib the runner shares a link to their own broadcast. It opens in a browser without an account or app and shows the position on the course line, the distance covered and a finish estimate that updates on the climb and the descent, so supporters know when to be on Corso Italia. Anything the page estimates is marked as estimated.