Trail running fever has broken out on the Alto Garda, across the peaks and border trails between Veneto and Trentino. With just a month to go until the first edition of the Malcesine Baldo Trail, the area spanning the three towns involved (Malcesine, Brentonico, Avio) has already become a hotspot for training and course testing among mountain runners.

«Registrations are coming in fast, and the organizing team is working at full speed for a debut event that aims to truly leave its mark» said Francesco Pisciotta, president of VRM TEAM ASD. «The great thing is that, with the sunny weather, a lot of people are already heading out onto the race trails to try the course. Whether it’s the international appeal of this location, the fact remains that several foreign athletes are already among the registered entrants. We’re especially pleased about this, because our stated goal is to put together an event of international caliber».

Going into more detail, Francesco Pisciotta officially announced a major partnership: «We’re delighted to announce that a top-tier brand like Asics has decided to back the Malcesine Baldo Trail as our main technical sponsor. This is a real source of pride and satisfaction for us. It means that the reputation we’ve built in the world of international road races has helped us earn the trust of a brand that has always been synonymous with running. This partnership will allow us to have top-level brand ambassadors at the starting line, along with an Asics-branded race kit that we’ll be revealing very soon. As they say in these cases… Stay Tuned».

Breathtaking views over the Alto Garda, exhilarating single tracks, narrow alleyways steeped in history in villages where time seems to have stood still… This and much more awaits the athletes taking part in the first edition of the Malcesine Baldo Trail on the weekend of May 20–22.

About a hundred bibs have been set aside for the “vertical” (1000 D+) on Friday, May 20, which will also count as the sole round of the Fidal Regional Championship. 250 bibs will be available for the 50km “ultra” (3,355 D+) and the 24km “medium” (1,994 D+) races on Saturday, while 500 runners will be admitted to the 16km “short” (1,185 D+) on Sunday morning.

To register: endu.net

ULTRA: start and finish in the town of Malcesine, passing by the cable car station at altitude. The route is laid out along highly scenic mountain trails that cross the Monte Baldo Local Nature Park in the municipalities of Avio and Brentonico.

Elevation gain: 3,355 D+

Time limit: 12 hours

Maximum altitude: 2,079 m

Start: Saturday morning

“MEDIUM”: Starts and finishes in the town of Malcesine, passing through the high-altitude cable car station. The first part of the race follows the “ultra” route, completing the high-altitude kilometers before descending back toward the town.

Elevation gain: 1,994 D+

Time limit: 5 hours

Maximum altitude: 1,756 m

Start: Saturday morning

“SHORT”: Starts and finishes in the town of Malcesine. The route takes place mainly on mid-slope trails and dirt roads, with the final section running along the lakefront.

Elevation gain: 1,185 D+

Time limit: 3 hours

Maximum altitude: 534 m

Start: Sunday morning

VERTICAL: this is an ascent-only race on trails. The start is at the midway station of the Monte Baldo cable car. The finish is at the summit, at the top cable car station, with a breathtaking view over the Lake. Thanks to the Monte Baldo cable car, spectators can travel from the start to the finish, and athletes can conveniently return to town after the race.

Elevation gain: 1,000 D+

Time limit: 2 hours

Maximum altitude: 1,790 m

Start: Friday afternoon