Mountain runners in top form

On Saturday, 15 June, almost 270 runners from 17 nations pushed themselves to their limits at the Montafon Totale Trail. The longest category ‘Ultra’ stretched over the Hochjoch to the Rossbergjoch at 2,315 metres, down to St. Gallenkirch, up to Garfresch and via the Nova Stoba in Gaschurn back to St. Gallenkirch to the finish at the Valisera Hüsli.

The starting signal for the two long distances ‘Ultra Trail’ and ‘Totale Trail’ was given at 7.00 am at the Alpin Sport Centre in Schruns. The shortest distance ‘Mountain Run’ started at 11.00 am at the Valisera cable car valley station. All three disciplines finished at the Valisera Hüsli at the Valisera cable car mountain station.

Montafon Totale Ultra Trail
Andreas Gehrer/Austria (1), Thomas Miksch/Germany (2) and Amadeus Wild/Austria (3) won the supreme discipline ‘Montafon Totale Ultra’ (47 kilometres and 4,200 vertical metres). Ildiko Wermescher/Hungary (1), Petra Friedrich/Germany (2) and Stephanie Gil/Germany (3) came out on top in the women's race.

Montafon Totale Trail
Montafon brand ambassador and part of the Montafon sports family Daniel Zugg/Austria was the very first runner to cross the finish line shortly after 11.30 am, winning the ‘Montafon Totale Trail’ category (33 kilometres and 3,300 metres in altitude) ahead of Eric Leidenfrost/Germany (2) and Rainhard Pixner/Italy (3). In the women's category, Andrea Gemassmer/Germany (1), Julia Walser/Austria (2) and Alexandra Gundel/Germany (3) were delighted with their podium finishes.

Montafon Totale mountain run
In the ‘Mountain Running’ category, Christoph Steinmüller/Germany (1), Lukas Steier/Germany (2) and Harald Gunz/Austria (3) triumphed in the men's category. The best runners in the women's race were Sylke Schmitz/Germany (1), Marie-Luise Heilig-Duventäster/Germany (2) and Johanna Steinmüller/Germany (3).

‘It's unbelievable how tough the runners are - we're absolutely talking about top sporting performances here,’ said Manuel Bitschnau, Managing Director of Montafon Tourismus, enthusiastically. ‘We are noticing a huge trend in mountain running, which is sure to continue.’ The winner of the Montafon Totale Trail category, Daniel Zugg, is also certain of this: ‘The best of the best really do compete in this trail run. I took part for the first time this year and am very happy about this victory. Especially considering that I'm coming straight out of a training break.’ There was also plenty for the youngsters: children could also compete in three different categories directly at the Valisera Hüsli as part of the ‘Montafon Totale Kids Trail’.

Montafon Kilka Trail
In addition to the three distances, the ‘Montafon Kilka Trail’ - a relay race for companies and clubs - took place on Friday evening, 14 June, on the church square in Schruns. Organised by Montafon Tourismus, six teams competed against each other on the 200-metre course. First place went to Intersport Fischer/Team 2, followed by Trailrunning Team Vorarlberg and Intersport Fischer/Team 1.

Growing interest
The Montafon Totale Trail was organised for the fourth time this year - the number of participants has almost tripled compared to 2016. With the Montafon Totale Trail and the Montafon Arlberg Marathon, the Montafon is increasingly becoming a destination for mountain running enthusiasts. The Montafon Totale Trail was organised and carried out by Silvretta Montafon in collaboration with Montafon Tourismus.