Over 500 participants at international mountain running event in Montafon

On Saturday, 8 July 2023, it was that time again: the Montafon Totale Trail of Silvretta Montafon took place for the seventh time. This year, over 500 motivated runners from 19 nations took part in a total of three disciplines in the mountain run in high alpine terrain. Among them were the mountain running elite: Sebastian Falkensteiner and Claudia Rosegger secured the title of Austrian national champion and Austrian national champion in the mountain marathon.

Around 500 runners from all over Europe gathered in the Montafon on Saturday 8 July in ideal running weather to take part in the Montafon Totale Trail 2023. Among them were international mountain running greats who didn't want to miss out on the opportunity to compete with the best. Participants competed in one of three categories: "Mountain Run" (10 km with 1,200 metres of ascent), "Trail" (33 km with 3,300 metres of ascent) or "Ultra" (47 km with 4,200 metres of ascent). For the first time this year, the runners in the trail category were also able to secure the title of Austrian national champion in the mountain marathon. With an impressive time of 4 hours and 9 minutes, Sebastian Falkensteiner was the fastest Austrian runner to cross the finish line and was thus crowned national champion. Claudia Rosegger was the first Austrian woman to cross the finish line after 4 hours and 54 minutes, also winning the national championship title.

Challenges for all performance and age groups
The starting signal for the Ultra category was given at 7 a.m. at the Alpine Sports Centre in Schruns. The 126 ultra runners then set off through the beautiful, high alpine terrain of the Montafon mountains. After around 4,200 metres in altitude and 6 hours and 29 minutes, Marcus Burger was the fastest runner to reach the finish line at the Nova Stoba in Gaschurn. The fastest runner on the Ultra Trail was Marie-Luise Mühlhuber with a time of 7 hours and 9 minutes. The participants in the Trail category completed an equally impressive route, albeit slightly shorter: Claudia Rosegger and Sebastian Falkensteiner not only secured the national championship title with their outstanding times, but also the category victory as the fastest runners overall. In the 10-kilometre mountain run category, Sven Koch triumphed in the men's category and Sabine Reiner in the women's category. The youngest runners were also able to put their skills and stamina to the test: The young runners in the U7 to U17 age groups had a total of five courses to choose from in the "Bambini", "Kids" and "Juniors" categories. And because being there is everything, every child received a medal - the fastest three in each category even received their own trophy.

Montafon Totale Trail held for the seventh time
The Montafon Totale Trail was organised for the seventh time by Silvretta Montafon together with Montafon Tourismus and the Swiss running shoe brand On. "The Montafon Totale Trail is a very special experience every year. It emphasises once again that the Montafon mountains not only offer space for unforgettable sporting experiences in winter, but also in summer. It doesn't matter whether you are one of the world's elite trail runners or just want to take part. Everyone is welcome at the Montafon Totale Trail. The fact that we were even able to award the national championship title in the mountain marathon this year was an additional highlight," says a delighted Manuel Bitschnau, Managing Director of Montafon Tourismus. Peter Marko, Managing Director of Silvretta Montafon, is also delighted with the event: "It's unbelievable what top sporting performances the participants have once again achieved. Especially in the supreme discipline, the Ultra Run, the runners pushed themselves to their limits. 47 kilometres and 4,200 metres in altitude are a real challenge - even for the best mountain runners. I am also particularly pleased that we have been continuously developing the Montafon Totale Trail since it was first organised in 2016 and are able to welcome more and more sports enthusiasts every year. This would not be possible without our cooperation partners. So a big thank you to all the companies that have supported us for years with this unique event." 

Factbox

Ultra category:
47 kilometres
4,200 metres in altitude
Winner men: Marcus Burger, 6 hours 29 minutes
Women's winner: Marie-Luise Mühlhuber, 7 hours 9 minutes

Trail category: 
33 kilometres
3,300 metres in altitude
Winner men: Sebastian Falkensteiner, 4 hours 9 minutes
Women's winner: Claudia Rosegger, 4 hours 54 minutes
National champion men's mountain marathon: Sebastian Falkensteiner
National champion women's mountain marathon: Claudia Rosegger

Mountain running category:
10 kilometres 1,200 metres in altitude
Winner men: Sven Koch, 1 hour 1 minute
Women's winner: Sabine Reiner, 1 hour 18 minutes