Maratona dles dolomites

The Maratona dles Dolomites is an annual one-day road cycling race for amateurs, held in the Dolomites of northern Italy. Its name translates from Ladin to “Dolomites Marathon,” and the course crosses seven mountain passes instead of a city circuit. Approximately 9,000 riders are selected from about 30,000 applicants, with participants traveling from over 70 countries. National Geographic described it as “one of the biggest, most passionate, and most chaotic bike races on Earth.” The initial route began and concluded in Pedraces, covering 175 kilometers over the Gardena, Sella, Fedaia, Duran, Forcella Staulanza, Falzarego, and Valparola passes. Only 166 participants completed that first edition, including one woman from Holland. Winner Wolfgang Steinmayr took over ten hours to finish. The early races presented challenges: the subsequent edition featured cold rain, prompting riders at the Duran Pass to consider abandoning the race, leading to the cancellation of official times. The final participant arrived at 21:00. The Maratona pennant was introduced shortly thereafter, as the event evolved from a small local gathering into a large international Granfondo.