SallandTrail

SallandTrail is a March trail-running event held in Nijverdal, situated by the Sallandse Heuvelrug in the eastern Netherlands. It offers runners a range of distances, from 12 km to 100 km, accommodating first-time trail runners, long training runs, or full ultras. AV Atletics organizes the event, which is affiliated with Atletiekunie. The field is intentionally kept small, with participant numbers typically in the low hundreds rather than thousands. The routes traverse National Park Sallandse Heuvelrug, utilizing forest paths, heathland, and extensive singletrack. Previous course descriptions indicate the longest route is approximately 95 percent unpaved, with the 75 km version featuring 848 meters of elevation gain and a 9-hour cutoff. The mid-distance race also presents significant hills for the region: the 41.5 km route includes 382 meters of ascent and qualifies for the UTMB Index. The longer races attract Dutch trail and ultra runners, with distinct 80 km categories for men and women. A local tradition allows finishers to swim for free.