Just a few days remain until the 6th of July, and Alta Badia is gearing up to host the 38th Maratona dles Dolomites – Enel, a grand affair that brings together organisers, collaborators, volunteers, and 8,000 cyclists from 81 nations, all set to pedal under the spell of LÜM, the radiant light of the Dolomites that transforms toil into energy and emotions into cherished memories. Entries hit a whopping 32,700, reflecting steady growth over the years—from 15,000 in 2006 to over 30,000 in recent editions, with a slight dip post-pandemic. The three iconic routes, absolute classics in cycling, are the Maratona (138 km, 4230 m of elevation), the Medio (106 km, 3130 m), and the Classico (55 km, 1780 m), winding through legendary passes like Campolongo, Pordoi, Sella, Gardena, Giau, Falzarego, and Valparola, in a splendid loop free of motor vehicles, immersed in the serene majesty of the Dolomites. Every finisher is awarded a medal inspired by the Enrosadira, the phenomenon that bathes the peaks in pink and orange hues, crafted from cirmolo wood and red stone sand from Sas dla Crusc, a tangible memento of effort, emotion, and nature.
The Carvico gilet, made with eco-friendly Norway and Revolutional™ Eco fabrics, and the Castelli jersey, in pristine white with subtle green and purple shades, embody the theme of light, blending style, sustainability, and performance. The “Cyclist’s Plate – Reimagined Canederli,” crafted by chef Davide Crazzolara and nutritionist Elena Casiraghi, reworks traditional canederli with local ingredients like beetroot, caramelised speck, smoked ricotta, and pine yoghurt, championing the region and post-ride recovery. From the 3rd to 5th July, the Maratona Village in San Leonardo in Badia comes alive with stands, music, gastronomy, and innovations from partners like Pirelli, Enervit, DMT, Pinarello, Compex, Abus, One-K Wheels, Northwave, Cadex, Shokz, Enel, Kask, Koo, Mapei, Selle Italia, and Shimano. The food area, with Cantine Maschio, Delicious Trail, Foodness, Loacker, Yoga, Ambrosoli, and free Segafredo coffee, delights the palate, while Arcese Trasporti’s Green Corner promotes recycling and biodegradable materials. The 1550 volunteers, the true heartbeat of the event, manage race bibs, refreshment stations, goodie bags, and finishes, clocking over 23,450 hours of work, then celebrating with a grand barbecue and lottery.
The Maratona is also about giving back: 400 entries raised over €73,000 for “Light for Life” in Syria, Uganda, and Chad, the Michele Scarponi Foundation’s road safety school, and “Give Light to the Future” for maternal care in Uganda. Safety is paramount, with a mandatory rain jacket to tackle the unpredictable high-altitude weather, monitored live by iLMeteo.it. A six-hour RAI 2 broadcast, with 40 journalists and technicians, showcases the race, Ladin culture, and stories from guests like Peter Sagan, Miguel Indurain, Vincenzo Nibali, Fabio Cannavaro, and entrepreneurs like Fausto Pinarello. A striking 55% of participants are first-timers, underscoring the event’s growing allure. Six refreshment stations dish out tonnes of grub and drink, from 2000 kg of apples to 2150 kg of tortellini. The Supermaratona, an epic 285 km journey across 13 passes, celebrated in a documentary with Hervé Barmasse, is joined by a unique nocturnal ride on the 3rd of July, a stellar adventure under the Dolomite stars.
