Length : 170km (4-stages) – D+ : 11,300m – Start time : 06:00 – 2 September 2020 – Grächen
Grächen is a municipality in the district of Visp in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. The village is situated at an altitude of 1,620 meters on a terrace above St. Niklaus in the Mattertal.
Wild spaces, numerous 4000m mountains in every direction, and non-busy trails – this is where I chose to train for UTMB and other races. This is the format I trained in – going around Monte Rosa in long days, staying with my friends in villages and refugios along the way.
It’s a tough trail, high and technical in many places – and prior mountain running experiences is needed – but so beautiful. The stage race is a great format. You can enjoy the views across meadows and mountains in daylight, and socialise and dine with the competitors in afternoons and evenings.
The stage race has a mix of great athletes running for the day’s podium alongside those looking to challenge themselves. The UTMR stage event is an immensely fun way to race the UTMR route. I am sure you will enjoy it.
– Lizzy Hawker
Race programme (To be confirmed)
Tuesday 30 August – Grächen (CH)
14:00 – 19:30 Registrations and kit check
Wednesday 1 September
05:45 Pre-race briefing
06:00 Stage I start from Grächen
until 18:00 Info point at the finish line in Zermatt
Thursday 2 September
05:45 Pre-race briefing
06:00 Stage II start from Zermatt
until 18:00 Info point at the finish line in Gressoney-la-Trinité
Friday 3 September
05:45 Pre-race briefing
06:00 Stage III start from Gressoney-la-Trinité
until 18:00 Info point at the finish line in Macugnaga
Saturday 4 September
05:45 Pre-race briefing
06:00 Stage IV start from Macugnaga
12:00 First finishers of the stage race expected in Grächen
16:30 Children’s race in Grächen
18:00 Close of UTMR Stage Race in Grächen
19:00 Buffet dinner, prize giving and closing celebrations
