Last month RunUltra was invited to join the aIT Media Hospitality Program hosted by Gastein and Salzburgerland, to participate in the adidas TERREX Infinite trails in Gastein. Kate was already booked so we asked Anna Buckingham from Run Eryri to go and report back. She is a competitive runner based in Snowdonia where she is a Running Coach, Mountain Leader and Run Guide. Here’s what she has to say.
Where to start. I’m still reeling from a long weekend in The Gastein region of Salzburgerland – reeling in a good way. I had a weekend of fun, racing, running, relaxation and adventure that won’t be beaten in a hurry. If UTMB is a trail running party, Infinite Trails Race is a Trail running rave! The energy from the team, volunteers, participants, sponsored athletes is so unique. One of their social media tags is #celebratethesport and that enthusiasm obviously underpins this event.
Pre Race
I arrived in The Gastein Valley on Thursday afternoon. It’s a little under 2 hours by car from Salzburg airport (which is the most efficient airport I’ve ever been to) and comprises 3 beautiful Alpine towns spread over about 40km surrounded by 3000-meter mountains. Having never visited this area before, I was really looking forward to having some proper time there and to be shown some of the hand picked areas by the people who live and breath the region as well as do a little bit of jogging. The event programme for the weekend was full but had space for us to do a bit of self-exploration too.
With year-round sports; including hiking, trail running, climbing, cycling, skiing, yoga, it has two fabulous thermal spas, it’s definitely a location that should be on everyone’s radar in the running community. It is also home to Gasteiner Heilstollen, a health centre deep beneath the Hohe Tauern Mountains. In this “healing cave” scientifically approved radon therapy is used as a natural treatment for conditions such as rheumatism. Most interestingly the German and Austrian healthcare insurers will cover treatment in their policies – which says a lot of it’s efficacy.
Upon arriving at 4-star hotel Österreichischer Hof, myself and the other media guests were greeted warmly by Hannah who works for the Gastein Toursim Board. She enthusiastically introduced us to the region with a full agenda.
Sonja Güldner-Hamel, one of the race directors was also there to give us another warm welcome, she shared a brief history of the event and a little of the philosophy behind the Infinite Trails races. One of their aims is to really engage with communities as well as welcome international athletes (This year saw athletes from over 60 countries) whilst bringing a real festival feel to the region and promoting ultra running in the area.
Whilst the competition is fierce, headlined by sponsored runners (Mainly from their sponsor Adidas Terrex), the winners are celebrated, but it’s not about them, it’s about everyone coming together and celebrating this truly wonderful sport and a beautiful location. Whether they are participants, local community members, volunteers, hoteliers, sponsors, supporters – everyone is welcomed to enjoy everything that is on offer
After meeting the team, we met a group of around 50 other runners and locals for a “shake out run” where we had a social run and have a sneak peak at some of the lovely local trails. No egos, not racing, just an inclusive run out with likeminded individuals and a chance to chat with other competitors, sponsors and locals.
After the shake out run it was back to the hotel for a quick shower and a dinner with the Gastein Tourism board, other media and influencers who had been invited. Chatting over dinner to Jurgen, the Gastein Marketing Director I was really interested to understand more about the economics and future plans of the event and what the region has to offer. He was excited to talk about some of the great plans he and his team have to really promote the region into trail running, through using the community and local businesses to make it more accessible to those wanting to get out running in the mountains there. He’s identified some needs which make trail runners quite unique that he’s keen to cater for. Simple things like partnering with rifugios and hotels to support runners needs we take for granted. Find out more about Salzburgerland and the Gastein valley here Gastein Valley » SalzburgerLand.com.
Registration
On Friday we were joined by Kathrin our other host who works for the international team in the Salzburgerland tourism board. After breakfast, we went to register for our races which was super efficient. Plenty of volunteers, fast moving lines, use of tablets to sign in, clear requirement on what kit was to be presented, even the briefing was available to watch online. Each competitor was given a goodie bag containing a wrist band to gain access to the Alpentherme Spa, a reusable hessian bag, a (very wearable!) cap, vouchers for after race drinks, meal voucher, some shower gel and a voucher for the “Kaiserschmarren” buffet on Sunday.
Product Testing
After we had registered we were taken to SportGastein – a ski area higher up into the mountains where we were met with an amazing buffet and some of the product team from Adidas Terrex who introduced us to the Terrex Agravic range – they gave an informal but detailed presentation on the technology behind the shoes and able to ask lots of questions. With such a strong team of athletes under their sponsorship, it’s unsurprising that the athletes have a huge amount of input into the product development and are already well into planning for the next season and beyond!
We then had the opportunity to trial some of the shoes and select a pair should we wish to wear in the race the next day. We ran to a nearby refuge for yet more food and I had a good discussion with Rowan, Head of Product for Adidas Terrex on race vests as he was doing some market research for their next range.
After a final test run back to the cars we headed back to the hotel. I had a nap and then went to check out the hotel pool and spa and relax for a few hours. We then headed for a pre race pasta party like nothing I’ve had before. Not a plastic bowl or bland spag bol was to be found. But a classy bar with a huge range of delicious food and more profiteroles than you could shake a Leki pole at! After filling our boots we waddled back to the hotel to get some rest before the next days festivities.
Race Day
The hotel had put on a very early breakfast sitting starting at 4am so the people doing the 60k event could be fed in time for their 6am start. My start wasn’t until a very civilised 7.45am so I was woken up along with my alarm clock at 5.45 to the sound of “bangin’ tunes” on the start line which was conveniently located just 50m from the hotel.
Whilst the weekend is hugely fun filled, the race routes are serious. With options from 15k to 60k as well as a team event, the elevation profiles are spicy to say the least, and don’t forget reaching altitudes of 2400m on some of the routes.
I took part on the 15k as I have some other races coming and was keen to experience more of what was available on our busy program for the weekend . The route actually measures at nearer to 13.5km with 900m of elevation up and down. Although, with a flat 1.5 – 2km start summiting the highest part of the route after around 6.5km into the race, it means the entire uphill elevation profile is squashed into around 5km so it’s steep!
Photo Credit: Kate Carter
Whilst not technical, the fast flat start separates those looking for podium spots and steepness of the uphill quickly spreads things out further. The route leaves town along gravel paths, and a short road section before hitting some steep forest trails where it climbs almost consistently to the highest point on the route (1660m). A Strava segment “race” within the race is also featured in each of the distances where Queen and King of the mountains are crowned at the awards ceremony. I didn’t see the start of this, but I did see the end of it, through sweaty eyes and burning calves. Shortly after the Strava section is an aid station – well stocked and loaded with cheery volunteers – I didn’t stop but rounded the final part of the hill and rolled on down the long descent back into town. I had the trails largely to myself, I overtook a couple of men and was overtaken by a female as I battled a new blister formed from the trail shoes I’d decided to test on race day…. Rookie error. More on that in a future kit review post.
The flat route back through town retraced the route we took out of town and was filled with cheering locals, smiling volunteers waving you across the roads and into the finish chute where you are announced one by one across the line by the energetic compere to music and cheering.
Immediately draped in a wooden medal, which is hand crafted from local wood and individually decorated by local children. Such a lovely touch. I was happy to come 5th in a competitive field – won by a Germain international who has competed in Olympic marathon!
Here you are ushered through the finish area and onto a large green area with a buffet of fruit, treats, drinks, a place to wash your kit, relax in the shade and encouraged to cheer on the later arrivals.
I hung out here for a while before joining Hannah on the opposite side of the finishers chute to cheer in the rest of our group and soak up the atmosphere.
Post Race
Post race is just amazing. Every competitor is given a wrist band where they can gain entry to the Alpetherme spa. Here another buffet of very nice hot food, free soft drinks and in your race pack is also 3 free drinks vouchers (alcohol if you wish). A live musician was playing whilst a few hundred athletes bobbed around the outdoor pools, dunked in ice baths, relaxed in the sun and socialised in a way that felt more like a pool party in Ibiza than a mountain running race. Helped by the stunning weather we had.
We stayed here until the sun dropped behind the buildings and went back to the hotel for dinner.
Prize Giving
The prize ceremony was scheduled at 8.30 in the spa, poolside where there was already a stage set up.
Most people had just stayed on into the evening so when I came back there was a steamy human soup with hundreds of people drinking and having the best time. Music blasting as the award celebration began.
No surprise on the podium spots – almost entirely by Adidas Terrex athletes posting some impressive results. There were no age group prizes at this event – I would guess that with the apparent age demographic being largely between 20 and 35 the podium would be quite empty for the older age groups!
The after party went on until 11pm or so – but then there was I believe an after after party!
Post….Post race
On Sunday all participants were invited to a Kaiserschmart afterparty up on the Stubnerkogel – again a voucher in their pack and race band gained a free gondola ride to the top where they were given a delicious local dish and suck up the last of the atmosphere and in our case a beautiful warm morning.
Our group enjoyed a private yoga session focusing on the muscles we’d used during our race. This class was given on the viewing platform provided by Carola of meinmovingroom – not totally private as it was still open to the public – some of whom thought it acceptable to walk all over our yoga mats. That aside, finishing up our stretching with a Shavasana basking in the warmth of the sun was pretty special and Caro was a fantastic yoga instructor.
Photo Credit: Stefan Eggan
Race Entry
The race for 2025 will take place from 5th to 7th September INFINITE TRAILS 2025 and entries are already open and likely to sell fast with the increasing demand year on year at this event.
The entry fee is very reasonable, especially considering the event package included.
| Race | Distance | Elevation | Entry Fee |
| 15k | 13.7km | 871m | €59 |
| 30k | 30.6km | 1859m | €139 |
| 45k | 44.2km | 3146m | €139 |
| 60k | 62km | 5200m | €139 |
| Team | 21km /35km /44km | 1900m /2700m /3100m | €417 (team of 3) |
Post Race Tourism
Whilst the longer races had been ongoing we had some time to hang around a while before heading back to have a quick shower and head out to Bad Gastein to watch the long course runners come through the “Fan mile” in a beautiful square and an unexpected waterfall right in the middle of the town! Hannah and Katrin talked enthusiastically about the region. Something that I observed was how much our hosts really love the area, most of them having grown up there, going to university had come back. It’s easy to see why. Few places I visit I can see myself living and this is definitely one that I could see myself settling. I am already formulating plans to return to the region for a little longer.
