The Dolomite Marathon, “Maratona dles Dolomites” in Ladin is a road cycling race that starts and ends in the Val Badia
The first Maratona dles Dolomites in the Val Badia, a famous road-cycling marathon race, was organised in 1987. At the time, the race was 175 km long and athletes had to cross 7 Dolomite passes. Over the years, it has become one of the highlights for cycling enthusiasts all around the region. The race is held every year on the first Sunday of July and the official route was shortened to the official marathon distance of 138 km and 4,230 m of difference in altitude.
The 9,000 participating athletes are drawn from all the signed up athletes. Half of the start places are reserved to Italian athletes, whereas the other 4,500 places are for the other 40 countries. Athlets can choose between different routes: the Sellaronda course (55 km, 4 Dolomite passes, 1,780 m of altitude difference), the Medium course (106 km, 7 Dolomite passes, 3,090 m of altitude difference) and the Marathon course (138 km, 8 Dolomite passes, 4,190 m of altitude difference). The crossed mountain passes include: Passo Campolongo (see picture, to be completed twice), Passo Pordoi, Passo Sella, Passo Gardena (these four mountain passes are known as Sella Ronda), Passo Falzarego, Passo di Giau and Passo Valparola.
The athletes who donate money to the people in need when paying their inscription fee are awarded gold and platinum cards. At every edition a new charity project is presented. This event with its rich entertainment programme is organised by the SSD Comitato Maratona dles Dolomites.
