GPS Race Maps
The Kaisermarathon
Söll, Austria
The end of the Kaisermarathon at 6,000 ft
Advertised Statistics | Measured Statistics | |
Distance | 26.2 Miles | About 26 miles |
Total Climbs | 2000m | Sportracks said 6,700ft |
Electronic route | zipped .gpx file, can be imported into sportracks or Google Earth |
The Kaisermarathon is the second race in the annual Tour de Tirol, a three day event involving:
The 10K and half marathon are in beautiful surrondings but they are relatively flat and, being multi lap races, a bit tedious. The 3 races of the Tour de Tirol can be run by a single person or a team of 2 or 3 runners, mixed or single sex. You can run just 1 or two of the races if you like (I only did the Kaisermarathon). There seemed to be no prizes for the age categories and in 2008 the finishers were given a pair of socks for the 10K, a hat for the marathon plus a medal and a sun visor for the half marathon. Those completing all 3 races on their own were given a Tour de Tirol finishers' T shirt. In 2009 the Kaisermarathon will play host to the World Long Distance Mountain running challenge, following Three Peaks in 2008. Onto the Kaisermarathon in more detail: this is roughly a full marathon with a couple of meaty mountains thrown in. The race starts in Soll, goes round the town, up a hill and back through the town. The first half is undulating but nothing too difficult. The second half is where the mountains are. After Ellmau the first mountain ascent starts with steps and is an alternate jog-walk for mortals (Jonathan Wyatt runs the whole lot!). At the top of the first mountain you run through a kiddies play area and then through the patio of a restaurant to the applause of the diners. At aboyut 24 miles you reach the middle cable car station of Hohe Salve and the next 2 miles is BRUTALLY steep. We are talking 1000ft per mile. Then near the top you contour round the mountain and there is a cruel uphill finish at about 6000ft near the top cable car station. Bullet point comments:
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Height Profile of Race
The day before the Kaisermarathon - picture kindly edited by Ginny Willey:
Copyright John Mayall 2008.