VERTICAL [M]

The VERTICAL has the cleanest brief of any race at SAT. Up. Eight kilometres. One thousand metres of climbing. Finish at Grawand, 3,190 metres above sea level. That's it. No second half, no recovery section, no flat stretch where the legs get a say. Just the starting gun in Kurzras and then everything pointing in one direction.

This is the official opener of Schnalstal Alpine Trail — the race that starts the weekend before the longer distances take over. It runs sections shared with the ULTRA and SKY routes, which is worth knowing before you start: the terrain was designed for those courses. The VERTICAL just removes everything except the hard parts.

The gradient moves in stages. Runnable first, then technical, then steep enough that negotiating with yourself becomes a private matter between you and the mountain. Fixed ropes appear where the terrain requires them. Scree. Alpine paths. Thin air that thins further with every metre. At some point, Grawand appears — blurred, eventually, by the eyes doing what eyes do when the lungs have been working at that kind of rate.

Lungs on fire. Legs shaking. Views that don't care how you got there.

One more thing: book the VERTICAL alongside any other SAT distance and the entry price drops by 15%. Why suffer once when you can suffer twice at a discount.

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KEY FACTS

START

Date:
Thursday, July 30, 2026, 4:00 a.m.

Start:
Kurzras, Schnalstal

Finish:
Grawand, Schnalstal

ROUTE

Distance:
8.3 km

Elevation gain:
1,305 m

CUT-OFF TIMES

Time limit:
2.5 hours

THE ROUTE

Distance: 8.3 KM | Elevation gain: 1,305 m+

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PLEASE NOTE:

Book the VERTICAL alongside any Saturday distance — ULTRA, SKY, or SPEED — and receive 15% off the entry fee for that Saturday race. One early morning of suffering, one discount. The maths are straightforward.

The route runs through high alpine terrain, and high alpine terrain occasionally has opinions about the route. Short-notice course changes are possible. Any changes will be communicated before race day, at the race briefing, and via newsletter, so make sure you're on the list and show up on time.

Distance and elevation figures may vary by up to ±5% depending on measurement method. The numbers are a reliable guide, not a guarantee.

A medical certificate is required to participate. Download it here, fill it in, and upload it during registration. This is not optional.

ROUTE INFO GPX DOWNLOAD

RACE DISCOUNT FOR SALTY TRAIL HEAD MEMBERS

MEMBERSHIP OVERVIEW

MANDATORY EQUIPMENT

MEDICAL CERTIFICATE

A medical certificate is required to participate. Download it here, fill it in, and upload it during registration. This is not optional.

Equipment check before the start.

CLOTHING

  • Trailrunning shoes with grip sole
  • Running kit (moisture-wicking top and bottoms)

SAFETY

  • Mobile phone (fully charged) with race office number and emergency number (112) saved
  • First aid kit: 2x emergency blanket, 1x compress 10×10 cm, 1x emergency/Israeli bandage, 1x gloves, 4x wound plasters, emergency whistle
  • ID and health insurance number

NUTRITION

  • Drinking vessel (minimum 500 ml)

+ RECOMMENDED

  • GPX track saved on GPS watch or mobile phone
  • Personal nutrition
  • Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen, cap)
  • Mountain rescue insurance

COMPULSORY BAD WEATHER EQUIPMENT

Activated separately when conditions require it.

No training required. Just show up, make noise, and change someone's race.

SUPPORT & CHEERING ZONES

Here's the thing about trailrunners: they look invincible right up until the moment they absolutely aren't. And that's precisely when they need you.

The SAT Cheering Zone is where the race gets loud. No bib, no training, no problem. Bring a voice, possibly a cowbell, and the kind of energy that makes a completely wrecked person find a gear they didn't know they had.

They've been out there for hours, somewhere above 3,000 metres, having complicated conversations with themselves. You've been here, in the South Tyrolean valley, doing your very important job.

Make some noise. It works. We've checked.

INCLUDED IN PACKAGE

Starter pack including partner gifts

Finish line nutrition and drink

Medical support on course and at the finish area

Luggage storage

Finisher medal + Finisher certificate (download)

Route marking + safety by mountain rescue

A gondola ride back down you earned in a very specific, quad-based way.

Your bag, waiting for you at the summit. It got there by cable car. You did not.

A finish line at 3,190 metres, which is the kind of finish line you describe to people for years.

The navigation strategy, which is: up. That's the whole plan.

The honour of opening the SAT weekend. Everything that happens on Saturday starts here, on Thursday, during the lactate party.

A working familiarity with very steep terrain. Acquired on-site, non-transferable.

You know you're going to sign up eventually.

MIGHT AS WELL BE NOW.

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