Edited by:
redazione
The fourth edition of the Tour Trail della Valle d'Aosta started off with a bang and with a Castle's Trail that immediately showed its worth on its debut. A popular 23-kilometre route, 382 competitors registered (366 started) and a day to remember on the trails of Verrès, Montjovet and Challand-Saint-Victor. From the centre of Verrès to the castle of the same name, from Villa di Challand to La Croce. Up and down, trails and meadows, amidst the beauty of the Lower Aosta Valley and places that were unknown to many.
For the first competitors, there was no time to look around. Tight challenge to inscribe one's name in the roll of honour of the Castle's Trail. In front of the castle of Verrès, the group was already very stretched out. The race then turns on in the stretch leading to La Villa-Challand. Dennis Brunod is leading by a handful of seconds over Mathieu Brunod (son of Bruno Brunod) and Enzo Mersi. In the final stretch they fly, they go at full speed, they are expected at the finish line after 2h 30', but they beat all expectations. Triumphing is Dennis Brunod in 1h 58'40", ahead of Mathieu Brunod (2h 03'19") and Enzo Mersi (2h 05'03").
A hard-fought and uncertain race to the last, the women's one. At La Villa-Challand Sonia Glarey crossed first, ahead of Enrica Perico. Third was Sonia Locatelli who on the final climb accelerated, ahead of Glarey and Perico and took the victory after 2h 33'27" of race. Second place for Sonia Glarey (2h 35'16"), third Elisabetta Negra (2h 40'50") who recovered in the final stretch and overtook Perico. Two starts, with around thirty children running through the central streets of the village, a nice initiative that also involved schools. No rankings, no prize-giving, just equal recognition for all and a non-competitive race under the banner of fun.
Dennis Brunod -"I struggled a bit in the first hour of the race, on the flat I tried to adjust because I have a calf problem, then in the last few tears I tried to stretch, I made the difference in the final. Sonia Locatelli - "I made the difference in the long descent from the castle La Villa, then I forced the pace on the last climb, it was a beautiful race with spectacular passages, even if I had little time to look around, in the short races I shoot straight, I'm used to run longer distances".
After the great success of the first edition, the organisers have already relaunched for next year. The date is still being finalised, but it will be around mid-March. Appointment with Castle's Trail to 2018, while the Tour Trail della Valle d'Aosta will resume in June, with the classic Licony Trail scheduled for 10 June. Registrations are already open on Wedosport.
Information: www.tourtrailvda.com