The Lavaredo Ultra Trail wasn’t just another race on my calendar — it became one of the defining experiences of my running life. Set against the jagged silhouettes of the Dolomites, this race pulled me into 120 kilometers and roughly 5,800 meters of climbing that tested everything I thought I knew about endurance.
Why I Signed Up for the Lavaredo Ultra Trail
I’d heard about Lavaredo for years before I finally committed. Established in 2008, the race takes its name from the “Tre Cime di Lavaredo” — the Three Peaks that dominate the skyline and became the symbolic centerpiece of my entire race. I wanted a course that would humble me, and everything I’d read told me this was it.
Starting in Cortina d’Ampezzo
The race starts and finishes in Cortina d’Ampezzo, a town that felt like it was built for exactly this kind of gathering — runners from dozens of countries filling the streets the night before, nervous energy everywhere I looked. Standing at the start line, surrounded by people who’d traveled just as far as I had to be there, I remember thinking that whatever happened over the next day and night, I was already part of something bigger than my own race.
The Course: Where the Lavaredo Ultra Trail Tests You
Nothing prepared me for the scale of what came next. The course wound through lush valleys before climbing into increasingly technical terrain, past landmarks I’d only seen in photos — the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Cinque Torri, and the impossibly blue Lago di Braies. Each one arrived like a reward for the climb that came before it, and each one reminded me why people fly across the world for this race.
The elevation profile is where Lavaredo really earns its reputation. With a high point around 2,500 meters, I hit long stretches where my legs burned on the ascents and my knees complained just as loudly on the descents. I’d trained on hills back home, but nothing quite replicates 5,800 meters of cumulative climbing — by hour twenty, altitude and fatigue were working together against me, and I had to dig into a level of mental focus I hadn’t needed before.
The Aid Stations and the People Who Kept Me Going
What surprised me most wasn’t the scenery — it was the people. At every aid station, volunteers were waiting with food, hot drinks, and an energy that felt almost impossible given the hour of the night. Spectators showed up in the middle of nowhere, at 3 a.m., just to cheer on strangers. Somewhere around hour thirty, exhausted and half-convinced I couldn’t finish, that support carried me forward more than any gel or electrolyte ever could.
Crossing the Finish Line
Coming back into Cortina d’Ampezzo and crossing that finish line is a moment I still think about. It wasn’t just the physical relief — it was everything the race had asked of me over those hours, all arriving at once. I’ve run other races before and since, but few have demanded this much and given this much back in return.
What Lavaredo Taught Me
If you’re considering the Lavaredo Ultra Trail, know that it will ask more of you than the distance suggests. It’s not just about finishing 120 kilometers — it’s about what you learn about yourself somewhere around hour twenty-five, when the only thing left is to keep moving. Some of the training that got me ready for a course like this started much closer to home, on trails I know well — even a route like Valea Budului taught me lessons about pacing that I carried all the way to the Dolomites.
If you want the official race details, distances, and registration information, the UTMB World Series page for Lavaredo has everything you need to start planning your own attempt.
