adidas TERREX INFINITE TRAILS

Thundering waterfalls, lush Alpine meadows, wildly romantic routes over old gold-digger paths, spectacular views of the Gamskar, Grau and Stubnderkogel mountains and much more. In reality, you’d need at least a week (if that was even enough) to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Gastein Valley in SalzburgerLand to the full.

At the adidas Infinite Trails everything happens in rapid pace. And high doses. The enjoyment of nature is intensified. Trail running in its finest form. What’s more, the extraordinary concept of the event manages to transform the individual sport of running into a team sport. Joy shared is double joy – or in the case of the Infinite Trails – tripled even. Because it’s not about completing the 99 kilometres and approximately 7,600 metres of elevation change over partly historical gold-digger paths and bridle paths alone, but in teams of three. That said, as is appropriate for a trail-running event, solo athletes can also let off steam here – more about this later.

(c) adidas TERREX INFINITE TRAILS, Ronny Katsch

What’s unique about the Infinite Trails, however, is the team competition.

THREE RUNNERS, THREE DIFFERENT DISTANCES, THREE UNIQUE ROUTE PROFILES:

Different loops are assigned according to individual preferences and strengths. Each person has to do one loop; nobody can do more than one. There are no separate age classifications. Women, men and mixed relay teams are permitted. The minimum age of participation is 18 years.

(c) adidas TERREX INFINITE TRAILS 2023, finishline teamrace

The first tough part of the race, however, is probably to figure out within the team who will take over which loop.

There is a choice:

• “Team Loop S” is a 21-kilometre round lap with an elevation change of 1,900 metres and is the shortest of the three routes in the competition. It leads over pleasant flowing trails on Europe’s largest “grass mountain”, the 2,467 metre-high Gamskarkogel. There, in one of the oldest mountain huts in the Alpine arena, an aid station awaits. It’s then back to the start and finish area in Bad Hofgastein.
• “Team Loop M” is 34 kilometres long, with an elevation change of 2,700 metres. Its extended route also takes place on the Gamskarkogel. First of all it goes towards the Schlossalm before ascending. As a reward, there are continuous spectacular views on the ridge to the Gastein and Grossarltal valleys, before it rolls back downhill to Bad Hofgastein.
• “Team Loop L” is the marathon distance in the team competition, a distance of 44 kilometres plus an elevation change of 3,000 metres. This is a challenge to be conquered – just the thing for those “mountain goats” amongst the runners who love uphill sections. The route leads over Poserhöhe, then over the Graukogel, on a technically demanding climb on the Tischkogel mountain, which at 2,432 metres, is the “roof of the route”. Its route continues along the ridge, then a little downhill before a climb of a few metres up to the Stubnerkogel mountain. The goal here is also to reach the Alpine arena in Bad Hofgastein.

(c) adidas TERREX INFINITE TRAILS 2023, Bad Gastein, Austria, Jens Klatt

Special Single Individual 65K

On top of all of this, there’s also a “special offer” for athletes who are endowed with an excessive amount of stamina. For individual starters there is namely an “Ultra” variation that leads over an impressive 65 kilometres and more than 5,100 metres in elevation gain. “Loop XL” doesn’t leave any of the scenic highlights of this mountainscape around Gastein out. All of the mountain peaks that have to be run, the Gamskarkogel, Palfnerscharte, Graukogel, Tischkogel and Stubnerkogel, line up before the participants like a string of pearls on the partly spectacular mountain-ridge passages. It is a veritable feast for trail runners who love vertical metres.

(c) Adidas Terrex Infinite Trails, Manuel Marktl

All too much? Everything too far? Too exhausting?

Is it all too much? Too far? Too difficult? None of these things work as an excuse at this year’s Infinite Trails, as there also a beginner’s variant. The “Loop XS” is 13 km in length and has an elevation change of 890 metres. Leading over forest paths, tarmac and trails, it is the perfect distance for those who want to get a fascinating taste of trail running.

In the case of the Infinite Trails a comprehensive pampering package is also included for athletes. It comprises of a shuttle service that brings the athletes from meeting points in all the village centres within Gastein Valley directly to the starting area, a massage to help sooth sore muscles, a visit to the Alpentherme Gastein Thermal Spa and a “Gasteinertalern” voucher with which you can get local specialities from Gastein cuisine in the participating restaurants, cafes and businesses in the valley.

There are alternative routes below the altitude of 1,800 m that are planned for the eventualities of adverse weather. Preparation has also been made for any possible coronavirus restrictions.

adidas TERREX INFINITE TRAILS 2024

06.-08.September 2023
Gastein/ SalzburgerLand
More information: adidas infinite-trails.com

(c) adidas TERREX INFINITE TRAILS, (c) Matthias Wendling