Successful premiere of the PIUT with over 800 participants

The 1st edition of the Paznaun Ischgl Ultra Trail shows great potential. Stern, Roach, Mühlhuber with outstanding performances.

The weather gods were kind to more than 800 participants who tackled the 1st edition of the Paznaun Ischgl Ultra Trail on Saturday. There was a choice of distances of 85, 50, 30, 20 and 10 kilometres and up to 5,200 metres in altitude. It was definitely worth it for everyone who took part. The routes led through the middle of the fantastic mountain landscape on the Paznaun High Route, plus the special flair of the competition and the much-acclaimed finish in the centre of Ischgl.

Christian Stern with an outstanding best time, Marie-Luise Mühlhuber wins the women's race

The royal distance over 85 kilometres started at 2:00 am in See. Christian Stern from Stubai took the lead right from the start and clearly showed that success at this PIUT premiere was all about him. Throughout the entire competition with over 5,200 metres of elevation gain, he controlled the action and after 11:00 hours he was able to celebrate at the finish. He was followed by the German David Niegemann and Marcus Burger from Vorarlberg. Marie Luise Mühlhuber's performance was incredible. She finishes in 5th place overall with a time of 12:32 hours and wins the women's race ahead of the two Swedes Sanna (2nd) and Lina El Kott Helander (3rd).

Roach dominates over 50 kilometres, close decisions over the short distances

Runner-up Thomas Roach was all smiles at the start in Kappl. Because the 50-kilometre race is perfectly tailored to him. Steep climbs in the trails and rapid downhills, Roach really gets going. The Tyrolean by choice needs 04:58 hours and takes the win with aplomb. 2nd place behind Roach goes to the German Andreas Schindler, with the Tyrolean Peter Hausberger in 3rd place. German Lena Glasbrenner won the women's race (06:30 hours).

Decisions over the 30 and 20 kilometre distances

The strong South Tyrolean Lukas Gasser wins the 30 kilometre race. He leaves the German Johannes Hinterseer well behind. In the women's race, Sophia Moosbrugger, Marie-Therese Reich and Hannah Loidl achieved a domestic triple success. The two Germans Anja Kobs and Benedikt Hoffmann won the 20 kilometre race. And Charlotte DeWilde (BEL) and Wendal Lorenzen (AUT) won the PIUT TEN - Run for Charity, raising a total of 1,820 Euro for the "Verein für unschuldig in Not geratene Menschen im Paznaun".

Special routes throughout Paznaun

4 villages - 1 event, emphasising the diversity of the valley. The Paznaun High Route normally attracts countless long-distance hikers every year. Now, once a year, the 130-kilometre route is also transformed into the venue for the Paznaun Ischgl Ultra Trail, or PIUT for short. The stages from See via Kappl and Galtür to Ischgl are sometimes short and pleasant, sometimes long and challenging.

Satisfied organisers

Alexander von der Thannen (Chairman of the TVB Paznaun-Ischgl): "We are very happy that the PIUT has been so well received right from the start. With the villages of See, Kappl, Galtür and Ischgl, the whole valley is included and with the Paznaun High Route we can offer trail runners a special experience."

Lukas Kocher (co-organiser/race director): "All the efforts were worth it. Thanks to the support of so many helpers, rescue, mountain rescue, fire brigade, clubs and the well-coordinated team of the tourism association, such a big event can be realised well."