Swiss Alpine Marathon (July 2003).
We looked for a different running challenge after several road marathons, and the result was a trip to Switzerland to try to complete the high-altitude off-road marathon based in Davos. There were various options, the main race being the K78 'Ultra' (48 miles). Realising our limitations, we ignored this, but reckoned we might manage the mountain marathon (K42) covering the 2nd half of the Ultra. 10 miles up to the first pass, a dip and up to the next pass, then 12 miles down. 1890 meters climb. Could we do it? Only one way to find out. Other options were a lower-level marathon (C42), a 30K run (K30), or a 28K Nordic walk, plus a team race (81K, bike/skate/run).
Davos is the highest town in Switzerland at 1560 meters, and living at sea-level, we knew the altitude could be a problem. The evening after arriving, we ran in the Nacht-Lauf (night-run). This included childrens races, elite races (with famous Kenyans etc), and an open 8K 'Volksrennen'. This was 3 laps round the town, and by the first bend the breathlessness and heavy legs emphasised our lack of acclimatisation.
Waiting for the start |
Alec in race mode |
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Our group had an optional 4½ mile run round the Davos lake each morning before breakfast.
Inspired by the sunshine and scenery, we joined in for a couple of days, hopefully to get more used to running at altitude, but then Alec preferred to 'taper' with coffee in bed instead. 
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Rosemarie takes an easier paced evening stroll. 
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| We also did an 8 mile run up the beautiful Dischma valley, which we would come down on the last section of our marathon.
Photos of Dischma valley run It was exceedingly hot, and we were glad to reach the inn at the top. There I discovered Apfel-wein! Not as strong as my favourite cider, but when they asked if I wanted 'clear' or 'cloudy' I knew it was the right stuff. |
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Various other activities were arranged during the week by the marathon organisation. A regional travel-pass was provided to all competitors, and we took the train and bus for a guided walk over the highest part of the marathon route. This showed us what to expect, and the trails were much rougher than anticipated, with scrambling over rocks and streams.
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Our lunch stop at the mountain refuge by the Kesch glacier was brief, as we could see a terrific thunder storm building up.
It hit us as we crossed to the Scaletta Pass, with lightning dancing all around us.
Everyone donned heavy-weather gear, and I started to worry - what if this happened during the race.
How much could I carry in my bum-bag? But the storm passed quickly, and we descended in sunshine again.
More photos of walk |
There were also walks to explore the first half of the ultra route (also used by the K30 and C42 races),
and the Sertig valley, which was previously part of the marathon route.
Photos of walks
We have never done so much activity in the week leading up to a marathon - has no-one here heard of tapering?
Marathon day dawned bright, but not too hot, and no storms forecast! Our race was not till 10:45, so we waited in Davos to cheer the others as they passed, after their 8am start. Then it was on to the train to our start at Bergun. The small village was a hive of activity - the finish area for the C42, the change-over for the teams, the front-runners for the K78 already going through, plus over 900 starters for our K42. It was quite crowded for the 1st 5K, but was relatively easy on good paths, and the next 5K continued on gravelled tracks, but still relentlessly upwards. Then suddenly we were off the track, on to a steep narrow footpath, and everyone was walking. Up and up, hands-on-knees, keeping the rhythm going. Almost no chance to run until we reach the drinks station at the Kesch-hutte mountain refuge. Then we lose a lot of our hard-won height, down to a 'runnable' path along the high valley to the next refuge. It's back to walking again up the steep zig-zag to the Scaletta pass. An amazing number of supporters have trekked up here, and the noise of the cow-bells is deafening. We have passed half way, and it is nearly all downhill from here. Now it is almost too steep to run down - loose scree and rocks adding to the difficulties. But we know that the path is much easier as soon as we get into the valley. I so nearly made it, but the drinks station came into view, I lost concentration, and splat! Instead of the proverbial marathon 'wall', I tripped and hit the rocks - literally. A badly gashed knee meant a hobble to the first-aid post, and a 15 minute lie-down while the knee was stitched up. Then, as everything seemed to be in working order, they let me carry on. I went cautiously, but this was the easiest part of the route, and I soon became confident of finishing. The hardest part of the whole thing was actually the last ½ mile, when we came out on to the road into Davos. It was straight, and hard, with no shade from the blazing sun. Then there was the turn on to the stadium track, and the cheering at the finish, and it was all worthwhile. |
Alec in rest and recovery mode. Would we do it again? Definitely.
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