Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon.
The Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon starts at Monte Pana, circles the Sassolungo group and never touches a metre of tarmac. Its test is one long ramp early in the race and an equally long descent at the end, with a good stretch of running above 2,000 metres in between.
Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Start and finish are on Monte Pana above Santa Cristina in Val Gardena. After a short rise straight out of the start the first two kilometres stay moderate, then comes the ascent that shapes the race: from km 2 the course gains about 450 metres in three and a half kilometres, averaging 13 percent and much steeper in places. By km 5.5 you are above 2,100 metres.
From there to around km 14 the loop runs high along the massif, between roughly 2,150 and 2,320 metres. This section is not flat: short, sometimes very steep counter-climbs alternate with small drops, none longer than about a kilometre. Then the last seven kilometres lose almost 700 metres back down to Monte Pana, steepest between km 15 and 17.5.
The surface is entirely unpaved, roughly half footpath and half gravel and rocky trail. On its way around Sassolungo the loop passes through five municipalities. The race reaches its ninth edition in 2027 and is part of the UTMB World Series in the 20K category. Refreshments are at about km 5.5, 10, 14.5 and 18.5, plus the finish.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 0.2 | 0.8 km | 9.4 % | 12.2 % | +75 m | — |
| km 2 | 3.5 km | 13 % | 26.8 % | +453 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 5.8 | 1.3 km | 8.6 % | 20.3 % | +107 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 8.2 | 0.6 km | 6.7 % | 15.1 % | +37 m | — |
| km 9 | 0.6 km | 14.7 % | 21.6 % | +85 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 10.8 | 0.6 km | 9.9 % | 23.4 % | +57 m | — |
| km 11.8 | 1 km | 7.7 % | 24.7 % | +79 m | — |
| km 13.6 | 0.4 km | 3.7 % | 13.3 % | +14 m | — |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
How to pace Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon.
Start under control
Almost half the course is steep, uphill and downhill, and the vertical is not spread evenly: the big climb sits between km 2 and 5.5, the big descent starts at km 14. Budget your effort for those two blocks, not for an average per kilometre.
Hold your rhythm
The trap is at the start. The moderate first kilometres and a fresh field invite a pace you will miss on the steepest parts of the main climb, where a strong power hike is often faster than forced running. Arrive at the top empty and you keep losing time on the high middle section, because above 2,000 metres you recover more slowly between the short ramps than you would in the valley.
Spend what is left
The race is often decided on the way down. Almost 700 metres of rock and gravel demand concentration and legs that still hold. Keep enough in reserve through the middle so you can run the descent from km 14 with control rather than just braking.
Training plan for Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon: 12-week build
Build the base
Age-group runners spend roughly two and a half to almost four hours on the loop. The load is uneven: a long block of steep climbing, then a rolling section at altitude full of pace changes, and finally a descent that mostly hits the quads.
Train race pace
The climb after km 2 asks for sustained strength on steep ground. Train long hill intervals of 20 to 40 minutes on double-digit slopes, mixing running with brisk hiking, with poles if you plan to race with them. That teaches you at which gradient hiking becomes the better choice for you.
Rehearse the course
Downhill running on tired legs matters just as much. Put steep descents on gravel and rocky paths deliberately at the end of long sessions, so footing and muscles still work after two hours. Eccentric strength work such as slow squats and lunges prepares the quads for the almost 700 metres at the end.
Arrive fresh
The race is held in early June in high-alpine terrain, with around half the course above 2,000 metres. If you can, spend some training days in the weeks before at similar altitude and on similar ground, to feel how breathing and pace change up there.
Courses
Download the Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
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Everything about Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon.
How long is Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon?
Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon is 21 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon have?
Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon has around 947 m of elevation gain over 21 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon?
Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon is classified as Mountainous, averaging 44.4 vertical metres per kilometre. 7% of the route is flat, 20% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 23% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon have?
The hardest climb of Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon starts at kilometre 2, runs for 3.5 km at an average of 13% and gains 453 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 2. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon a loop course?
Yes, Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon course?
Yes. The Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon?
Preparation for Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon should account for 21 km, 947 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon?
The pacing strategy for Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon should reflect 21 km, 947 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon take place?
Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon takes place on June 5, 2027.
Where does Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon take place?
Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon takes place in Santa Cristina Valgardena, Italy.
How do I register for Dolomites Saslong Half Marathon?
Registration runs through the organiser: saslong.run. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
