Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon.
The Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon runs from St. Anton am Arlberg through the Verwall to Silbertal, linking Tyrol and Vorarlberg. What makes it hard is not the way over the Winterjöchle but the second big climb after kilometre 28, on legs already carrying a long descent, and that is what your preparation should be built around.
Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The start is on Dorfstraße in St. Anton am Arlberg and the finish at the Feuerwehrhaus in Silbertal, a good 400 metres lower and one province further on. This is a crossing on forest and hiking paths through the Verwall Natura 2000 area, over the Silbertaler Winterjöchle and past the Langsee.
The first half is an ascent in instalments. Between kilometres 1 and 15, six climbs follow one another with easier stretches between them. The longest starts at kilometre 9.7 and runs for 3.7 kilometres, while the steepest ramps of this section come from kilometre 6.4. Kilometre 16 brings the high point at just over 1,950 metres, and from there the course falls for almost 13 kilometres to around 1,100 metres.
Then comes what defines this marathon. From kilometre 28.9 the path rises for 2.6 kilometres at an average of almost 13 percent, with single ramps reaching 24 percent. Soon after, from kilometre 31.7, there are nearly two more kilometres uphill, which puts you back at around 1,560 metres by kilometre 34. The last eight kilometres drop almost 700 metres into Silbertal.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 1.2 | 1.9 km | 6.9 % | 21.3 % | +130 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 4.9 | 1.2 km | 5.1 % | 9.8 % | +61 m | — |
| km 6.4 | 2.3 km | 8.1 % | 22.4 % | +188 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 9.7 | 3.7 km | 5.6 % | 13.5 % | +208 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 13.7 | 0.8 km | 8.9 % | 14.9 % | +67 m | — |
| km 14.7 | 0.6 km | 7.6 % | 14.3 % | +46 m | — |
| km 28.9 | 2.6 km | 12.8 % | 24.2 % | +329 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 31.7 | 2 km | 7.5 % | 15.5 % | +147 m | Cat. 4 |
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 Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon.
Start under control
The good 400 metres of net drop are misleading: this marathon is not a downhill race but two mountains in a row. Treat the way up to the high point at kilometre 16 as a run-up rather than the race itself. Walk the early ramps above 20 percent without a bad conscience and settle back into a quiet running stride on the stretches between them.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided between kilometres 29 and 34. Almost 480 metres of climbing arrive there with two thirds of the distance already behind you. Plan the steep first part as a brisk, even hike, and run again only once the ground allows it.
Spend what is left
The trap sits directly before that. The long descent from the high point invites you to bank time, and from kilometre 26.7 it turns properly steep once more. Spend your quads here and you will have no power on the climb and no brakes on the final eight kilometres. Use the twelve aid stations, start and finish included, consistently from the beginning so that you do not reach the second mountain empty.
Training plan for Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon: 12-week build
Build the base
For age-group runners this is a day of roughly five to seven and a half hours. The effort stays mostly aerobic but keeps changing shape: running on the easier stretches, steep hiking on the ramps, long passages downhill. Anaerobic spikes occur only where you allow them on the steepest ground.
Train race pace
Everything leads to the climb after kilometre 29: more than 800 metres of unbroken descent in your legs, then almost 13 percent uphill. You should know that pattern before you stand on the start line. Place your longest runs so that a long downhill after two to three hours leads straight into a steep climb, and take that climb at the pace you intend to hold on race day.
Rehearse the course
Two skills carry the preparation. Steep hiking is a technique of its own: practise it in longer repeats on slopes above ten percent until you can move evenly without your heart rate running away. The other is downhill running under fatigue, because eight more kilometres of descent wait after the last climb. Regular descents and strength work for the quads, especially slow and controlled lowering movements, make the muscles robust enough for it.
Arrive fresh
The course stays on forest and hiking paths, so a good share of your volume belongs on uneven ground, which keeps you sure-footed into the last hour. With the race on 26 June, your long sessions fall in May and early June. Use them to test kit and fuelling over a comparable duration.
Courses
Download the Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
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Everything about Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon.
How long is Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon?
Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon is 42.2 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 Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon have?
Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon has around 1,271 m of elevation gain over 42.2 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon?
Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon is classified as Mountainous, averaging 30.6 vertical metres per kilometre. 10% of the route is flat, 26% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 16% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon have?
The hardest climb of Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon starts at kilometre 28.9, runs for 2.6 km at an average of 12.8% and gains 329 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 2. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon a loop course?
No, Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon course?
Yes. The Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg 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 Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon?
Preparation for Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon should account for 42.2 km, 1,271 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 Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon?
The pacing strategy for Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon should reflect 42.2 km, 1,271 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 Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon take place?
Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon takes place on June 26, 2027.
Where does Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon take place?
Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon takes place in Silbertal, Austria.
Which distances does Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon offer?
Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon offers 3 distances — Marathon: 42.2 km; T33 Trail: 33 km; Panoramatrail: 17 km.
How do I register for Raiffeisen Montafon Arlberg Marathon?
Registration runs through the organiser: montafon.at. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
