La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato.
The ultra at the La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato is a 66 km loop through the hills behind Finale Ligure that gathers more than 3,000 m of climbing from short, steep ramps rather than one big mountain. Finishing it well takes legs that can still descend cleanly over technical ground after the eighth climb.
La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Start and finish are in Finale Ligure just above the sea, and the course never rises above about 380 m. Even so, there is hardly a flat metre: eight distinct climbs of 165 to 255 m each are spread across the whole day, the first starting at km 2 and rising for a good kilometre and a half at 14 percent on average. Between them sit countless smaller rises that add up to roughly another 1,300 m.
The second half offers no respite. From km 34.8 comes the longest but gentlest climb of the day, almost three kilometres and steady enough to hike well. The finale is the opposite: a ramp starting at km 54.4 averages close to 16 percent, and just four kilometres later comes the steepest pitch of the whole loop, short but at around 24 percent. After one last bump the course drops over the closing kilometres back down to sea level.
The Finalese is known as outdoor country, and this route shows why: technical trails, limestone cliffs, caves and views of the sea, plus a passage right through the medieval castle of Finalborgo. The race is run by the club ASD Trailrunners Finale Ligure. Over long stretches the ground demands attention on every step, and across a day this long that wears you down more than the climbing alone.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 2.1 | 1.6 km | 14.3 % | 31.4 % | +225 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 7.4 | 1.5 km | 14.5 % | 49.7 % | +214 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 12.4 | 1.9 km | 13.5 % | 28.1 % | +254 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 26.2 | 1.3 km | 14.1 % | 28.2 % | +187 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 34.8 | 2.8 km | 8 % | 22.2 % | +221 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 46.8 | 1.5 km | 12.5 % | 52.1 % | +190 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 54.4 | 1.4 km | 15.9 % | 24.6 % | +227 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 58.4 | 0.7 km | 24.4 % | 40.8 % | +165 m | Cat. 3 |
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 La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato.
Start under control
Because no climb runs longer than three kilometres, each one tempts you to push it. That is exactly the mistake here: eight such ramps and the many rises between them add up, and the effort that feels easy at km 7 is missing after km 50. Walk the steep pitches from the start, short as they are, and keep the climbs at an intensity you could hold for a whole day.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided between km 54 and 60, where the two steepest climbs come close together. If you can still walk them steadily without stopping, you lose little. Arrive empty and you grind up the final ramp with no control left in your legs for the long descent to the finish.
Spend what is left
The second trap is downhill. A quarter of the course drops steeply, often over technical ground, and hammering the early descents wrecks your quads long before the second half begins. Run downhill loose and controlled, and save the speed for the final kilometres down to the sea.
Training plan for La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato: 12-week build
Build the base
For most age-group runners the ultra means a day of roughly nine to fifteen hours on their feet. The effort is aerobic at its core but never steady: steep ramps with pitches well above 20 percent alternate with equally steep descents, and there is almost nowhere to recover.
Train race pace
The decisive part is the last ten kilometres, with the two steepest climbs and the long descent that follows. So train to hike steep ground when you have already been out for hours: long runs on hilly terrain with the hardest climbs placed at the end, and back-to-back long sessions at the weekend so you learn what tired legs feel like.
Rehearse the course
Downhill strength matters just as much. Descents on technical paths, squats and lunges, and deliberate descents at the end of long sessions prepare your quads to move safely over rock after 50 km. Practise your footing on uneven ground too, because on this terrain every hesitation costs time and energy.
Arrive fresh
An early March date puts the whole build into winter. Keep the long runs in the plan regardless, and collect climbing wherever you find steep trails instead of counting kilometres on flat paths. Use those sessions to test food and kit for a full day out on the trails.
Courses
Download the La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
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Everything about La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato.
How long is La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato?
La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato is 66 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 La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato have?
La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato has around 3,191 m of elevation gain over 66 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato?
La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato is classified as Mountainous, averaging 48.9 vertical metres per kilometre. 7% of the route is flat, 22% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 22% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato have?
The hardest climb of La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato starts at kilometre 12.4, runs for 1.9 km at an average of 13.5% and gains 254 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 3. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato a loop course?
Yes, La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato course?
Yes. The La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato 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 La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato?
Preparation for La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato should account for 66 km, 3,191 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 La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato?
The pacing strategy for La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato should reflect 66 km, 3,191 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 La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato take place?
La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato takes place on March 7, 2027.
Where does La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato take place?
La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato takes place in Finale Ligure, Italy.
Which distances does La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato offer?
La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato offers 3 distances — Ultra del Marchesato: 66 km; Trail del Marchesato: 38 km; Mini Trail del Marchesato: 16 km.
How do I register for La Sportiva Trail Del Marchesato?
Registration runs through the organiser: traildelmarchesato.it. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
