FROM THE DOLOMITES TO QUÉBEC: A TRANSATLANTIC PARTNERSHIP
The 12 renowned peaks of Quebec and the southern group of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Two different manifestations of the concept of mountains. On one hand, the lush forest and rounded peaks of the French corner of Canada. On the other, the brilliance of the majestic dolomite rock that seems to pierce the sky above the Alps. Two distinct regions that have become equally iconic in the world of ultra trail running, thanks to the challenges their trails offer.
Two journeys that become linked in the “Dolomiti Extreme Trail & Bromont Ultra: A Transatlantic Race,” promoted by Karpos. Beginning in 2024, the overall winners of the Bromont Ultra 160K will be able to take on one of the challenges offered by the Dolomiti Extreme Trail at the beginning of June, embarking on an unforgettable experience on the untamed trails of the Dolomites. Those who are first to cross the finish line of the DXT 72K in Forno di Zoldo will be able to fly to Canada in October and compete in one of the distances offered at the most important ultra trail event in francophone Canada.
“The goal of this partnership is to create a bridge between the communities of trail runners,” explains Giuseppe Lira, Karpos brand manager. “We want to give the winners of the two races that we partner with the opportunity to try new challenges, learn about new areas and compete with athletes who share the same passion. Ultimately, the mountains, whatever their local differences, have something fundamental in common that brings us all together.”
Five distances to run, through woods and Dolomite crags, taking in that pale vertical rock, overhanging at times, that rises up to touch the sky. This is the setting for the Dolomiti Extreme Trail, a journey through the southern massifs of the Monti Pallidi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Spiz di Mezzodì, Pramper, Civetta, Pelmo, and Bosconero), listening to the crunch of scree under your shoes and the gentle flow of the streams along the route around the Val di Zoldo (province of Belluno). An extreme journey to rediscover the mountains that have shaped our outdoor nature and a land where time seems to stand still.
EVENT HISTORY
The Dolomiti Extreme Trail, or DXT for short, was first held in 2013 and immediately won over the public. It has now reached the important milestone of the 10th edition. It’s a competition that, year after year, has built its reputation on the solid foundations of hospitality and incomparable landscapes, like those of the Dolomites. Amazing places where you can run while breathing in the crisp air of the high mountains and feasting your eyes on vertical panoramas, towers, and limestone peaks that emerge with their pale rock from the green of the woods.
An outgrowth of the passion of a group of friends, DXT has now reached an international scale … it’s impossible to resist the call of the Dolomites. This is confirmed by the record numbers achieved in 2022, with the participation of 1,600 athletes from more than 50 countries. A profile that allowed the Dolomiti Extreme Trail in 2022 to be added to the Alpe Adria Trail Cup race circuit, which features some of the most extreme events in international trail running.
Although its fame has grown over time, the spirit of DXT has remained unchanged, preserving the authenticity of the dream of a group of friends with a passion for mountain running and for the Dolomites, where it all started. Today, two of these individuals, Paolo Franchi and Corrado De Rocco, carry on that dream that combines challenge with discovery of the province of Belluno — thanks also to the efforts of more than 300 volunteers who support the athletes along the route and in the rifugios, as well as performing important maintenance work on the trails throughout the year."
THE ROUTES
DOLOMITES FOR EVERYONE
The Dolomiti Extreme Trail is an event designed to allow everyone to experience the beauty of the Dolomites. For this reason, in recent editions the organizing committee has launched two initiatives to promote inclusiveness. The first is the Mini DXT, a shortened course designed to introduce children to mountain sports and allow them to discover the beauty of the area around them. Second, in 2021, in collaboration with paraclimber and trail runner Moreno Pesce, two routes (a 55 km relay and an “inclusive route”) designed for athletes with physical disabilities were introduced. Athletes with amputations can thus immerse themselves in the panoramas of the Dolomiti Extreme Trail with the support of guides and companions, thus allowing for “inclusive tourism.”
