Vibram is the official sponsor of the Lavaredo Ultra Trail event, the famous trail running competition that is in its tenth year and is part of the Ultra Trail World Tour Circuit. It will take place between the 24th and 25th of June in the stunning setting of the Dolomites, a landmark for trail running enthusiasts from all over the world.
The event is set for Friday 24th June, in the heart of the "Queen of the Dolomites" - Cortina - which will be illuminated by thousands of head torches worn by the over 1,300 runners taking part in the Lavaredo Ultra Trail, which extends over a route of 119km with a height difference of 5,800m. The number of participants rises to 3,300 if we consider the two races that take place at the same time, the Cortina Trail (47km with a height difference of 2650m) and Cortina Skyrace (20km with a height difference of 1,000m).
The competition's participants will also include the high-profile Vibram Trailrunning Team: the Lithuanian Gediminas Grinius, the Spaniards Uxue Fraile and Javier Dominguez, Russian Yulia Baykova, British Carlton Rowlands, and the Italians, Stefano Ruzza and Marco Zanchi, who will take part in the race, bringing big ambitions and a lot of enthusiasm. Each athlete has undertaken a special training programme and will tackle the race with their own individual strategy, yet the whole team will wear shoes fitted with the Vibram Megagrip compound, the best for facing the competition's rough terrain.
The Lavaredo Ultra Trail will also be a chance for Vibram to promote the performance of the Megagrip compound to any and all interested runners. Right in Cortina, from the 23rd to the 25th of June, you will find the Vibram Sole Factor truck stationed in the area in front of the Olympic Ice Stadium. "On the truck, our expert cobblers will offer runners the chance to resole their trail running shoes with the Megagrip compound" explains Jerome Bernard, Vibram Marketing Director, highlighting that "Megagrip allows you to tackle alpine trails, which are often transformed into extremely dangerous and slippery terrain by weather conditions, with superior safety and peace of mind". The number of resoles that can be carried out - due to the fact that they are "technically" limited - will be evaluated by the truck manager based on the number or requests and the time available.
For anyone who is interested or runners that are still not entirely convinced, in the area in front of the truck you will find a "Megagrip Test Area" set up with special ramps covered in wet rock. "Trying Megagrip on a wet surface means you are sure to choose it", states Gediminas Grinius, the Lithuanian athlete on Team Vibram, one of the favourites in this edition of the Lavaredo Ultra Trail.
On Thursday 23rd at 3p.m. the athletes of the Vibram Trailrunning Team will be at the truck to meet fans for a nice meet and greet with a photo opportunity: a unique occasion to discover some of the secrets of these extraordinary champions!