The tenth Adamello Ultra Trail concluded successfully, showcasing the Pontedilegno-Tonale area of Northern Italy from September 20-22. The trail and ultra-running event, which crosses Alta Val Camonica and Alta Val di Sole, drew 900 participants from 32 countries. Runners explored the Adamello and Stelvio Natural Parks, as well as historical World War I sites.
Adamello Ultra Trail reinforced its status as one of Italy’s premier trail and ultra-running events, showcasing a growing international appeal. Participants in the 2024 edition unanimously praised the excellent organization by Adamello Ultra Trail ASD, further cementing the event’s reputation as a showcase for the entire region.
Luigi Sterli of the organization summarized, “The final outcome is extremely positive. Our tenth edition saw significant international growth, aligning perfectly with our mission. Joining the TORX eXperience circuit has certainly contributed to this success, alongside the continued support from the PontediLegno-Tonale Consortium and our sponsors.“
Paolo Gregorini, Mayor of Vezza d’Oglio, stated, “We’re immensely proud of this tenth Adamello Ultra Trail. Hosting the event in late September attracts tourists outside peak season, helping manage trail traffic. It reaffirms our area’s status as a premier outdoor sports destination, showcasing our offerings in cycling, running, skiing, culinary tourism, and more. We extend special thanks to all volunteers – they are the true backbone of this event.“
The success of Adamello Ultra Trail is a collaborative achievement, shared with numerous partners. Institutional support came from the Lombardy Region, the Pontedilegno-Tonale Consortium, the Union of Municipalities of Alta Valle Camonica, Mountain Area of Valle Camonica and various local institutions. MICO Sport continued its role as the main sponsor, joined by long-standing partners Edison, Ferrino, and Df Sport Specialist. The event also welcomed Salice, known for their Made in Italy eyewear, as a new sponsor since 2023.
UKRAINE’S BODNAR AND POLAND’S FICEK WIN THE 100-MILE
Ukraine’s Daria Bodnar claimed victory in the women’s 170 km at Adamello Ultra Trail 2024, crossing the finish line in Vezza d’Oglio after 35 hours, 14 minutes, and 35 seconds of grueling effort. In the men’s race, Poland’s Roman Ficek took the win on September 21, with a time of 25:46:27, outpacing defending champion Daniele Nava.
Despite being an unexpected contender at the start, Daria Bodnar secured her victory through a consistent pace and the motivation of representing her nation. Bodnar’s name now follows Italy’s Giulia Saggin in the event’s roll of honor.
The race, which began on Friday, September 20th at 9:00 AM, saw an initial all-Italian battle between pre-race favorites Alessandra Olivi and Cristina Filippini. The duo ran neck and neck until Cortebona, where Olivi was forced to withdraw due to a muscle problem.
Olivi’s withdrawal appeared to pave the way for Cristina Filippini, who finished second in the 100 km race in 2023. However, the local favorite soon began to lose ground. It was at this point that Daria Bodnar made her move, seizing control of the race at Malga Forgnuncolo (km 49) and maintaining her lead thereafter.
Natalia Roman Lopez of Spain held the second position for much of the race. Her gap behind Bodnar widened through the night and into Saturday morning, reaching over an hour by midday. However, the Spaniard faced disappointment in the final stages when Poland’s Malgorzata Tomik overtook her after Cima Costabella.
Tomik’s strong finish on Saturday saw her steadily gain ground, ultimately securing second place, 1:56:13 behind Bodnar. Natalia Roman Lopez completed the podium in third, crossing the finish line 2 hours and 26 minutes after the winner.
“This race is as challenging as it is beautiful, with excellent organization supporting you every step of the way,” an emotional Daria Bodnar praised at the finish. “The course is perfect, with few flat sections, just as I prefer. I took the lead around kilometer 50 and maintained it. While I’ve raced in Italy before, this was my first time in the Adamello area, and it’s stunning. I’m incredibly proud of this victory for myself and my country.“
NICOLINI AND MASCHI SECURE ITALIAN VICTORIES IN 35 KM RACE
Federico “Chicco” Nicolini, an accomplished Italian ski mountaineering athlete, claimed victory in the 35 km race from Monno to Vezza d’Oglio in the Pontedilegno-Tonale area. The Trentino native, who secured his first World Cup skimo win in Ponte di Legno in 2019, added another impressive achievement to his resume on September 21 by winning the 35 km Adamello Ultra Trail.
Nicolini led the shortest race of the event from start to finish, posting a remarkable time of 3:18:03, just under 4 minutes off Andreas Reiteter’s course record. While Gabriele Del Longo initially kept pace, Nicolini’s relentless tempo soon left his rivals behind. Even pre-race favorite Henry Hofer couldn’t match the pace, finishing second, 9:18 behind Nicolini. Gabriele Del Longo completed the podium, narrowly edging out his teammate Marco Piccin, who finished 17:39 behind the winner.
In the women’s race, Sophie Maschi caused an upset by outpacing pre-race favorite Raffaella Rossi. Maschi, originally from Milan and now residing in Bozen/Bolzano, finished in 4:05:11, showcasing her strong downhill skills. Rossi, a two-time winner of the event, had to settle for second place, 9:59 behind Maschi. Sara Dorato secured the final podium position, finishing 29:02 after the winner.
“I started cautiously due to some physical issues,” Maschi explained after the race. “Rossi and I ran together for most of the course, but I managed to pull ahead on the descents, which proved crucial for the win.“
ADAMELLO ULTRA TRAIL’S INTERNATIONAL APPEAL GROWS
The women’s 170 km and 35 km races concluded the tenth edition of Adamello Ultra Trail, which saw record-breaking international participation.
The event’s global reach was evident in the diverse lineup of winners: Poland’s Ficek and Ukraine’s Bodnar dominated the 100-mile race, while Switzerland’s Epiney and Germany’s Hilbert claimed victory in the 100 km event. Italy celebrated wins in the new Adamello Half Trail 60 km with Carrara and Moderana, and in the 35 km race with Nicolini and Maschi.
