Marathon-WM 2019

Pauline Ferrand Prevot, Marathon-WM 2019

The 2019 Marathon World Championships in Grächen impressed with an exceptionally attractive route. Rarely have the marathon specialists had so many trails under their wheels at international championships. The route is also suitable as a "normal" bike tour - provided you have a good level of fitness.

Description

The starting point of the 2019 Marathon World Championships is the village of Grächen in the Mattertal. The start loop above the village along the Eggeri-Suone gives a first taste of the route ahead. After passing through the village again, the route rides almost as far as the Hohtschugge inn. Immediately before this, turn left into the varied descent - initially on gravel roads, but then soon on fun single trails. In serpentine mode, you descend to Kaleptran and then along the main road for a while and finally on gravel roads down to the historic bridge below Stalden. Then the fun is over for the time being: the 800-metre ascent up to Riedji takes you along a road, but it's the first time you'll feel the strain. Eventually you reach Visperterminen, where the fun of riding comes to the fore again. First slightly downhill to Hotee, then over the now well-known super trail through the Teelwald forest to Visp. You then roll along the Vispa river to warm up for the next long climb, this time 700 meters up to Zeneggen. For the descent ahead, trail fun is once again the order of the day. Via Törbel and Embd, you descend to the valley floor at Kalpetran, the starting point of the final ascent. You follow the marked bike route to St. Niklaus, now in phases even uphill on single trails, until you have to tap into your last reserves of energy on the gravel road via Tennjen and Gasenried back to Grächen. After entering the village of Grächen, the racers have to do another small lap so that the spectators have something to watch. However, no one will be disappointed if they head straight for a beer garden. You certainly deserve it. Conclusion: the course of the 2019 World Marathon Championships is possibly the most attractive race course the sport of marathon racing has ever seen.

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