Sunday, February 12th will see 1,500 athletes participating in the Montalcino race.
There are several top runners and three competitive distances: 45 km, 24 km, and 14 km.
Registrations are open until Thursday, February 9th.
The 13 km walk is sold out.
Departure times, bib pickup, routes, and other services are available.
MONTALCINO – The countdown begins for the 6th Brunello Crossing: Montalcino and the hills of Val d’Orcia are ready to welcome the over 1,500 registered participants who, on Sunday, February 12th, will line up for the three competitive distances – 45, 24, and 14 km – and the 13 km walk.
A number, that of the athletes, destined to rise even further, as registrations will close on Thursday, February 9th.
Another success, therefore, for the event organized by Asd Montalcino Trail with the support of the Municipal Administration and the Consortium of Brunello di Montalcino. A further proof of how the quality of services for runners and the beauty and technicality of the routes always pay off.
All four events – the three races and the walk – will accompany the participants on a splendid journey to discover Val d’Orcia, through white roads, trails, and vineyards, against the backdrop of the Tuscan hills, villages, castles, and abbeys, along a territory appreciated worldwide.
COMPETITIVE DISTANCES AND START TIMES – All three competitive races will start from Piazza del Popolo, in the heart of Montalcino. Opening this sixth edition, with the start at 8:00, will be the 45km Banfi Trophy D+ 1,820m+, followed by the 24km Ciacci Piccolomini D’Aragona Trophy 1,050m D+ at 10:00, and the 14km Barbi Trophy 634m D+ at 10:45.
TOP RUNNERS? MORE AND MORE – In these last days, the already prestigious lineup of high-level athletes, all absolute protagonists of trail running, mountain running, and skyrunning, has further enriched. In the 45 km race, alongside Davide Cheraz, winner of the previous edition, Andreas Reiterer, bronze medalist at the World Championships and Italian champion in long-distance trail running in 2022, Simone Corsini, 5th at Tor des Géants 330 km in 2021 and 1st at Gran Trail di Courmayeur 100 km in 2022, Matteo Lucchese, who returns to Montalcino after dominating the 45 km race in 2018, and Roberto Gheduzzi, who extends the distance after winning last year’s 24 km Brunello Crossing, there will also be Andrea Rota, born in 2000, who at the last World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, held last November in Thailand, made his debut in the Senior category, securing an excellent seventh place in the 38 km Short Trail.
Among the women, Julia Kessler, the fastest last year in Montalcino and Italian long-distance trail champion in 2022, will find high-level opponents such as Marina Cugnetto, who boasts, among others, the third place at UltraDolomites.
In the 24 km competition, all eyes will be on Giacomo Forconi, strong from several notable placements in 2022, including the victory at Arezzo Wild Trail and the 5th place at Lavaredo Ultratrail by UTMB – Cortina Trail, and on the Turin-based Camilla Magliano, last year third in the Montemuro Vertical, in Castro Daire, Portugal, valid as the second mountain running race.
SPECIAL REMEMBRANCE FOR ALL FINISHERS – As tradition dictates, all finishers of the Brunello Crossing will receive at the finish line a wine glass with a sommelier glass holder. A truly special “medal” to reflect the delicacies of the territory.
This year, furthermore, a special tribute is reserved by the organizers to all those who have participated in all previous editions, regardless of the distance completed: they will be awarded a Vinocchio Decanter, an elegant and special container similar to a glass or crystal ampoule.
BIB PICKUP – It will be possible to collect the bib number on Saturday, February 11th, from 14:00 to 20:00 at the Complesso Museale Sant’Agostino, and on Sunday, February 12th, from 6:30 until half an hour before the start of the race in Piazza del Popolo.
BRACE PASTA PARTY – The pasta party returns to pre-pandemic tradition, seated and in good company, with a big novelty: the grill, which will allow everyone to enjoy Tuscan meats grilled on the spot. Foods and dishes are also provided for vegetarians and vegans. The Brace Pasta Party will be held on Saturday, February 11th from 19:00 to 21:00 and on Sunday, February 12th from 12:00 to 17:00 in the splendid cloister of Palazzo Pieri in Montalcino.
ALL SERVICES – The priority is the runner: this is the philosophy that guides the organizers. This is demonstrated by the numerous services provided to participants even in this sixth edition. Among them, the possibility of sleeping independently and free of charge at the Montalcino Municipal Gym (to use the service, it is necessary to send an email to info@brunellocrossing.it with the subject: sleeping independently. Limited to 50 places); the camper parking area at the Spuntone parking lot; the changing rooms and showers for post-race use at the Montalcino Municipal Gym; and the bag storage in Piazza del Popolo.
Furthermore, on Saturday, February 11th, at 5:30 PM, at the Teatro degli Astrusi, there will be a briefing for the competitions, a fundamental appointment for the athletes, allowing them to plan their race strategy.
REGISTRATIONS – Two more days until registration closes. It will be possible to register for the three competitive distances until Thursday, February 9th, on the event’s website: www.brunellocrossing.it
THE 13 KM WALK – The Brunello Crossing – Walk & Nordic Walking, the 13 km walk that also allows those who want to enjoy the beauty of the area without worrying about speed or timing, will have its first start on Sunday, February 12th at 8:30 AM from Torrenieri (a shuttle service from Montalcino to the starting point is provided for registered participants). Participants will be divided into waves (the second will start at 10:00 AM and the third at 10:30 AM). The event, once again, has proven to be very popular, so much so that the organizers had to close registrations for the time being. They are working to ensure that more people have the opportunity to participate while maintaining the same levels of quality and safety.
Race bib collection: Saturday, February 11th, from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at the Sant’Agostino Museum Complex and Sunday, February 12th, from 8:30 AM until half an hour before the start of your wave, at the old Torrenieri station.