Watch and even mingle with Europe’s best endurance racers, who will be demonstrating their skills, strength, tenacity and courage at the second Ischgl Overmountain Challenge. It’s running from Friday 12 to Sunday 14 September 2014 at the Silvretta Bike Arena, which is between Ischgl and Swiss Samnaun High Country Valley.

The Ischgl Overmountain Challenge will take place against a backdrop of inspiring Alpine scenery and infinite, breathtaking trails.  Enjoy yourself with old friends or make new ones while you watch some of the best in their field compete against each other – stars such as Jérome Clementz, 2013’s champion and the winner of the 2013 Enduro World Series, and Nico Lau, both of whom have already confirmed their attendance and participation.

If you want to get involved, the competition section is simple and designed to be fun!  Your time will be recorded over certain sections of the trail, so you can cycle at your own pace. Naturally, you will want to go as fast as you can – but do take a moment to appreciate the beauty and freshness of the Silvretta Alps.  Finally, the times from the various sections are added together and the competitor with the best overall time will be named the winner.

Prefer not to cycle to the top? You and your bike can take the cable car up instead, then you can take in the spectacular views and cycle back down.

Do you expect to take public transport to the event? You can now plan your journey in advance.

You can run up and down European marathons in Paris, Rome, and Stockholm but never see the beautiful sights on display each year during the Silvretta Run 3000. This cross-country tour takes runners up into the hills of Paznaun, where they can choose three different routes: easy, medium, and hard. For a thirty two Euro entry fee, five Euro of which goes to support the spinal cord Wings for Life charity, runners can speed their way through (or take a leisurely run) through the 3000-meter peaks and valleys of the Austrian Alps. The race begins at 15:00 on Friday 18 July and concludes at approximately 17:00 of Saturday 19 July at the Galtür Sports Centre.

The easiest route rises only about three hundred meters from the starting point to the highest point and is an excellent way to get accustomed to mountain running. The longer races, however, stretch out over the course of a half or full marathon (28 and 43 kilometers, respectively) and challenge all runners to perform at their physical peak for the duration. Each finisher receives a gift as well as food and water along the race, luggage transport to the start, and shower facilities at the conclusion of the marathon.

Registration takes place at the Paznaun-Ischgl tourist authority. Anyone who wants to watch the race without actually running up and down the mountains can take in the beginning at the namesake Silvretta Square in Ischgl; anyone willing to follow the runners up and down the Alps by following the trail through the Fimbatal Valley. Those who find the race challenging enough for their tastes can come back in the later months for the Ironbike 2014, which takes them through more hills in the Austrian Alps on the seat of a mountain bike.

Those staying in Ischgl for the marathons or mini-marathons can find accommodation at four-star hotels like the Hotel Marangun.