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.
