810 runners started the second Engadin night run in Sils on Thursday. For the majority of participants, the ranking did not matter much; they enjoyed the unique atmosphere of the race. Finn Kari Varis won for men, Czech Klara Moravcova won for women.
The Engadin night run is already a crowd-puller. In only its second edition, 810 women and men set off on the 17-kilometer route through the Engadin night from Sils to Pontresina. At the premiere last year, it was 469. At their destination, they were all beaming. Even the top runners raved about the unique atmosphere.
The local Curdin Perl was determined to repeat his victory from the previous year and win the Engadin Night Run for the second time.
Just a few kilometers after the start, he had set himself apart with a leading group and was always in the top positions. In Stazerwald, he tried to force the decision, but Finn Kari Varis and Norwegian Petter Soleng Skinstad couldn't be shaken off. As far as Pontresina, the three had gained an advantage of one minute. Perl led through the last downhill and the last hairpin before the finish line. There, however, he was taken by surprise by the two Scandinavians and was passed through to third place on the home straight.
He had probably not studied the route with the last bend carefully enough, he said laughing at the finish line.
For women, the decision was more obvious: Czech Klara Moravcova won by more than 1.25 minutes ahead of Russian Olga Nazarova and surprising Ursina Badilatti. Although she was almost four minutes behind the winner, she was still overjoyed at the finish line. The Poschlaverin, who retired from competitive sports in 2013, started the race without any preparation and had not expected a top position.
2nd Engadin night run: Sils-Pontresina (17 km)
Results: men's overall
- Varis Kari (FIN), 39,22.0
- Skinstad Petter Soleng (NOR), +0.02.0
- Perl Curdin (Pontresina), +0.02.9
- Devyatyarov Mikhail (RUS), +1.04.8
- Klyukvin Evgeny (RUS), +1,08.5
- Fischer Remo (Safnern), +1,30.5
- Rogantini Marco (St. Moritz), +2.53.8
- Kallio Vesa (FIN), +2,54.1
- Barannikov Alexey (RUS), +3.17.4
- Raez Curdin (Sils/Segl Maria), +3.41.3
Results: women's overall
- Moravcova Clara (CZE), 44.32.7
- Nazarova Olga (RUS), +1.25.4
- Badilatti Ursina (Poschiavo), +3,57.5
- Buzzetti Moritz Christine (Samedan), +4.31.9
- Hüberli Muriel (Scuol), +4,59,7
- Vontobel Andrea (Pontresina), +5.14.0
- Rädler Jenny (GER), +6,20.2
- Iseppi Annina (St. Moritz), +6,40.8
- Kunz Nicole (Lengnau BE), +7,35.9
- Count Sabine (GER), +7,36.4