Curdin Perl and Annina Iseppi-Berri are the winners of the first Engadin night run. The two Engadines won the 17-kilometer race from Sils to Pontresina, which was mostly held in rain. That didn't detract from the atmosphere: they were cheered on by many hundreds of spectators on the track.
The full moon lost out on Thursday evening: The first Engadin night run took place mostly in rain. The 462 cross-country skiers therefore set off across the lakes and through the forests of the Upper Engadin with their headlamps switched on. At the finish line, they raved about the calm and camaraderie atmosphere in the field and the support from spectators and music formations.
Between the villages, the first Engadin night run was a run of silence: the trail was almost mystical, said many participants. The rain barely disturbed the atmosphere: Spectators and runners were not disturbed by the wet weather. 429 participants finally reached the finish line in Pontresina.
At noon, the start numbers were scarce
The organizers were surprised and delighted by the reporting results: “Although it was foreseeable that it would be a wet evening, 100 more people signed up on Thursday,” said marathon managing director Menduri Kasper. “At noon, the start numbers became scarce and we had to resort to a reserve of marathon numbers.”
Overall, the organization worked very well, summarized Kasper. Lights had been installed at critical points and many dozens of helpers ensured that everything worked out on the night-time route. The event was accident-free.
Winner Curdin Perl from Pontresina praised the organization and atmosphere of the first night run. Running at night was a great experience, although he was surprised a few times by bumps, said Perl at the finish line. After his completely botched 50-kilometer run at the World Championships in Lahti, this fun was really good for him and he is now really looking forward to Sunday's Engadin Ski Marathon.
Other highlights of the Engadin marathon week
The Engadin Marathon Week opened last Sunday with the 18th Women's Run. The race took place in the best conditions and 979 female runners reached the finish line in S-chanf.
On Friday evening, the marathon week continues with the next highlight: juniors and elite runners start the 37th night sprint in St. Moritz, for which several world-class athletes from Norway, France and Switzerland have signed up.
At the highlight on Sunday, around 13,000 participants are expected: The 49th Engadin Ski Marathon is to take place when the weather is nice. Late registrations are still possible until Saturday, 17:00.
Pictures: free download from Flickr.com
www.flickr.com/photos/engadin-ski marathon/albums/72157681131035846
Results of the 1st Engadin night run 2017 | Sils-Pontresina | 17 km
men's jumpsuit
- Perl Curdin, Pontresina SUI - 40,11.0
- Melcher Gian Duri, Samedan SUI - +1,04.7
- Fricke Kajetan, Prien GER - +1,07.2
- Escher Toni, A-Ried im Innkreis GER - +1,28.4
- Rusch Thomas, Appenzell SUI - +1.28.4
- Klyukvin Evgeny, Moscow RUS - +1.49.8
- Barannikov Alexey, Moscow RUS - +2,11.9
- Vliegen Erik, St. Moritz BEL - +3.02.8
- Ripamonti Gian Carlo, St. Moritz SUI - +5.33.2
- Zhitenev Ivan, Silvaplana RUS - +5,54.4
(314 classified)
women's jumpsuit
- Iseppi-Berri Annina, St. Moritz SUI - 50.14.5
- Pretat Seraina, Pontresina SUI - +0.08.6
- Raess Simone, Appenzell SUI - +0.13.0
- Buzzetti Christine, Samedan SUI - +0.28.7
- Boehm Jeannine, Samedan SUI - +3.02.4
- Kunz Nicole, Lengnau BE SUI - +3.14.4
- Hertenstein Simone, Liestal SUI - +3.44.5
- Oswald Pierangela, Pontresina SUI - +4.44.2
- Lüthi Leila, Pontresina SUI - +4.51.6
- Chen Sophie, Kuesnacht ZH SUI - +4.57.5
(115 classified)
Contact for more information
Engadin Ski Marathon
Menduri Kasper/Catherine Fischer
+41 81 850 55 55
presse@engadin-skimarathon.ch
Media support at the event
Christian Gartmann
+41 79 355 78 78