Polish double Olympic champion Justyna Kowalczyk won the Engadin night run from La Punt to Pontresina. She outclassed last year's local winner Ilaria Gruber by more than three minutes. With the men, Roman Alder and Elia Beta, two Pontresinans rose to the skies after a thrilling final phase. More than 800 registrants meant a record number of participants.
The men's race was fiercely contested. Roman Alder from Pontresina was always at the forefront and came out on top in the end. The 20-year-old won three and a half seconds ahead of Elia Beti, also from Pontresina. German Toni Escher finished third, 11 seconds behind.
For women, Polish woman Justyna Kowalczyk ran her own race. She set her own pace from the start and after 16 kilometers in Pontresina came in as the winner. Last year's winner Ilaria Gruber from Silvaplana was second, more than 3 minutes behind, Christa Ehrenzeller-Jäger from Valens (SG).
With regard to Sunday's marathon, winner Roman Alder is pleased with this confirmation of form in a pleasant atmosphere. “The spectators on the track and the atmosphere in the dark are uniquely beautiful. I'm really looking forward to the marathon.” Justyna Kowalczyk also enjoyed the run from La Punt to Pontresina. “I always feel better up than down. It was a good decision to turn the race around,” said the Olympic champion from Vancouver in 2010 and Sochi in 2014.
Kowalczyk had already finished second in the Engadin Women's Run, but doesn't want to know anything about a favorite role in the marathon: “I'll do my best and simply enjoy the run.”
Modification in just 12 hours
The Engadin night run route had to be completely changed at very short notice: knee-deep water and slush on the ice layer of Lake Silvaplana had made it impossible to prepare the sea trail between Sils and Silvaplana. For example, the night run led from La Punt via the Samedan airfield and golf course to Pontresina for the first time. Although the replacement route was one kilometer shorter than the original, it was still more exhausting because it led up the valley and a constant headwind was blowing.
As always, the Engadin night run was dominated by bright faces: Like hardly any other sports competition, this is about togetherness and enjoyment. The perfectly groomed trail contributed to the good atmosphere, and countless participants congratulated the organizers on their organizational effort: In just 12 hours, they had completed a new route, built a new start room and made everything work smoothly.
“Never before have so many runners started the Engadin night run. The more than 800 registrations are the biggest compliment that cross-country skiers could give us and all our volunteers,” said Menduri Kasper, CEO of the Engadin Ski Marathon, at the finish line in Pontresina. He and his team of more than 1,000 volunteers still have a lot to do until Sunday: The starting system for the marathon in Silvaplana must be set up in just three days.
Results: Engadin night run, La Punt—Pontresina, 16 km
women
- Kowalczyk Justyna (POL) 44,00.4
- Gruber Ilaria, Silvaplana (GR) +3,08,6
- Ehrenzeller-Jaeger Christa, Valens (SG) +3.09.4
- Elmer Malia, Elm (GL) +3.11.6
- Jaeger Barbara, Buchs (SG) +6,28.3
- Seeberger Cristina, Celerina (GR) +7,27.6
- Bachmann Flurina, Pontresina (GR) +8.11.2
- Oswald Pierangela, Pontresina (GR) +9.33.6
- Bär Natascha, Kandersteg (BE) +9.51.2
- Stöckli Michele, Davos Village (GR) +10,48.6
men
- Alder Roman, Pontresina (GR) 41,08.7
- Beti Elia, Pontresina (GR) +3.5
- Escher Toni (GER) +11.6
- Bläsi Robin, Lenzerheide (GR) +21.8
- Sorin Egor, St. Moritz (GR) +36.9
- Defila Nicola, Chapella (GR) +54.2
- Bärfuss Jonas, Samedan (GR) +1,45.7
- Barandun Fadri, Samedan (GR) +2,06.1
- Becker Manuel (GER) +2,08.5
- Urfer Jens, Wichtracht (BE) +2,17.3
Media release of the Engadin Ski Marathon dated March 7, 2024.
Christian Gartmann has been Communications and Media Officer at the Engadin Ski Marathon since 2014 and advises organizers on crisis management and crisis communication.