For thousands of cross-country skiing enthusiasts, the Engadin Marathon Week – comprising the Engadin Women's Race, the Engadin Night Race, the Engadin Half Marathon and the Engadin Skimarathon – marks the high point of the cross-country skiing season. It had to be cancelled two years in a row due to the pandemic. After the involuntary two-year hiatus, the anticipation for the four races set in the Upper Engadin's spectacular landscape and their modifications is all the greater.
As a first, Pontresina will host the marathon village and the race bib distribution this year. Equally a first: the Start of the marathon and the half-marathon, both in Maloja, will take place in 29 waves, and the route between Pontresina and Samedan will now pass through Celerina.
A new starting format and a change of route after Pontresina
The new starting format in 29 waves of no more than 500 racers creates more space in the starting area for each participant and is set to reduce individual waiting times and the scrambling for a front-row spot. Ensuring the health of all participants and volunteers is of prime importance to the organisers of the Engadin Skimarathon. The new starting format contributes significantly to that aim.
The change of route in the section from Pontresina to Samedan also benefits the participants. Just outside Pontresina, the route leads across a bridge to the left bank of the river Flaz. Through an underpass made wider, it then overcomes the the train tracks. It then leads into a new loop near Celerina's ancient Church of San Gian before taking the racers through another remodeled underpass under the valley's main road to the flatlands around Samedan airport. Besides being more picturesque, the new route will eliminate the congestion at the foot of the Muottas Muragl cableway.
Demand for the starting spots is high.
More than 11,000 participants have signed up for the Engadin Skimarathon to date, including world-class athletes such as the Swiss superstar Dario Cologna, who is looking to round off his last competition season with a fifth win at the Engadin Skimarathon. «We are very pleased to see so many signed up for the race. Come marathon Sunday, we anticipate around 12,000 racers, who will set off for the most beautiful 42 kilometres the winter has to offer,» says Menduri Kasper, the managing director of the Engadin Skimarathon. «For the Engadin Women's Race and the Engadin Night Race, we expect some 600 to 1,000 participants each.»
Covid passes are no longer required; mandatory mask-wearing in busses and trains.
Following the easing by the federal administration of the restrictions put in place during the pandemic, Covid passes will no longer be required at the event. Nevertheless, the organisers recommend participants wear a face mask in all indoor areas and crowded outdoor places, notably at the pick-up points of the starting bids as well as the starting and finishing areas of the four races. The organisers advise participants to place a new face mask in the bag with their personal belongings to have it at hand in the finishing area and, more importantly, ride a bus or a train. Mask-wearing remains mandatory on all means of public transportation.
The Engadin Marathon Week 2022 in brief
The new and ample marathon village along Pontresina's Via Maistra is open from Thursday 10 March to Sunday 12 March. Sponsors and partners of the Engadin Skimarathon have on offer an array of services – from product presentations and trials to workshops, tastings, and a selection of food and beverage – inviting guests to linger and stroll. With abundant direct train and bus connections, arriving by public transportation is recommended as always. The marathon village, adjacent to the Rondo conference centre, is a 10-minute walk from the train station. Buses stop right at the marathon village. Parking is signposted.
Full details of the happenings at the marathon village can be found at www.engadin-skimarathon.ch
21st Engadin Women's Race Samedan – S-chanf (17km) Sunday, 6 March 2022
36th Youth Sprint Samedan, golf course Wednesday, 9 March 2022
4th Engadin Night Race Sils – Pontresina (17km) Thursday, 10 March 2022
52nd Engadin Skimarathon Maloja – S-chanf (42km) Sunday, 13 March 2022
13th Engadin Half-Marathon Maloja – Pontresina (21km) Sunday, 13 March 2022
Further information can be found on the event's website:
www.engadin-skimarathon.ch
For further information, contact
Engadin Skimarathon
Menduri Kasper / Aline Hautle
+41 81 851 60 60
presse@engadin-skimarathon.ch
www.engadin-skimarathon.ch
The logo and free press images of the Engadin Skimarathon (for editorial use only) are available to download at:
www.swiss-image.ch
User name: skimarathon
Password: engadin
We kindly request to mention the copyrights indicated.
Since 2014, Christian Gartmann is mandated to manage media and communications at the Engadin Skimarathon.