Possibly the most scenic half marathon in the world is coming up soon.

http://www.aletsch-halbmarathon.ch/

I thoroughly enjoyed it last year and so thought I'd flag it here as it's a very 'doable for mear mortals' race suitable for newbies to trail running, unlike some of the swiss trail races.

Looks interesting - BUT I have the Graubunden 31km the day before.

Use the Altesch halb as a recovery run .

Thank you this looks interesting

there are 4 of us from this end of the country, signed up to do it this year, so you won't be the only non swissies.

What is your target time? As I said, there is no way I will be able to do it this year - but it is an option for next year depending on schedule.

You're absolutely nuts! I did a 20km run from Sihlbrugg to Ütliberg last weekend, up and down the hills there with about 900 meters of elevation gain, and I can say I'm nowhere near the necessary condition to be able to run this half marathon competitively. I actually wimped out and had to stop for breath twice in the last 30 meter ascent up the stairs.

I've got nothing but respect for the people who do this one, especially given that you're starting at a relatively high altitude. You're all looney, mind you, but amazing nonetheless.

last year I did it in a bit under 3hrs and was somewhere in the middle of the pack. The last 2kms are the really steep bits and generally take 20-25mins in themselves. I can do a flat half in 1:47 so would expect something closer to 2:45 but we'll see.
The start is staggered according to your expected finish time as there is some single track running which can be a bit conjested.
A few carry a camera and keep it very non serious and many from this neck of the woods are using it in the run up to the sierre-zinal race which is "the must do" mountain race for this side of the country.

The only person I am competitive against when running is myself. The run you describe is one that I have been meaning to do for a while - but never got round to.

Next week (Mon-Tues) I will do my last training run - Adliswil to Bellevue - via Uetliberg and Triemli.

On Sunday we ran from Amden (SG) - to Hintermatt and back - which was suitably pleasant.

My best flat is a 1:37 - my last 1/2 was a 1:43 - and the Arosa snow run was 2:35!! The Arosa also featured a 400m in 2km hike - not run!!

Uphill runs are a killer - especially when there isn't a let up on the incline.

That will be me

So, how was it Kate ?

The weather was ideal for such a race.

Did anyone else do it, any reports ?

I did the Graubunden 31km the day before - and the weather was far from ideal - it was too bloody hot!! I was fine up the hill - and then to 23km - but after then I was getting regular cramps in my calves - curtailing my time 3;47 - 61 out of 87

Always next year

And the Gstaad 3000 in August - if anyone else is up for a challenge!!

I'm sure Kate will come back with a race report soon, but here are a few photos. The weather was ideal, and the course was quite achievable for us mere mortals. Well worth putting in the diary for next near.

Indeed, if a tad hot, though less hot than last year and they gave out sponges at the start. Each of the refreshment stops had a trough to cool yourself. My hubby put a wet sponge under his cap which seemed to help.
Saw quite a few with cramp, maybe worth trying taking magnesium if you think you might be one of those more likely to suffer from cramp and for gods sake don't ignore the warning signs of muscle twinging that sometimes occur before full on cramp.

Of the four of us who did it i think we'd all recommend over estimating your finish time to get in the best start block and so reduce the chances of getting stuck behind slower runners on the single track sections, which can be frustrating as over taking isn't easy.
A simple formular would be to add 30 mins to your normal half marathon time. A expected 3hr finish time puts you in the last/slowest block (5th), 2:45 in the 4th and 2.30 in the 3rd. In reality it took us all an hour longer than a flat course.
If you want to be particularly competitive then starting near the front of your block and running the course before hand are good ideas. There are all sorts of tactics that could be deployed to this course.

and lastly we stayed on and enjoyed the area (running and climbing) for the following week which was a splendid idea and highly recommended.
other fantastic running routes are;
Belap - Blatten vie Riederalp furka and the new-ish 124m suspension bridge.
and Ried morel - fiescheralp via the panoramweg.

both are quite long but stunning and in a non race day you can just take your time, plus it was so nice to be high above the valley heat too.

happy summer running