Nearly 33,000 cyclists register for 2025 Maratona dles Dolomites Enel Gran Fondo
The draw takes place in the second half of November when 9,000 lucky cyclists or so will be selected
Covering seven spectacular mountain passes in the Dolomites, and open to amateur cyclists, the 38th edition of the Maratona, will host aorund 9,000 riders from over 72 nations - is one of the biggest Italian Granfondo bicycle races.
Pre-entries for the draw for next year's event on July 6th, 2025 reached 32,700 before it was closed. You can check if you are lucky enough here. Selected cyclists will be invited to register on November 22nd, 2024.
.jpg "Nearly 33,000 cyclists register for Maratona dles Dolomites Enel Gran Fondo")
The race is actually divided into three courses of varying difficulty: the Sellaronda course, the Middle course and the Maratona course. All riders start at 6:30 am in the village of La Villa and complete the four pass Sellaronda course first. After completing the Sellaronda course riders can either choose to finish the race or proceed directly onwards with the Middle course. As the Maratona course is an extension of the preceding shorter Middle course, riders wishing to tackle the full Maratona dles Dolomites - Enel have to proceed with the Middle course.
All three courses lead the riders through the Dolomite mountains around the Sella Group and over roads, where legendary rides by great champions of the Giro d'Italia have taken place. The roads are lined with tens of thousands of cheering spectators and the entire event is broadcast live on Italian national broadcaster RAI.
Along the courses seven refreshment stations are manned by volunteers, where riders can strengthen themselves with foods and drinks, varying from sports drink to Strudel or ham/cheese sandwiches.
VIDEO: Highlights - Maratona dles Dolomites - Enel 2024
Sellaronda course
The Sellaronda course starts in the village of La Villa and finishes in the village of Corvara. The course goes clockwise around the Sella mountain group. Four passes must be surmounted to finish the course. After the start the course follows the main road to the village of Corvara. The ascent to Campolongo Pass begins immediately behind the village. After crossing Campolongo Pass the course descends to the village of Arabba in the Fodom valley; from there it climbs to the Pordoi Pass and then descends into the Fassa valley. There the climb to the Sella Pass begins, from which the riders descend into Gardena valley. The last pass the Sellaronda course traverses is the Gardena Pass. From it the course begins its final descent towards the finish at Corvara.
Passes:
Campolongo Pass: 5.8 km, Gradient: 6.1%
Pordoi Pass: 9.2 km, Gradient: 6.9%
Sella Pass: 5.5 km, Gradient: 7.9%
Gardena Pass: 5.8 km, Gradient: 4.3%
Total distance: 55 km (34 mi)
Total altitude difference: 1,780 m (5,840 ft)
Middle course
The Middle course follows immediately after the Sellaronda course. Riders wishing to tackle it, do not stop after the Sellaronda's finish line, but directly proceed to ascend Campolongo Pass a second time. In Arabba the middle course deviates from the earlier course and follows the road out of the Fodom valley to the village of Cernadoi. Here the course splits: rider choosing to do the entire Maratona proceed to the village of Colle Santa Lucia, while the remaining riders begin the ascend to the Falzarego Pass. At the top of the pass riders climb further 80m to reach the Valparola Pass. From there the road descends to the village of San Cassiano and passing through La Villa reaches the finishing line in Corvara.
Passes:
Campolongo Pass: 5.8 km, Gradient: 6.1%
Pordoi Pass: 9.2 km, Gradient: 6.9%
Sella Pass: 5.5 km, Gradient: 7.9%
Gardena Pass: 5.8 km, Gradient: 4.3%
Campolongo Pass: 5.8 km, Gradient: 6.1%
Falzarego Pass/ Valparola Pass: 11,8 km, Gradient: 6.7%
Total distance: 106 km (66 mi)
Total altitude difference: 3,130 m (10,269 ft)
Maratona course
Riders who have chosen to do the Maratona course split off from the Middle course in the village of Cernadoi. The Maratona dles Dolomites - Enel proceeds from there to the village and uncategorised climb of the Colle Santa Lucia, after which the steepest of all climbs begins: the climb to Giau Pass. From Giau Pass the road goes down to Pocol, from where the course rises to the Falzarego Pass. There it reunites with the Middle course and having crossed Valparola Pass follows the same road through San Cassiano and La Villa to the finish line in Corvara.
Passes:
Campolongo Pass: 5.8 km, Gradient: 6.1%
Pordoi Pass: 9.2 km, Gradient: 6.9%
Sella Pass: 5.5 km, Gradient: 7.9%
Gardena Pass: 5.8 km, Gradient: 4.3%
Campolongo Pass: 5.8 km, Gradient: 6.1%
Giau Pass: 9.9 km, Gradient: 9.3%
Falzarego Pass/ Valparola Pass: 11.5 km, Gradient: 5.8%
Total distance: 138 km (86 mi)
Total altitude difference: 4,230 m (13,877 ft)
