Arco Mountain Running
Castle Mountain Running (2016 European Mountain Running Championships) is a unique race in the worldwide panorama of mountain running.
There are more reasons: first of all the race runs 100m on the sea level; then the race is hosted almost completely in the old town center and the athletes would run through an X century’s Castle; finally the race is characterized by breath-taking views and various landscapes.
The last five editions allowed to appreciate the impact of an innovative race that succeeded in bringing the fascination of mountain running in a city reality, so that all people could follow, admire and honour the effort of the most important Italian and International athletes who practice mountain running.
The event progress, which is conceived and organized by Gardasportevents, has passed through some fundamental landmarks: the Italian relay championship, the International relay championship , the individual Italian championship and the 9th WMRA International Youth Cup .
As we have already said the race track is unique. Arco is a city founded on tourism and wellness since the House of Hapsburg’s. The race starts in the old town center of Arco. Then it climbs the rock that protects Arco from the north and goes up to the Castle and “Torre Renghera” that overlook the Alto Garda zone. “Torre Renghera” is almost 200m over the race start on the Castle’s hill top. The race would not finish at this point. The athletes have to climb down on a hard path. Then the race would rise again up to “Monte Colodri”, passing through the olive groves and a wonderful mountain landscape. Arco merges with the surrounding mountains which embrace and protect Arco. That’s what people think climbing down “Monte Colodri” up to the finish line. In few moments the landscapes change. From the wood to the streets, from the pines to the olive groves.
In this context, 2016 the Castle Mountain Running will be the European Mountain Running Championships which will lead to Arco the strongest European athletes of mountain running, ready to face a race both spectacular and exciting
The Organizing Committee
PROJECT - ARCO MOUNTAIN RUNNING
These years it became clear, that the mountain running needed an innovative impulse moving a little away from the tradition and promote this particular sport with more attention and interest as well as increasing the number of athletes . But also using it as a smashing promotional vehicle for tourism of the territory. Moreover, thinking of really spectacular races this would be a great way to approach mountain running to the general public and consequently generate the interest of sponsors.
Bringing mountain running into town, this was our goal
We were thinking about it for years and rather than an ambitious project it was a dream. But the idea thrilled us as we were certain that we could manage it and Arco and Trentino would be forerunners, nationally and internationally , for a new way of "running the mountains”. Innovation, performance and emotions are the real adrenaline for athletes and spectators: this is our venture.
Castle Mountain Running, innovation, excitement, entertainment and...
The aspects of our bet were a few: the beautiful mediterranean context of Arco where such a spectacular and technical running trail could be drawn just as offering in an urban environment in the most impressive way this sport, which normally is linked to the traditionality , by using new technologies and television supports allowing spectators to watch the different stages of each race live. In particular and most importantly to ensure sport activities all year round and, as a result, extenting the tourism offer of Arco completing as a proposal for running and trekking was missing the offers of outdoor sports.
The city of Arco with the Mountain Running provides additional tourist proposals for the brand promotion "outdoor" in the magnificent area of Alto Garda
In these years FIDAL, WMRA and EAA have bet on us consigning us the organization of three Italian Championships, two races of the World Cup, a World Championship under 18 and now the European Mountain Running Championships launching ARCO internationally.
The appreciation of our organizational commitment and our experience allows us to look ahead with confidence.
