No predictions before the race
The day before the race, not one of the three favorite international top runners could be talked into making predictions regarding the ULTRATRAIL course. Experts of the trail running scene had both Spaniards of TEAM SALOMON SPAIN, Miguel Heras and Iker Karrera Aranburu, as well as South Africa’s Ryan Sandes on the top of their lists. However, the German participants Christian Stork, Matthias Dippacher, Dr. Thomas Miksch and Uli Calmbach were also deemed likely to make a podium finish. In the women category, Julia Böttger of SALOMON TEAM DEUTSCHLAND started the long course as the favorite. On the SUPERTRAIL distance, all eyes were on the just 19-year-old Philipp Reiter: "I have never run that distance. I’m quite curious how that will go,” said the young German trail running hopeful.
The youngest participant wins the SALOMON ZUGSPITZ SUPERTRAIL
Nobody could snatch that victory from the youngest participant of the SALOMON ZUGSPITZ SUPERTRAIL, the race of 68.8 kilometers and 3120 meters of altitude difference. Philipp Reiter of TEAM SALOMON DEUTSCHLAND took 7:04 hours and was overjoyed in the finish. For a long stretch he lead the race together with Anton "Dodo" Philipp, but started to get away from him at a decisive point to run the last 10 km toward his victory just by himself. Anton Philipp of Berglaufteam Haglöfs followed him as the second finisher after 7:20 hours, and the third runner to reach his goal at the Musikpavillon Grainau was Florian Stelzle of Team Gamsbock from Landshut. The Pole Kasia Zajac, who is studying in Bayreuth, secured her victory in the female competition after 9:05 hours. Which means twice the joy for the Philipp family, since Simone Philipp of MOUNTAIN HEROES SALOMON reached the finish line as the second fastest woman after 9:22 hours. Just 3 min. later Garmisch-Partenkirchen’s Ellen Clemens of TEAM SALOMON BERGLAUFTEAM followed after 9:25 hours. There was one thing all winners agreed on: “A beautiful course, a successful premiere, it was a lot of fun to run here,” says Philipp Reiter in the finish.
Exciting race at the top of the SALOMON ZUGSPITZ ULTRATRAIL
As expected, both Spaniards Miguel Heras and Iker Karrera Aranburu dominated the race on the long course right from the get-go. From the beginning, Mathias Dippacher ran as the third behind both Spaniards, a place he was to keep until the end of the race. The South African Ryan Sandes remained on six and only drew closer to Dippacher in the second half, who was then again able to distance himself from Sandes on the last few kilometers. In the end he had a four-minute lead on the "Sandmann." Miguel Heras of TEAM SALOMON SPAIN was only able to leave behind his compatriot on the last few kilometers and after 10:55 hours grabbed the title of the first SALOMON ZUGSPITZ ULTRATRAIL. Iker Karrera Aranburu, also of TEAM SALOMON SPAIN, finished as runner-up after 11:09h. Matthias Dippacher took 11:14h for the 101,0 km and 5672 meters of altitude difference.
Unchallenged victory for Julia Böttger at the SALOMON ZUGSPITZ ULTRATRAIL
Julia Böttger of TEAM SALOMON DEUTSCHLAND more than fulfilled her role as favorite. From the start, "Trailschnittchen" Julia Böttger ran a solitary race at the top and reached the finish at the Musikpavillon Grainau after 14:15 hours. The Hungarian Ildiko Wermerscher running for the FT JAHN LANDSBERG AM LECH claimed second place. With a time of 15:07h, she was the second woman to arrive at the finish. Andrea Calmbach from Donzdorf followed on third after 16:00 hours. “It was a beautiful but also very challenging run,” concluded the winner of the SALOMON ZUGSPITZ ULTRATRAIL course briefly. |
The world-famous and scenically beautiful Zugspitze Mountain Chain forms the backdrop to a unique mountain run. The Zugspitze has always been a particularly special challenge for mountain sports fans. With 2962 meters one of Germany’s highest mountains, mountaineers can experience a breathtaking panorama above the clouds. On fantastic trails, nature-loving runners, mountain runners, marathon athletes, Nordic Walkers, triathletes, and trail runners can tackle the challenge the Zugspitze poses. Finding out where your limits are, reaching goals, experiencing nature – that’s the particular charm of the SALOMON ZUGSPITZ ULTRATRAIL taking place from June 22 - 24, 2012, in the Zugspitz village of Grainau. 
Taking place within the context of the SALOMON ZUGSPITZ ULTRATRAIL, the PETZL NIGHT ON TRAIL is a race in which amateurs, participants of the ultra and super trails, hobby runners and children can run through the nocturnal city of Grainau wearing a headlamp.
