WHAT IS TRAIL RUNNING?
First and foremost, what is trail running technically?It involves running in natural environments such as deserts, fields, forests, mountains, or beaches, with a minimal amount of asphalt (no more than 20% of the trail).
When people talk about trail running, they usually think of mountains, with their trails and ups and downs. In trail running, runners try to run on the most challenging terrains, ranging from rocky and technical to softer surfaces with mud or snow.
ULTRA TRAIL, RESERVED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE LONG DISTANCES
The rule is simple: if a trail race is longer than a marathon (42.195 kilometers), it becomes an "ultra" race. The International Trail Running Association (ITRA) has attempted to classify these races based on distance:- Between 42 and 69 kilometers: trail ultra medium
- Between 70 and 99 kilometers: trail ultra long
- Over 100 kilometers: trail ultra xlong
When choosing the right shoe based on distance rather than terrain, SCARPA has created models for top runners seeking trail running shoes for long distances. These models provide maximum cushioning, protection, and support, even on wet and off-road terrains. For ultra trails, the recommended shoe is the SPIN PLANET, which combines extreme cushioning with a new sustainable concept in Trail Running footwear thanks to its recycled components.
Another iconic model for long distances is the SPIN INFINITY, which offers stability, cushioning, and control, making it perfect for training and Ultra Trail races.
VERTICAL, THE POWER OF ADRENALINE ON UPHILL
After overcoming the challenge of the first race, trail runners will want to experience something new. Those who enjoy fast and intense challenges will be drawn to vertical races, which essentially involve pure uphill routes. Starting from the bottom and reaching the top (then returning calmly or even by other means).The most famous races are the "vertical kilometers", where participants must complete a vertical kilometer with lethal slopes. The difficulty level can increase with double or triple vertical kilometers, all complicated by the technicality of high mountain terrain. The Fletta Trail in Malonno, which takes place in mid-July, could be an interesting event to experience, as well as the Chiavenna-Lagunc Vertical Kilometer on October 8th, which will also host the finals of the Mountain Running World Cup.
In this discipline, shoe cushioning is almost irrelevant; what matters is having grip and responsiveness to jump high rather than far. SCARPA has designed the perfect shoe for this, the SPIN 2.0, a lightweight and deconstructed model focused on performance on both easy and technical trails.
SKY RUNNING, SUPERHEROES RUNNING ALONG THE SKYLINE
Lastly, the most spectacular races, at least from a technical standpoint, that a runner can aspire to are skyrunning races, challenges that take place in alpine environments, often at altitudes of up to four thousand meters. These races are extremely technical and involve both uphill and downhill. They are so unique that they have given rise to a separate federation to manage them, the Fisky.Generally, the race starts from a valley, reaches the summit of a mountain, and returns to the base, often passing through other slopes. The use of upper limbs is the norm, considering that slopes can reach 30%, and runners reach the ridges just centimeters away from sheer drops. The difficulty of these races varies not based on the height of the mountain but on the exposure and technicality of the trails. These challenges should only be undertaken when one is truly prepared.
Sky-marathons represent the most extreme level, titanic feats at high altitudes, with distances even reaching the marathon's 42 kilometers.
The LimoneXtreme, held near Lake Garda at the end of October, stands out as one of the most interesting races and will serve as the final of the Sky-Running World Series.
Needless to say, wearing the right footwear in cases like these is not a luxury; sometimes, it is a matter of survival. The recommended model is the RIBELLE RUN, an iconic trail running shoe designed for this type of competition. It offers precision and adaptability for maximum safety in both uphill and downhill. Alternatively, the GOLDEN GATE KIMA is a technical shoe designed to reduce fatigue, thanks to its carbon plate that increases the elastic response of the arch of the foot, reducing the physical effort of running without compromising precision on uneven terrains.