How to train for Maratona dles Dolomites
The Maratona dles Dolomites starts in La Villa and finishes in Corvara, in the Alta Badia valley. Its routes cross the Dolomite passes around the Sella massif, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
When: Usually held on the first Sunday of July.
Entries: Places are allocated by lottery: online pre-registration usually runs in autumn and the draw follows a few weeks later.
What Maratona dles Dolomites demands
Passes follow one another with little flat road in between, and the long route adds Passo Giau to the Sella passes, so pacing the early climbs decides how much is left later.
The course
- Starts in La Villa and finishes in Corvara, both in Alta Badia.
- The long route crosses Passo Campolongo, Passo Pordoi, Passo Sella, Passo Gardena and Passo Giau, among other passes.
- Riders choose between three timed distances, 138 km, 106 km and 55 km, from the same start.
- The Dolomites on the route are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is an institutional partner of the event.
- The field is capped and places go by lottery because demand exceeds the number of places.
From the organizer's published course information and recent editions. Details can change between editions, so check the official site before you enter.
Your preparation roadmap
20 weeks recommendedWinter on the trainer
Rehearse long mountain passes with extended threshold intervals and low-cadence sweet spot work.
3x12 to 15 min at 91 to 97% FTP with 3 min recovery, building toward one 20 min effort at 95% FTP at a cadence around 70 rpm.
4x12 min at 88 to 92% FTP (sweet spot) at a low cadence of about 60 rpm.
4 hours outdoors with at least 2,500 m of climbing.
5x1 min at about 130% FTP with full recovery, for the steepest ramps.
Routes (approximate, recent editions)
- Maratona — about 138 km and 4,230 m of climbing
- Medio — about 106 km and 3,130 m of climbing
- Sellaronda — about 55 km and 1,780 m of climbing
Key climbs & sectors
- Passo Giau — 10.9 km at 8.9%
- Passo Pordoi
- Passo Sella
- Passo Gardena
- Passo Campolongo
Could you handle Passo Giau?
The signature climb of Maratona dles Dolomites. Enter your power and weight — a physics engine estimates your time on the gradient profile.
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Frequently asked questions
How hard is Maratona dles Dolomites?
Passes follow one another with little flat road in between, and the long route adds Passo Giau to the Sella passes, so pacing the early climbs decides how much is left later. Listed routes: about 55–138 km, with about 1,780–4,230 m of climbing.
How many weeks do I need to train for Maratona dles Dolomites?
This roadmap uses 20 weeks: Base training plan (6 weeks), FTP training plan (6 weeks), Climbing training plan (6 weeks), then a 2-week taper in July. The emphasis follows the course: sustained climbing power, pacing at altitude.
Can I prepare for Maratona dles Dolomites indoors on a trainer?
Rehearse long mountain passes with extended threshold intervals and low-cadence sweet spot work. On the trainer: Passo Giau threshold simulation, Multi-pass cadence ladder, Steep ramp repeats. Outdoors, on roads similar to the course: Back-to-back climbing ride.
What are the key climbs and sectors of Maratona dles Dolomites?
Key climbs and sectors on recent courses: Passo Giau, Passo Pordoi, Passo Sella, Passo Gardena, Passo Campolongo. Check the official site for the current course.
When do entries open for Maratona dles Dolomites?
Places are allocated by lottery: online pre-registration usually runs in autumn and the draw follows a few weeks later. Usually held on the first Sunday of July. Entry details are on the official site: https://www.maratona.it.
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TrainCraft is not affiliated with Maratona dles Dolomites. Route figures and elevations are approximate and based on recent editions. Always verify current routes, dates and entry regulations on the official Maratona dles Dolomites website.