BUT Formazza, one month left!

Exactly one month to the 2018 edition of BUT Formazza, which this year will be held on 14 July, for the first time on a Saturday, with as many as four planned routes: Bettelmatt Trail 52 km, Bettelmatt Sky Race 35 km, Bettelmatt Race 22 km and Bettelmatt Mini Trail La Stampa of 8 km.

Already 6 nations represented

BUT Formazza confirms itself as an event with an international vocation: in fact, 6 nations are already represented: in addition to the Italian athletes, trail runners from France, England, Poland, Sweden and Switzerland will also be at the start of the various races.

BT 52km and BSR 35km are UTMB qualifying races

Entries for the Bettelmatt Trail 52 km, characterized for the first time by the passage to the Toce waterfall and a positive and negative difference in altitude of 3,296 m, will close on July 1st, so there are still a few days available to register for the event .

Bettelmatt Trail 52 km awards 4 UTMB points.

A few more days for registrations for the Bettelmatt Sky Race (1,940 m D+-), the classic race that skims, as also happens with the Bettelmatt Trail, the 3,000 m of Refuge 3A; until 30 June, registrations are fixed at a fee of € 35.00, to then move to € 40.00 until 8 July, the closing date for registrations.

Bettelmatt Sky Race awards 2 UTMB points.

There will still be time to sign up for the Bettelmatt Race instead, 22 km for 750 m of positive and negative difference in altitude which, if for panoramas has nothing to envy to its “big” sisters, still presents itself as the ideal race for those approaching the first time trail running; until 30 June the fee will be € 25.00, to then pass to € 30.00 until 13 July. It will also be possible to register on the day of the race, but at further increased prices.

The 3 main routes of BUT Formazza are also certified by ITRA (International Trail Running Association).

Val Formazza, the valley of the Walser

By virtue of its location, wedged between the high mountains on the border with Switzerland, Val Formazza has a very particular history: it was in fact the place chosen as the first settlement by the Walser people, of Valais origin (in fact, the name derives from Walliser, or from Valais).

In 1200 the Walser ventured beyond the Swiss mountains to colonize this strip of land; very attached to their culture, over time the Walser, endowed with an extraordinary ability to adapt to difficult climatic conditions linked to high altitudes, the roughness of the soil and the scarcity of raw materials available in nature, were able to maintain their traditions and habits. The Walser managed to create a model of life at high altitudes capable of withstanding the harsh winters, the threat of avalanches and the scarcity of land products. The Walser culture is still alive today and its influence can be seen in many houses and structures still existing in the valley.