Italian Dolomites Trail Running Retreat 2022

We ask that you book your flight to arrive before noon, otherwise arrive the day before. We will rendez-vous at the Venice Marco Polo Airport at 12:30 p.m., then meet our driver for the 4-hour drive to San Vigilio di Marebbe. Upon arrival, we will check into our rooms and have some time to freshen up before we convene for the Official Retreat Opening Meet and Greet followed by dinner. 
Overnight in San Vigilio di Marebbe.

Run time: no run today

Flying to Venice Marco Polo Airport

There are two airports in Venice, Italy, so make sure to book your flight to the Venice Marco Polo Airport (airport code VCE) as that is where we will meet on Day 1. You may want to schedule your flight to arrive a day early, in order to have an extra night to rest. Otherwise, if you plan to arrive on Day 1 of the retreat, be sure to book a flight arriving before 11:30 a.m.

Transportation from Venice to Val Badia

We will meet at the Lost and Found/ Hospitality Desk in the Arrivals area on the ground floor by 12:00 p.m. (exit the doors beyond the baggage claim area). Elinor will be holding a Run Wild Retreats logo sign that look like this: Once everyone has gathered by will proceed outside where our driver will meet us, help load our luggage and drive us approximately 4 hours to our hotel in San Vigilio di Marebbe (we will stop for a bathroom break about halfway). Bring a water bottle and snacks for the long drive. We will not run today, but being well hydrated and fueled will help you feel good for tomorrow’s run.

Last Day Return Travel from Venice

On Day 7, our retreat program ends at 11:00 a.m. at which time we depart for the airport. We will drop you off at the Venice Marco Polo around 3:30 or 4:30 p.m.. This drop-off time cannot be entirely guaranteed, so allow enough time before your return flight for any delays. As with any international flight, allow 3 hours or more for check in. If you are not flying home the following day, you can take any of the many ground transportation options available from the airport to a nearby hotel or downtown Venice. (click here to learn more).

After breakfast at the hotel, we will meet for our first group trail run on a mix of trail types around San Vigilio, from forested paths to rolling singletrack. We’ll have our first Natural Running Form Clinic that will cover key postural tips that you can practice throughout the week. We’ll finish back in the village in time for a casual pizza lunch and in the heart San Vigilio, followed by free time to enjoy the spa, following by our first Wellness Workshop before dinner at the hotel. Overnight in San Vigilio di Marebbe.
Run time: 2 – 2.5 hours on rolling valley trails that avoid any major ascending or descending. The trail surface is mostly crushed gravel and worn dirt trails, at time rooty. No exposure to high terrain today.

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll check out of our rooms and set aside the luggage for transfer to our next hotel. At 9:30 a.m., we’ll take a 20-minute bus ride to Pederü, where we’ll have our first trail running technique clinic, then begin an adventurous point-to-point high alpine run along the Alta Via 1 trail through the Fanes Plateau. Most of our uphill gain is in the first 1.5 to 2 hours of today’s run, so we’ll hike sections of it until we reach the plateau’s gently rolling terrain. After descending a series of switchbacks, we’ll hop on the bus for a 35-minute ride to our hotel in Corvara. We’ll arrive at mid-afternoon, at which time you are free to explore the village before dinner. Overnight in Corvara.

Run time: 3 to 4 hours on mountain trails (i.e., sometimes rocky) with exposure to heights, long uphills and long downhills. 

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After breakfast at the hotel, we will meet for a workshop on mindful breathing and how it helps us lower stress and run more efficiently. After the workshop, we take the Col Alt Gondola up to the starting point for today’s point-to-point “recovery” run of around 2 to 3 hours (including breaks). Today’s run is at a lower elevation on relatively smooth footpaths, so we can gaze out at the mountains without having to watch the footing so closely. We’ll enjoy a rolling route that takes us to Utia Pralongia before the long descent to Corvara, finishing at our hotel. After lunch at a pizzaria in the village, enjoy some free time to explore the town or enjoy a spa treatment. We’ll reconvene for our second Wellness Workshop, followed by dinner. Overnight in Corvara.

Run time: 2 to 3 hours (including breaks) on wide dirt paths and some steep, rooty singletrack trails  

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After breakfast, pack your luggage and set it aside for transfer to Selva. Then we’ll either take the bus (or gondola) up to Passo Gardena, where we’ll begin today’s premier trail run and hike along an out-and-back section of the Alta Via 2 trail. This high-alpine singletrack trail takes us through a barren rocky landscape surrounded by limestone peaks. From the run's end, we take the gondola down to Selva, and then walk or jog to our hotel.  After checking into our rooms, enjoy some free time to explore the village, enjoy the spa and relax before dinner. Overnight in Selva.

Run time : 3 -3.5 hours on a mix of dirt and gravel trails, at time on very steep, exposed alpine terrain. You must be comfortable in this environment to complete this run. 
Alternate run: Take the gondola down to Selva and do an easier out-and-back run along the flat, gravel path trails of the Vallunga Langetal with relatively little elevation change. 

After breakfast, we’ll board the bus and have a 10-minute bus ride to St. Christina where we take the gondola to Col Raiser. Here we enjoy a beautiful loop through the beautiful green pastures of Parco Nautral Puez Odle. At the 5-mile point, you can choose to take the gondola back down and hop on the bus to the hotel, or run down the mountain for 3 miles (this is a lot of downhill and only recommended if you feel good and have no knee pain), finishing at our hotel. We’ll enjoy a pizza lunch followed by some free time to relax, enjoy the spa or shop before dinner. Overnight in Selva.

Run time: 2 – 3.5 hours (including breaks) on well-worn dirt paths, at times rocky, but always rolling uphill/downhill.

This morning we have an optional recovery run of about 3 or 4 miles along the valley floor (no big climbs today!), followed by breakfast from 8 to 9 a.m.. After breakfast, we’ll have our official Retreat Closing Meeting. After checking out of your hotel room and loading your luggage into the van, at 11 a.m. we board the van for our private transfer to the airport, arriving at the Venice Marco Polo Airport around 4:00 p.m. (this arrival time is not guaranteed and is dependent on traffic volumes. Please plan your travel accordingly). From the airport, check in for your flight departure, or if you booked additional hotel nights in Venice, take a shuttle, bus or taxi to your hotel.

Optional Run time: 30 minutes out-and-back on mellow dirt trails and village roads
 

ON THE TRAIL

1. One pair of trail running shoes (Required). Road running shoes or minimalist shoes are not acceptable.
2. Hydration pack with bladder for at least 1.5L of water (we recommend a vest pack rather than a waist pack) with pockets for carrying food and extra clothes and water (Required)
3. Short-sleeve running shirts
4. Warm long-sleeve shirts (such as wool or another lightly insulating but wicking material)
5. Running shorts
6. Running capris or light tights
7. Lightweight, breathable running rain jacket that is easily packable (Required).
8. Three to four pairs of running socks
9. Running cap or visor
10. Sunglasses

• Optional: collapsible, lightweight trekking poles

OFF THE TRAIL

• Day pack (~20 L)*
• Casual clothes (dining is informal)
• Shoes for casual wear
• Warm jacket for cool evenings
• Bathing suit
• Journal
• Small, lightweight camera (or phone)
• Plug adapter (if traveling outside North America) for electronic devices
• Ear plugs (for sleeping)
• Sleeping attire suitable for shared sleeping quarters if sharing a room
• Other personal items/apparel and toiletries (shampoo, soap, conditioner, lotion, sunscreen, etc).

*You’ll use this day pack for extra clothing, snacks and personal items (not for running). You’ll have access to it while traveling in the van, when large luggage is not accessible.

For ease of transport between hotels, please limit your luggage to one carry-on (backpack as described above is recommended) and one wheeled suitcase.

💡Note: Trail running shoes and a hydration pack are required items.