Tor des Géants

The Tor des Géants is one of the most demanding and revered ultra-endurance races in the world. Held each September in Italy’s Aosta Valley, this 330 km (205 mi) trail race features over 24,000 meters of elevation gain and must be completed within 150 hours. Starting and finishing in Courmayeur, it follows both the Alta Via 1 and Alta Via 2 routes, crossing 25 alpine passes above 2,000 meters and weaving through 34 municipalities and two national parks. Participants—limited to just over 1,000 due to the logistical scale—face unpredictable mountain weather, extreme fatigue, and technical terrain. Only about 60% finish. With 43 aid stations, 7 life bases, and a GPS tracking system, Tor des Géants is as much a test of strategy and survival as it is of endurance.