Trentino-Alto Adige
23.01.2026 – 25.01.2026
Source: https://marcialonga.it/marcialonga_ski/index_en.php
The Marcialonga (Italian for “The Long March”) is Italy’s most famous cross-country ski marathon. Held on the last Sunday of January in the Trentino region, it covers a legendary 70km course through the Val di Fassa and Val di Fiemme.
Here is the history of this iconic race.
1. The Inspiration (1969–1970)
The idea for the Marcialonga was born in 1969 when two Italian skiers, Giulio Giovannini and Roberto Moggio, became the first Italians to complete the famous Swedish Vasaloppet.
Enthralled by the scale and community spirit of the Swedish race, they returned home with a dream: to create an Italian equivalent. Joined by friends Nele Zorzi and Mario Cristofolini, the “four founders” chose the Dolomites as their venue—specifically the valleys of Fiemme and Fassa, which are considered the cradle of Italian cross-country skiing.
2. The First “Long March” (1971)
On February 7, 1971, the inaugural race took place. The organizers were unsure if the public would embrace such a grueling challenge and expected roughly 100 participants. To their shock, 1,157 skiers showed up.
- The First Winner: Ulrico Kostner took the gold, beating the heavy favorite, Franco Nones (who had won Olympic gold in 1968 and was a major inspiration for the race’s creation).
- A “Men Only” Start: For the first six years, the race was officially open only to men. However, women famously rebelled, some even wearing fake moustaches and using male pseudonyms to compete. In 1978, the race was officially opened to women.
3. Evolution of Technique
The Marcialonga has been at the center of the evolution of cross-country skiing:
- Classic to Freestyle (1985): As the “skating” technique gained popularity, the race switched to freestyle in 1985.
- Return to Classic (2003): To accommodate the massive number of participants (over 5,000) and preserve the “traditional” spirit, the race returned to the Classic Technique in 2003.
- The Double-Poling Revolution: Because much of the course is relatively flat or downhill, Marcialonga became the birthplace of modern double-poling. In 2003, Jørgen Aukland became the first to win without using kick wax, relying entirely on upper-body strength.
4. Overcoming Nature: The “White Ribbon”
The race has faced major challenges due to a lack of snow in the valley floors. It was cancelled entirely in 1975, 1989, and 1990.
To prevent future cancellations, the organizers developed one of the world’s most sophisticated artificial snow systems. Today, even in snowless winters, they can produce a “white ribbon” of snow across the 70km track, cutting through green fields and stone villages—a surreal and famous image of the modern race.
The Modern Race: Fast Facts
| Feature | Description |
| Distance | 70 km (Classic) |
| The Course | Starts in Moena, climbs to Canazei, then descends back through the valleys to finish in Cavalese. |
| The “Cascata” | The brutal final 2.5 km climb at a 12% gradient where most races are won or lost. |
| The “Bisons” | The affectionate nickname for the thousands of amateur skiers who follow the elite pros. |
| The “Senators” | A prestigious title given to the few skiers who have participated in every single edition since 1971. |
Sunday, January 25, 2026—race day for the 53rd edition of the Marcialonga! The elite races have just concluded in the Val di Fiemme.
Here are the results from today’s race and the details for joining the “Long March” in the future.
1. Marcialonga 2026: Fresh Results (Today!)
The 53rd edition was particularly special as it serves as a “warm-up” for the region before the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, which begin in just a few weeks.
Men’s Top 3 (Pro Tour)
- Kasper Stadaas (NOR): 3:30:03.6
- Amund Riege (NOR): +0.5s
- Alvar Myhlback (SWE): +0.6sA thrilling photo finish saw Stadaas take the victory in a tight sprint.
Women’s Top 3 (Pro Tour)
- Emilie Fleten (NOR): 3:41:35.6
- Silje Øyre Slind (NOR): +19.6s
- Jenny Larsson (SWE): +34.7sEmilie Fleten continues her dominance, winning back-to-back Marcialongas after her 2025 victory.
2. How to Register for 2027
The Marcialonga is famous for selling out its 7,000+ bibs in a matter of minutes. If you want to ski in the 54th edition (January 2027), you need a strategy.
| Registration Phase | Typical Date | Who Can Enter |
| Worldloppet Masters | May (End of Month) | Skiers with a Worldloppet Passport or Master status. |
| General Entry | Early June | The general public. This usually sells out in <10 minutes. |
| Charity Bibs | Late Autumn | A small number of bibs sold at a premium for charity. |
| Travel Agencies | Year-round | “All-inclusive” packages that include a guaranteed bib. |
Pro-Tips for Registration:
- The Worldloppet Advantage: If you have a Worldloppet Passport, you can often access a pre-registration window in late May, bypass the June “scramble,” and secure your spot early.
- The “Click Day”: Mark your calendar for the first week of June 2026. You will need to be on the official Marcialonga website the second the portal opens.
- Medical Certificate: Remember that to race in Italy, you will eventually need to provide a medical certificate of fitness for competitive sports.
3. Which Race Should You Pick?
- Marcialonga (70km): The full classic from Moena to Cavalese, including the legendary Cascata climb at the end.
- Marcialonga Light (45km): A shorter version that finishes in Predazzo. It’s a great “entry-level” way to experience the atmosphere without the final brutal climb.
While the cross-country ski race is the most famous, Marcialonga has expanded into a year-round brand known as the “Marcialonga Trilogy.” This series allows athletes to experience the Val di Fiemme and Val di Fassa in three different disciplines: skiing in winter, cycling in spring, and running in late summer.
1. Marcialonga Skiing (Winter)
The “Queen” of the events, held on the last Sunday of January.
- The Race: A 70km classic technique ski marathon from Moena to Cavalese.
- Technique: Exclusively Classic.
- Key Challenge: The “Cascata” climb, a brutal 2.5km uphill finish that determines the winner.
- Events for all: Includes the Marcialonga Light (45km), Marcialonga Story (vintage equipment), and Minimarcialonga for kids.
2. Marcialonga Cycling Craft (Spring)
A spectacular road cycling “Granfondo” held in late May (Scheduled for May 31, 2026).
- The Routes: * Mediofondo: 80km with 2,488m of elevation gain.
- Granfondo: 135km with a massive 3,900m of elevation gain.
- The Climbs: It features legendary Dolomite passes like Passo Costalunga, Passo Pampeago, and Passo San Pellegrino.
- Experience: The race starts and finishes in Predazzo, offering a challenging ride through some of the most famous cycling roads in Italy.
3. Marcialonga Running Coop (Summer)
An scenic running race held in early September (Scheduled for September 5, 2026).
- The Route: Generally follows the same path as the ski race, running from Moena to Cavalese.
- The Distance: 26.5km. There is also a Half Marathon (21km) option.
- Relay Option: You can compete as a 3-person relay team, where each member runs a segment of the course.
- Terrain: A mix of asphalt and gravel paths along the Avisio river, finishing with a climb into the heart of Cavalese.
The “Combined” Rankings
For the truly dedicated, Marcialonga offers a Combined Ranking (Combinata). This is a special classification for athletes who complete all three main events (70km Ski, 135km Cycle, and 26km Run) in a single calendar year.
Fun Fact: Participants who finish all three are often celebrated as the “all-around” heroes of the Fiemme and Fassa valleys.
Here is the summary of the dates for the Marcialonga Trilogy in 2026:
1. Marcialonga Skimarathon
- Main Event (70km & 45km): Sunday, January 25, 2026
- Marcialonga Story (Vintage): Friday, January 23, 2026
- Marcialonga Young & Stars: Saturday, January 24, 2026
- Location: Start in Moena, Finish in Cavalese (Skiing).
2. Marcialonga Cycling Craft
- Date: Sunday, May 31, 2026
- Routes: Granfondo (135km) and Mediofondo (80km)
- Location: Start and Finish in Predazzo.
- Note: Registration for this event opened on November 1, 2025.
3. Marcialonga Running Coop
- Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026
- Distance: 26.5km (Classic) or 21km (Half Marathon)
- Location: Start in Moena, Finish in Cavalese.
The “Trittico” (Combined Ranking)
If you participate in all three of these specific dates, you will be entered into the Combinata (Combined Ranking).
- Total Distance: ~231.5 km
- Total Disciplines: Classic Skiing, Road Cycling, and Road/Trail Running.
