Switzerland | Matterhorn-lauf Mountain Race |
by Dave Dunham
U.S. Mountain running team to race in the Matterhorn-lauf mountain race. New Englanders Eric Morse (Montpellier VT), Dan Verrington (Bradford MA), Mike Casner (Keene NH), and Albuquerqueian Richard Shelley will compete in the challenging Matterhorn race this weekend. The race from downtown Zermatt to the hotel Schwarzsee climbs 1001m (3300') over 12k (7.4 miles). Zermatt is a scenic resort town tucked away in a valley at the base of the famous Matterhorn. Zermatt is a stones throw from Italy, and also 50 miles from the French border. The race is run over dirt trails (wanderweg) of which over 600 miles ring Zermatt. The trails feature good footing and usually have benches every 400m for taking in the breath-taking views. Also popular are the numerous trail side restaurants which seem to spring up about every 5k.
Zermatt hosted the 1991 Mountain Running World championships. The course in 1991 went up the opposite side of the valley. The International Matterhorn-lauf has been run since 1982. The course has remained basically the same since its first running. It has been one of the more popular of the many mountain races available in Switzerland. The U.S. team is using this race as the final tune-up before the World Championships next weekend. The race awards prize money for the top 5 finishers, and hotel coupons for top 10 finishers. There is also a team competition which the U.S. goes in as the favorite to win.
And now, a historical note from the Web Guy: In 1861, a 21-year-old Englishman and amateur artist named Edward Whymper visited Zermatt. While sketching the Matterhorn, Whymper became interested in climbing. One thing led to another, and Whymper made several attempts on the Matterhorn over the next few years. In 1865, with a large Italian party scheduled to assault the peak from the southwest ridge, Whymper hastily put together a group of climbers and headed for the mountain's Swiss side. The young Englishman and his climbing friends reached the summit at 1:40 p.m. on July 14, 1865. (Ok you historians...what was happening in America in 1865?) All went well until, during the descent, one of Whymper's companions slipped and a rope broke, sending four climbers to their deaths.
