Here it is, the icing on the cake that is our #JouwTrailNaarMontafon campaign. The grand finale of the campaign: the Montafon Arlberg Marathon. For 42 kilometers we were able to follow our prize winner Renée Cardinaals over the course of the Marathon.
For the first part it was a difficult race for Renée. She had participated in a trail run competition in the Dolomites the weekend before and the first part of the route of the marathon ran along the roads and gravel paths; surfaces where Renee did not feel at home as a technical runner.
“I really like single track, challenging and technical running, I’m not necessarily a fast runner, but on steeper stections, with rocks or tree roots, where you have to look where you place your feet, and every step is an actual risk, that’s where I am strong and what I like to do. “
Past the Langsee towards the Winterjöchle
The singletrack on the way to and past the Langsee towards the Winterjöchle, the highlights of the Marathon (literally and figuratively) brought exactly that. And after the struggle on the lower sections of the mountain, this is where we saw Renee blossoming and passing us by. She placed her feet lightly but securely and she danced and climbed the trail without hesitation. Very cool to see.
From that moment on she had found her speed. On arrival in St. Anton, where she took the 3rd place in the overall ladies ranking, and a 1st place among the ladies under 35 years, feelings of happiness and joy prevailed. And not only about the Marathon itself, but also about the entire journey that she had made.
“From the moment my local round was selected as one of the three winning trails, the meeting with Susan [red: Susan van Duijll, member of trail running team of Salomon], but also with the other contenders André and Danielle which I met at the King of Spain Trail, up to here; the people here are also so hospitable and friendly. This whole journey in which I met so many new people, and got a new perspective on my career. It has brought me so much. I’ve been spoiled, with the trail run kit from Salomon, and here, now stay in a wonderful hotel, good company, having fun. It’s all very cool, and nature, yes, goodness. “
Upstream along the Litz
A large part of the route runs along the Litz river. Upstream we run past swirling masses of water. Large and small waterfalls descend from the mountains walls along the route.
“I really like waterfalls, and especially when you’re running in that warm weather, I always feel like jumping in or standing underneath.” The Langsee – the trail runs along it’s banks – with in the background the insane peaks looks so cool on this day. The peaks that are the background for this amazing run are a source of strength for Renée. “When the going gets tough, you have to shift your thoughts about how heavy your legs feel, and how far you still have to go, and then that nature will help you, I draw strength from that natural beauty and it helps me continue on.”
All in all, the entire trail to Montafon has now been run by Renée, from her favorite recovery round to a full Marathon in the Alps. We are proud to have been able to complete this journey with her.
