The Val di Zoldo takes no prisoners, and this year the weather seems set to push the 'Extreme' moniker into uncharted territory for the over one thousand brave souls gathering in Forno di Zoldo. Last-minute reports confirm an unstable front that will leave residual snow at passes above 2,400 meters, turning the technical single tracks beneath Monte Civetta and Pelmo into a true leg-breaker of mud and slick rock. This is no ordinary edition; the DXT 103K, with its brutal 7,150 meters of vertical gain, stands as a fatigue trap where managing mandatory gear will be more decisive than minutes per mile.
The Euphoria Factor and Technical Terrain
The big question mark this week surrounds the DXT 72K Euforia. Unlike its sister race of similar distance, the standard DXT 72K which starts on Saturday, the Euforia version kicks off at midnight on Friday. This forces runners to negotiate highly technical ridge sections in darkness that, according to forecasts, will be shrouded in thick fog. Local veterans know that in the Belluno Dolomites, the clock is relative; the single tracks surrounding the Tamer-San Sebastiano massif demand absolute proprioception to avoid ankle injuries before even reaching the halfway point.
Short Distance Duels and Explosivity
While the ultra-runners endure the grind, Sunday’s focus will shift to the DXT 22K and DXT 11K. In these distances, the Italian regional elite has confirmed a field looking to shatter ascent records to the Casera de la Grava bivouac. An electric start is expected where lactic acid will burn from the first mile, contrasting with the survival strategy we will see in the DXT 55K, where the passage through Passo Staulanza usually seals the fate of those who pushed too hard too early.
The organization has reinforced aid stations and checkpoints in high-altitude zones due to potential wind gusts that could compromise safety on exposed sections. The key will be the ability to adapt to terrain that shifts with every rain shower, turning what should be fast descents into cautious downhills where poles will be non-negotiable to stay upright.