FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, ALPINA WATCHES IS THE OFFICIAL TIMEKEEPER AND WATCH OF THE MATTERHORN ULTRAKS. TAKING PLACE IN THE ICONIC SETTING OF THE MATTERHORN IN ZERMATT, THIS UNIQUE TRAIL RUNNING COMPETITION, WHICH IS PART OF THE SKYRUNNER® WORLD SERIES, REPRESENTS A BEACON FOR SOME OF THE GREATEST SKYRUNNING CHAMPIONS.
On the 19th and 20th of August, more than 2,500 runners will line up in the Church Square to the sound of Alphorns to face one of the four competitions the « VZS », the « 16K », the « 30K » and « 46K ». The route will take them around Zermatt in the heart of one of the world’s most fabulous mountain regions at the foot of the majestic Matterhorn, ever present throughout the race. Zermatt, at the foot of the Matterhorn is a Swiss icon in itself. Encircled by 38 towering Alpine peaks of over 4,000m, it is without doubt the ideal venue for a competition that aims to set a new standard in trail running.
The Alpina Sky Prize
As part of its engagement with the Matterhorn Ultraks, Alpina awards the ALPINA SKY PRIZE. This special prize rewards the man and the woman who cross the finish line that score the fastest time on the “Alpina Triangle” segment that goes from Sunnegga to Riffelalp via the highest point of the Race the Gornergrat (3’130 Meters). The winners of the Alpina Sky Prize will receive an Alpina “Alpiner 4 Automatic” sports watch.
The 2016 Programme
FRIDAY 19th OF AUGUST
17h 30
Start of «VZS» (Vertical Zermatt Sunnegga)
From ca. 18h 15
Arrival of the first participants of the «VZS»
SATURDAY 20th OF AUGUST
07h 30
Start of «46K»
08h 45
Start of «30K»
10h 00
Start of «16K»
From ca. 11h 15
Arrival of first « 16K » and « 30K » competitors
From ca.
12h 00 Arrival of first « 46K » competitors
15h 30
Prize Ceremony on the stage at church square
About the Matterhorn Ultraks
The Matterhorn Ultraks is born in 2013 with the objective of creating a race that is great for competitors, easily accessible to spectators and providing action both in winter and summer. The choice of tracks of various distances and difficulty level offers everyone the possibility to find what one wants depending on skills and level of training. The Trail features the ≪46K≫, one of the most beautiful track in the world at the foot of the Matterhorn, which justifies its belonging to the Skyrunner® World Series since 2013. Matterhorn Ultraks is supported by Scott, Alpina Watches, Compressport as well as by the Zermatt Tourist Office, the Commune and Bourgeoisie of Zermatt, the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn and Zermatt Bergbahnen. www.ultraks.com
About the Skyrunner World Series
Skyrunning was founded in 1992 by the Italian Marino Giacometti, the president of the International Skyrunning Federation which sanctions the discipline worldwide and sports the tagline: “Less Cloud, More Sky”. The Skyrunner® World Series was launched in 2004 and has grown to represent the peak of outdoor running defined by altitude and technicality. In 2016, the Series composed of four disciplines, features 23 races in 15 venues on three continents. It is supported by our Partner Migu Xempower, Sponsor Alpina Watches and Official Pool Suppliers, Scott Running, Compressport and Salomon. www.skyrunnerworldseries.com
About Alpina
ALPINE SPORTS WATCH MANUFACTURING – SINCE 1883
Alpina, famous for its red triangle signature, is an independent, family-owned fine watchmaking manufacture based in Geneva, Switzerland. Founded in 1883, Alpina’s watchmaking history spans more than 130 years. A true pioneer of the Swiss watchmaking industry, Alpina has been the source of numerous patents and innovative calibers. Alpina invented the concept of the Swiss sport watch, as we know it today, with the birth of its legendary Alpina 4 in 1938. Today, Alpina is one of the very few independent Swiss watch companies, which develops, produces and assembles its movements entirely in-house. Alpina proposes five in-house calibers: the AL-980 Tourbillon; the AL-718 World Timer; the AL-950 Automatic Regulator; the AL-710 Automatic Small Date and the AL-760 Flyback Chronograph. Faithful to its long tradition of innovation, in 2015 Alpina introduced the first Swiss Made Smartwatch, thereby creating a new watch category in the Swiss watch industry, the Horological Smartwatch.
