The Maratona dles Dolomites - Enel is entering its 38th round. On 6 July 2025, up to 8,000 cycling enthusiasts will tackle the famous passes of the Dolomites. This year's edition received 32,700 registrations from 81 nations. Half of the starting places were allocated by lottery (half of them to Italians), the other half went to partners and tour operators. Interest in the Maratona is growing steadily: from 15,000 enquiries in 2006, the number has risen to over 30,000 in recent years. After a decline due to the pandemic, the organisers are now seeing a significant upswing again. It is remarkable that 55 per cent of the registered participants will be taking part in the Maratona for the first time.
New safety measure: rain jacket becomes mandatory
An important innovation concerns the participants' equipment: from this year onwards, it will be compulsory to wear a rain jacket during the race. This regulation is based on the experience of the previous edition, in which the weather conditions in the mountains proved to be unpredictable. Sudden drops in temperature and unexpected rain showers can pose a safety risk, especially at altitudes above 2,200 metres. Checks will be carried out at the start to ensure that all participants have a rain jacket with them.
Maratona dles Dolomites with prominent participants
The Maratona dles Dolomites - Enel also attracts well-known personalities. This year, among others, the former professional Peter Sagan as well as ex-professionals Miguel Indurain, Vincenzo Nibali and Paolo Bettini. Entrepreneurs and celebrities such as Francesco Carione (Gazzetta dello Sport) and Fausto Pinarello (Pinarello) will also be taking part. RAI will broadcast the race live for six hours on RAI 2, from 6.15am to 12.00pm.
Maratona dles Dolomites with three familiar routes
Participants can choose between three routes that are among the classics of cycling. The longest route, the Maratona route, covers 138 kilometres and climbs 4,230 metres in altitude. The medium distance covers 106 kilometres and 3,130 metres in altitude. For beginners or less ambitious riders, there is the Sella circuit with 55 kilometres and 1,780 metres of altitude. A special feature of the race is the absence of motorised traffic: all roads are completely closed to cars and motorbikes during the event.
Accompanying programme for Maratona dles Dolomites
In the days leading up to the race, from 3 to 5 July, S. Leonhard in Badia is transformed into the Maratona Village. Thousands of cycling enthusiasts and visitors gather here. In addition to exhibitor stands, there will be music, fashion shows and culinary delights. Numerous partners present their products: Pirelli offers tyre checks, Enervit presents energy products and Pinarello invites visitors to test futuristic bikes. New partners such as Abus with helmets, One-K Wheels with carbon wheels and Northwave with cycling clothing will also be represented.
Charity and sustainability
The organisers attach great importance to social commitment. Over 73,000 euros were raised for charity through the sale of 400 starting places. The donations go to projects in Syria, Uganda and Chad as well as to a road safety initiative for schoolchildren. The Maratona Village also focusses on sustainability: A free bicycle depot enables visitors to get around car-free, and volunteers help with waste separation and recycling in the "Green Corner".
Kristian Bauer
Editor
