From 1 to 31 January 2024, 21,976 men and women registered for the starting place draw - more than ever before. Compared to last year's record number of registrations, the number of registrations has once again increased by almost 3,000. As always, only 4000 starting places will be allocated as there is a limit on the number of participants. The majority of registrations come from Germany.
After a brief change of dates in 2023, the Ötztal Cycle Marathon 2024 will once again take place on the traditional date at the end of the summer holidays. Officially, 227 kilometres and 5500 vertical metres are on the programme. As always, the start and finish is in Sölden.
New record
While the number of registrations has hovered around 15,000 in recent years, 19,000 were counted last year due to the early date in July. This year, the Ötztal Cycle Marathon, which leads over the four high Alpine passes of Kühtai, Brenner Pass, Jaufen Pass and Timmelsjoch, will return to its original date of 1 September 2024. "The Ötztal Cycle Marathon is returning to its original date in late summer with even greater demand. The overwhelming interest in this legend is clearly confirmed by the new record number of registrations," says organiser Dominic Kuen.
Cyclists from all over Europe are obviously prepared to spend more on the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon than on other cycle marathons: the entry fee for 2024 is 179 euros and registration for the prize draw costs 5.90 euros. However, the Ötztal finisher jersey is priceless: only those who complete the course will receive the coveted jersey.
Ötztal Cycle Marathon Route 2024
The route, which starts and finishes in Sölden, first takes the cyclists downhill, then steeply over the Kühtaisattel, on to the provincial capital of Innsbruck and over the Brenner Pass to South Tyrol. With the Jaufen Pass and the Timmelsjoch at 2474 metres above sea level, two major challenges await at the end. It is not without reason that the Timmelsjoch is considered a tough challenge on the way to the Ötztal dream.
Last year we accompanied an amateur athlete and his way to the Ötztaler. Here is the first part of the article series
Kristian Bauer
Editor
