

The
5 Days of the Fortresses 2007 were based on Folgaria in Trentino, northern Italy. The events took place between 1000m and 1500m above sea level - high enough for many to feel the effects of altitude, but also high enough to be not too hot! At 1000m the forests were a mixture of coniferous and deciduous (mostly beech) trees, whilst at 1300m the forests were entirely coniferous and at 1500m the forests gave way to alpine meadows. Days 1 and 5 were medium length courses whilst days 2, 3 and 4 were normal distances. Day 5 was also a chasing start. As always, the Italian maps, courses and event organisation were excellent; with wonderful assembly/finish areas and a terrific atmosphere generated by the race commentator.
Folgaria - with the event welcome!


SUNDAY, JULY 01, 2007 - Training - Passo Coe Malga Zonta
Passo Coe is at 1600m and is a fantastic area. It was used for the Italian Championships in 2003 - the map shows the M50 course, with my training course in black.


MONDAY, JULY 02, 2007 - Day 1 - Forte Cherle
M50 was 4.9k with 210m of climb and 13 controls, and took me 33 minutes.
Results.Splits.Davis Rosen, SROC, the only other British runner on M50; sprinting for the finish.



TUESDAY, JULY 03, 2007 - Day 2 - Forte Cherle
M50 was 5.1k with 230m of climb and 12 controls, and took me 43 minutes.
Results.Splits.
Toby Imhof, SUI, on the run in.



THURSDAY, JULY 05, 2007 - Day 3 - Lago di Lavarone
M50 was 5.8k with 215m of climb and 15 controls, and took me 51 minutes.
Results.Splits.Hazel Dean, FVO, sprinting towards the finish.



FRIDAY, JULY 06, 2007 - Day 4 - Lago di Lavarone
M50 was 5.7k with 245m of climb and 18 controls, and took me 52 minutes.
Results.Splits.

SATURDAY, JULY 07,2007, - Day 5 - Costa di Folgaria
M50 was 4.9k with 210m of climb and 14 controls, and took me 37 minutes.
Results.Splits.Prize giving - alongside Lars Lonnkvist SWE 1st, Francesco Guglielmetti SUI 2nd, Soren Jonsson NOR 3rd and Willi Muller SUI 4th.
