The Maratona dles Dolomites is quite probably the oldest cyclosportive in the world.
The first edition, in 1987, was a celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the Societá Ciclistica Alta Badia-Raiffeisen. The route snaked over seven Dolomite passes: Gardena, Selle, Fedaia, Duran, Forcella Staulanza, Falzarego and Valparola. It took even the fastest rider over ten hours to complete the 175 kilometre course.
From the first edition, the route morphed and developed. By 1990, it looked significantly different: it was 184 kilometres long, and included the Valparola Pass, the Tre Croci Pass, Misurina Lake, the Cimabanche watershed, Cortina, the Giau Pass, Colle Santa Lucia, Caprile, the Fedaia Pass, Canazei, the Pordoi Pass, Arabba and the Campolongo Pass. Featuring over 5,000 metres, it was an incredible challenge to competitors.
As the years moved forward further, the number of Maratona participants grew and grew. The routes developed as well, but remained challenging ascents of multipl…
I think I'm probably right in saying a fair bit of this is shot in the South Downs :-)
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