Il Mal del Tor dés Gèants, come il Mal d'Africa. Quella nostalgia che spinge chi ha già partecipato a voler far ritorno ad una delle gare di endurance podsitica più impegnative del mondo. Ma il "Tor-Ache" è anche un morbo contagioso: cresce il numero di quelli che vogliono parteciparvi, quasi si trattasse di una piccola epidemia. Le iscrizioni all'edizione 2012 sono state aperte il 1° febbraio e sono state completate sino al tetto massimo di iscritti previsto in 27 minuti soltanto: tetto massimo fisdsato a quota 600. Sono 63 le donne iscritte: un'edizione che, oltre che più numerosa, si preannuncia maggiormente internazionale con 23 nazioni rappresentate da ben 4 continenti. Francia ed Italia, le nazioni maggiormente rappresentate.

Di seguito il comunicato stampa (testo inglese)

TOR des GEANTS®. An extraordinary challenge in the heart of the four giants of the Alps! One of the World's Top Endurance Trails: 330 km long with a positive altitude difference of 24,000 metre along the Alte Vie routes in the Valle d'Aosta (3rd Edition from 9 to 16 September 2012, VALLE D'AOSTA, ITALY)

Thanks to a record number of entries, which closed within 27 minutes, the 3rd edition of Tor des Géants® is going tobe thrilling! Without a doubt, the fabulous scenery, the fun spirit of the organization, the incredible atmosphere that builds throughout race week, and the sporting drive of the first across the finish line together make up the successof this event - guaranteeing a fantastic adventure.

The race has made a name for itself in just three years

Today, the Tor des Géants® is one of the most famous trail races, attracting many amateurs but also some of the best professionals in the sport.

For the top places: 4 days and 3 nights of competition, for the others: maximum 150 hours, or 6 days, 6 nights and 6hours. As with most long distance races, the aim is to cross the finish line and complete the race. The time is not thatimportant when all is said and done! But above all, runners will seek total immersion, a journey to discover their own physicaland mental limits, which will stir emotions never felt before. 

A continuous mixture of exhaustion, joy, tears, pain, pleasure and excitement: that is what we mean by "Tor-ache". 

What they say about the 2011 edition speaks volumes about this mammoth sporting event! 

Patrick Jarret (FRA) "conquered" the Tor des Géants® in 2011 (44th), "I came to the starting line trained up and well rested. Ineeded to be, because I slept two hours the first day and not much more the following days. The biggest problem was food, as nutrition was limited to energy gels. I lost 4 kg! Overall, I have a fantastic memory of it, the night race with just myheadlamp for light, the amazing hospitality of the people from the 32 villages we went through, and the solidarity and support from the other competitors at the dawn of a new day of competition. Even the thinking, because during almost fivedays you have time to think about your family and children at home. But what immense joy at reaching Courmayeur afterso much sweat! There were also moments of sheer happiness, watching the sun rise over the mountains, magicalencounters with chamois antelopes and knowing that I have gone beyond my limits".

Final competitor (300th) Gianni Savoia (ITA), was overcome with emotion, "I dreamt of this moment the entire week long, thefinish line... I never thought I'd make it and now the joy is immense! Endurance trails are one of the few races whereeveryone can cross the finish line with the same joy and receive that same welcome as the first finishers! We amateursget to feel the strain, the doubts and the same emotions as the professionals! And to celebrate as champions!" .

Tor des Géants® 2012: four continents at the foot of the four giants of the Alps!

Entries to the 3rd edition of the Tor des Géants® opened on Wednesday 1 February, and were full after only 27 minutes. In 2011, entries were limited to 550 bibs and closed after four days! Now with increased interest, the figures have graduallyincreased. The 2012 edition of the Tor des Géants® will welcome 600 participants including 63 women.

This edition will be more international, in fact 26 countries from 4 continents will take part: America, Europe, Asia andOceania. It is with great sadness that Africa is not represented as our goal for 2013 was to unite the five continents!

The 2 countries with the most entries are: Italy (47% of participants) and France (26%). At 3rd and 4th place are Spain(7%) and Japan (3%).

Other countries taking part: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Norway, NewZealand, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom, Singapore, United States, Sweden, Switzerland and Hungary.

The youngest runner to launch into the fray is Swiss Jules-Henri Gabioud, 24, impressive winner of the 2011 edition in 79hours, 58 minutes and 26 seconds. While the oldest participant at the starting line of this 3rd edition is an Italian from Aosta,Angelo Gandini, 73.

In 2011, the oldest competitor to complete the race was Yves Meurgey, 70, (274th over the line).

The Tor des Géants® 2011 in figures

473 runners on the starting line

4 continents (Europe, Asia, Africa and America) and 23 countries represented

300 finishers, 63% (+ 9% on 2010) including 34 women

1,200 volunteers

33 municipalities in the Valle d'Aosta involved in the event

7 service points, each with: 1 doctor, 2 nurses, 2 mountain guides and 1 mountain rescue expert, on hand 24 hours a day

2,860 bananas

4,230 oranges

2,421 litres of water

4,527 cans of Coca Cola

340 kg of pasta

395 litres of soup

Race profile

330 km, a positive altitude difference of 24,000 m, 25 cols at over 2,000 m high to cross, and a time limit of 150 hoursall in one go amid the "giants" of Valle d'Aosta.

The Tor des Géants® runs along the two Alte Vie routes in Valle d'Aosta, making it an authentic journey through the heart of the highest peaks in Europe. The paths run along the foot of Mont Blanc (4,810 m), the Gran Paradiso (4,061 m), Monte Rosa(4,634 m) and the Matterhorn (4,478 m): the 4 giants of the Alps.

For 2010 and 2011 results and more information, visit: www.tordesgeants.it