Limone Extreme is a trail- and skyrunning event taking place in mid-October at the end of the summer racing season and it usually attracts many top athletes from different disciplines: Skyrunners, mountain runners, orienteering runners, trail runners and even several elite ski mountaineers usually show up for this unique event. That’s why it has gotten a reputation of being a very tough end-of-season skyrunning event with a high competition level, but also an occasion for everyone to meet up and celebrate the season with an infamous skyrunners’ party!

For me Limone Extreme has always been connected to strong emotions and not necessarily to my best performances (since by mid-October I am usually a bit tired from a long season with up to 11 skyraces), but always to meeting up with my running and skimountaineering friends and spending a great time.

In one year I had to settle with a top 30 place due to strong cramps and fatigue after a virus infection, but I had maybe one of the best skyrunning parties ever after the race. In 2018, despite being tired at the end of the season, I managed a 10th place and could celebrate my win of the ‘Sky Classic World Series’!

Limone Extreme Skyrace and Vertical Kilometer is special due to the high diversity of athletes and for the technical, rough and steep trails. But the village is also popular for its iconic setting on the shore of Lake Garda, with tasty Italian food, swimming pools and a holiday atmosphere. For the race itself it is very hard to predict who will be in the top 10 or on the podium, because some athletes arrive in Limone exhausted from a long season with many sky- and trailraces and some people prepare very specifically to do well in this race. Others are in the middle of the preparation of their ski mountaineering season. That’s what makes this race exciting!

For 2019, the race format has changed: Now there is a skyrace for all runners (both ‘short’ 10k and ‘long’ 23k distance), and the Skyrunner World Series final, which is reserved to qualified elite athletes only – more technical and very steep. I would say that the 23k/2000 m d+ Limone Skyrace is not necessarily for everyone because of its steep and technical course. But beginners or those who are unsure can definitely start with the shorter distance (10k) and then do the longer race a year later. And of course, there is the vertical race, which is a very nice way of discovering Limone’s hills by night and it is also a decent challenge!

If you are planning to do the skyrace or if you are qualified for the elite skyrace I recommend you to carry at least some soft bottle(s) in your hands (or in a small trail vest), because the weather can be very dry and hot and you may get really thirsty. You also need to carry some energy gels with you, one for every 40 minutes of racing.

I recommend not to start too fast; some people start out quite fast on the first road and on the steep uphill, but after the first uphill there is still a long way to go with several longer and shorter downhills and uphills - your legs may get tired too early. So it is best to go at a comfortable pace until after the first uphill and downhill and then start pushing more. Also, the last downhill should not be underestimated because it is quite technical. Therefore, for Limone Extreme it is important to go and train your downhill skills! In several editions the race was decided and won in the last downhill.

For the vertical race it is important to bring a good headlamp. The best is to try and follow your own pace and not look too much at the other competitors, as it is quite a long vertical of 1100 m d+. Only start scratching your limits once you are past halfway up. And don’t forget to enjoy the evening views of the village of Limone and lake Garda!

If you want to compete alongside the world’s best Skyrunners, watch ‘in real’ the battle for the win of the Skyrunner World Series, but also enjoy some good food and holiday atmosphere, Limone is the place to go to in October! And don’t forget your bathing suit…