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The definition of "Vertical Kilometer" is simple: a thousand meter drop on the shortest distance possible to perform against the clock.
Yves Jeannotat, sports journalist and specialist in athletics
The Vertical Kilometer in Fully, Switzerland is the shortest yet fastest vertical kilometer in the world. It is the first race of sorts in the European ski mountaineering calendar and organized by the local ski mountaineering team, Team La Trace.
Racers from all over the alps show up to showcase what is to come for the new season. Ten of these vertical races exist in France, Italy and Switzerland with the Fully race being perhaps the steepest holding an average grade of over 60% - poles are a necessity. Having heard about this race last year I decided I wanted to go over and give it a try and kickstart my training regime. Coming off a three week climbing vacation (post is coming, BB is operating on a time space continuum and going backwards in blog post time this month) I was certainly was not prepared for what I experienced, but what an awesome event to be a part of - some amazingly talented athletes. For more info on how to train for events such as this, click here (will need translation) for Team La Trace's training information.
- Ready to roll but not so sure what to expect...
The stunningly beautiful course is located near Martigny, Switzerland, in the sunny Rhone Valley. The event starts in a vineyard at the Belle Usine in Fully at 500 meters. The course follows an old railway track that was formerly used for hauling the grape harvest and continues up to Garettes at 1500 meters - the actual flat distance covered being 1920 meters. A panoramic view of the alps and the orchards and vineyards of valley awaits all who brave the crazy event.
As it is a narrow track (the cut in the trees can be seen from all across the valley) the race is conducted as a time trail, with each racer getting a specific departure time about 10-15 seconds apart, the first racer departing at 8:40. The faster your estimated time, the later you compete. I requested and early start time as I needed to be somewhere later in the day. While this was nice as no one was on course, it was a little lonely and not as motivational. Later in the day racers waited at the top and lined the course cheering the best of the best on as they ran, not hiked up the steep grade.
- Current record holder, Kilian Jornet
I entered the start area and lined up (bibs in descending order). On the command to depart, I ran at controlled pace, really having no idea what to expect. The first half was more gradual, each 100 meters marked by a small white sign. After about 400 meters the course left the vineyards of Euloz, running through a dusty tunnel and entered the forest. After 500 meters I looked up and realized the course went way vertical. I could see the white 100m signs above taunting me, an optical illusion making them appear closer together. My legs and I both thought "whoa" at the same time. 600 meters marked a small aid station andI gratefully grabbed some water. About 800 meters up I regretted wearing a long sleeve shirt in spite of the thick frost on my car that morning. I switched my Buff from my head to my
