Val di Fassa Running - 1st stage
Val di Fassa Running starts in Canazei: the first stage begins and ends in the village, and this year will be held in the evening for the first time
The Val di Fassa Running stage race returns to the 2026 sporting calendar with its historic format, organised by Val di Fassa Grandi Eventi: five stages, 6-12 km each, a different location every day, for a total of around 40 km of rolling sections to push the pace, flowing descents and climbs that test both legs and mindset. From 21 to 26 June, runners take on spectacular courses through the most iconic corners of the valley.
On Sunday 21 June at 6 p.m., the race kicks off in Canazei.
The opening stage - 6.8 km with 82 metres of elevation gain - is designed to ease you in and get the legs turning: a smooth course that runs mainly through the streets and surroundings of the upper valley, linking Canazei, Campitello and Alba. It's the stage that sparks the energy, brings everyone together and sets the rhythm for the week ahead. Runners set off in the early evening, with the light slowly changing and the Dolomites glowing above the valley - a different atmosphere from the usual, more intimate and vibrant. Afterwards, the celebration continues with a pasta party, music and entertainment, plus the presentation of the weekly programme and the technical briefing for the upcoming stages. Walkers are part of the opening celebration too: a dedicated 2.2 km route with 32 metres of elevation gain between Canazei and Alba allows them to share the excitement of race day at a more relaxed pace, surrounded by the same extraordinary Dolomite scenery.
If you can't join the entire week of racing, you can choose your own challenge and take part in a single stage, registering directly at the start.
