Tor des Geants
Sandy is competing in the 3rd Annual Tor des Geants this year in Courmayeur, Italy. The race takes place in the heart of the Italian alps. Some people have tried to dissuade her from taking on the event. Why? She needs to train for a very high altitude race while living at sea level in Florida. Crazy? Yes! But why not try? After all, she trained for most of her desert races through the freezing Canadian winters! This year Sandy will be blogging about her training and preparation for this monumental challenge which is such a huge departure from what she normally competes in. Crossing The Divide...from running in Deserts around the world, to taking on the knarly Italian Alps...Let the Fun begin!

What is the Tor des Geants?
The Tor des Geants is a one-of-a-kind race. The expression means "Tour of the Giants". It is the world's longest ultra trail which crosses the entire Aosta valley in one stage. Competitors are required to race 200 miles (330K) in 150 hours or less. The course features 24,000 meters of elevation climb...which is the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest three times from sea level...or 5 times from base camp. It is monstrous.

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Where is the Tor des Geants?
The Tor des Geants takes place in the heart of Europe's tallest peaks. The trail undulates at the feet of the 5 giants of the Alps...Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa Massif, Rutor, Gran Paradiso and the Matterhorn. There are 25 mountain passes to be crossed and 24,000 metres of altitude changes to be run in less than a week.

When is the Tor des Geants?
The Tor des Geants takes place Sunday, September 9th, 2012 and will end Saturday, September 15th, 2012. This year there are 600 athletes from around the world who will take part in this competition. When registration opened, this ultramarathon sold out in 27 minutes!!!

This Years Itinerary
Sandy leaves for Courmayeur, Italy on Tuesday, September 4th, 2012.

Saturday, September 8th, 2012
Bibs will be handed out and runner duffle bags for the event will have to be handed in to organizers. There will be a pasta party at 8pm and a technical briefing at 9pm.

Sunday, September 9th, 2012
There will be a prerace briefing at the start line at 9:45am. The race will begin at 10am.

Saturday, September 10th, 2012
Arrival of the final runners at the finish line.

Sunday, September 11th, 2012
Awards Ceremony at 11am.