The World Mountain and Trail Running Championships 2023 in Innsbruck-Stubai were not exclusively reserved for elite athletes. One of the defining features of the event was its commitment to making world-class mountain and trail running accessible to everyone. Through the Public Races programme — headlined by the spectacular KRONE Race to Höll — hundreds of recreational runners had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to race on the same alpine terrain that hosted the world championships. This page covers everything about the public participation events: the KRONE Race to Höll course profile, who could take part, registration details, the race-day experience, additional event formats, results and the legacy these races leave behind.
The KRONE Race to Höll was the centrepiece of the public race programme. Named after the Höll-Alm — a dramatic alpine pasture high above the Stubai Valley — this mountain race gave amateur runners the chance to test themselves on a course that shared key sections with the official Vertical Race and Mountain Classic championship routes. It was organised in partnership with the Kronen Zeitung, Austria's largest daily newspaper, which gave the event significant media coverage and helped attract a broad field of participants.
The KRONE Race to Höll covered approximately 8.5 kilometres with around 1,000 metres of positive elevation gain. Starting in the Stubai Valley at an altitude of roughly 1,000 metres, the course climbed relentlessly through forest trails, open alpine meadows and rocky switchbacks before reaching the Starkenburger Hütte at approximately 2,000 metres above sea level. The terrain was varied and demanding: well-maintained forest paths gave way to narrower single tracks, exposed ridgeline sections and the final steep push to the finish — a leg-burning ascent that left even experienced mountain runners gasping. The average gradient was around 12 percent, with certain sections exceeding 25 percent.
The KRONE Race to Höll was open to all running enthusiasts aged 18 and over. No federation membership, qualification times or racing licence were required. The only prerequisites were a reasonable level of fitness for mountain running and completion of the online registration process. The organisers recommended that participants should be comfortable running on uneven alpine terrain and have experience with sustained climbs of at least 500 metres of elevation gain. While competitive runners made up a significant portion of the field, the event also welcomed hikers and fitness runners who were happy to complete the course at a more measured pace.
Registration for the KRONE Race to Höll opened several months before the championships and operated on a tiered pricing model. Early-bird entries cost approximately 45 euros, with the standard entry fee rising to around 65 euros closer to race day. The entry fee included the race bib, an electronic timing chip, finish-line refreshments with Tyrolean specialities, a finisher medal, and full access to the Trail Running Expo at the Olympiaworld in Innsbruck. Late registration on-site was possible subject to availability, though the event regularly reached its capacity limit well before race day.
Race day for the KRONE Race to Höll began early, with participants gathering at the start area in the Stubai Valley amidst a festival-like atmosphere. Music, warm-up sessions led by professional coaches, and the buzz of nervous energy among runners created an electric pre-race mood. The start was held in waves to manage the flow of runners on the narrow trail sections, with elite recreational athletes setting off first, followed by successive waves at short intervals.
On the course itself, the experience was unforgettable. Volunteers and spectators lined the trail at key points, cheering runners upward. Aid stations at roughly the halfway mark provided water, isotonic drinks, fruit and energy bars. The final kilometre — a steep, exposed climb with panoramic views of the Stubai Alps — tested both physical endurance and mental determination. Crossing the finish line at the Starkenburger Hütte, participants were greeted with applause, a finisher medal, and the stunning reward of a 360-degree alpine panorama stretching from the Stubai Glacier to the peaks of the Zillertal Alps.
Post-race festivities at the finish area included a ceremony for the top finishers, live music, and a communal meal at the mountain hut. Many participants described the experience as one of the most rewarding races they had ever completed — not just because of the challenging terrain, but because of the extraordinary setting and the knowledge that they had raced on the same trails as the world's best mountain runners.
Beyond the KRONE Race to Höll, the Innsbruck Alpine Trailrun Festival offered several supplementary participation formats designed to cater to a wider range of abilities and interests:
Shorter fun runs of approximately 3 to 5 kilometres allowed beginners and less experienced runners to sample the championship course terrain without the full challenge of the main event. These runs typically featured less elevation gain (200 to 400 metres) and were designed to be accessible for fitness runners, fast hikers and younger athletes. The atmosphere was deliberately non-competitive, with the emphasis on enjoyment, the alpine scenery and the shared experience of running in a World Championship setting.
Guided trail running sessions, led by experienced local athletes and mountain guides, gave participants the chance to explore sections of the championship courses with expert commentary. These guided runs typically covered 8 to 15 kilometres and included stops at scenic viewpoints where guides explained the tactical challenges that elite athletes faced on the same terrain. The sessions were limited to small groups (usually 15 to 20 people) to ensure a personalised experience and were available at various pace levels from comfortable hiking speed to brisk running pace.
Dedicated youth races for runners aged 14 to 17 were organised on shortened and less technically demanding versions of the championship courses. These events served both as an introduction to competitive mountain running and as a celebration of the next generation of trail and mountain athletes. Prize categories were divided by age group and gender, and every young finisher received a certificate and medal.
Full results for all public races were published on race day and remain available on our results page. The KRONE Race to Höll results include overall men's and women's rankings, age-group classifications (typically in five-year brackets from 18–29 through to 70+), and intermediate split times at key checkpoints. The winning time in the men's field was well under one hour, demonstrating that the event attracted a high calibre of recreational athletes alongside first-time mountain racers who took two hours or more to complete the course.
For runners inspired by the KRONE Race to Höll and considering entering similar mountain races in the future, the following training principles are key:
The public races at the 2023 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships were more than just a sideshow to the elite competition. They embodied the event's philosophy that mountain and trail running belongs to everyone — from world-class athletes to weekend hikers discovering their first alpine race. The courses remain open as hiking and running trails, and the course descriptions on this site provide all the information needed for anyone who wants to retrace the steps of both the world champions and the hundreds of public race participants who made the WMTRC 2023 a celebration of the entire mountain running community.
For spectator information, including how to reach the course and cheering zones, visit our spectator guide.
The KRONE Race to Höll was the mass-participation highlight of the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships 2023. It was an open mountain race from the Stubai Valley up to the Starkenburger Hütte, where amateur runners could race on sections of the official championship course. Named after the Höll Alm, the race covered approximately 8.5 kilometres with around 1,000 metres of elevation gain.
The public races were open to all running enthusiasts aged 18 and over. No special qualifications, racing licences or federation memberships were required. Prior online registration was necessary, and participants needed a basic level of mountain running fitness. The shorter fun runs were accessible to beginners and fast hikers as well.
The course covered approximately 8.5 kilometres with around 1,000 metres of positive elevation gain. Starting in the Stubai Valley, it climbed through forest trails, alpine meadows and rocky switchbacks to the Starkenburger Hütte at roughly 2,000 metres altitude. The average gradient was around 12 percent, with some sections exceeding 25 percent.
Yes. The Innsbruck Alpine Trailrun Festival offered additional formats including shorter fun runs (3 to 5 km), guided trail running sessions led by local experts, and youth races for runners aged 14 to 17. These events were designed to be more accessible and catered to beginners, families and young athletes.
The entry fee ranged from approximately 45 euros (early-bird) to 65 euros (standard registration). The fee included the race bib, timing chip, finish-line refreshments, a finisher medal and access to the Trail Running Expo. Some shorter fun runs had lower entry fees or were free of charge.
Mandatory equipment for the KRONE Race to Höll included trail running shoes with adequate grip, a rain jacket, an emergency whistle, a fully charged mobile phone, and at least 500 ml of fluids. Equipment checks were carried out at the start, and runners without mandatory gear risked disqualification.
The public races used sections of the official championship courses but were not identical to the full elite race routes. The KRONE Race to Höll shared terrain with the Vertical Race and Mountain Classic, giving participants an authentic World Championship experience. The shorter fun runs used other portions of the championship course network.
Full results for all public races, including the KRONE Race to Höll, are available on our results page. Results include overall rankings, age-group classifications, and split times at intermediate checkpoints. They were published on race day and remain permanently available.