Trail del Bersaglio

The Trail del Bersaglio takes place in early May in Sommariva del Bosco, a town in the province of Cuneo in the Roero, the hill country separated from the Langhe by the Tanaro river. Organised by the CB Sport Caramagna club with the support of the municipalities it crosses, the event was first held in 2022 and quickly found its place on the Piedmont calendar thanks to a format with something for everyone: three timed races, a non-competitive version, a family walk and children's runs, all starting and finishing at the Parco del Bersaglio.

The longest course, called The Wall, covers about 30 km with 700 m of elevation gain. It sets off at 9:30 am alongside the Hillary Step, a 20 km route with 300 m of climbing. At 10 am comes the start of the Akatte, 10 km with just 100 m of ascent, together with its non-competitive version, which requires no medical certificate. The course names refer to the spots where the slope suddenly rears up, short sharp climbs that break the rhythm in terrain that is otherwise modest in altitude. The routes mix singletrack, gravel roads, farm tracks and a few short tarmac sections, roughly 5% of the total.

The setting is what makes the race stand out. The Roero is cut by the Rocche, deep ravines carved by erosion into sands of marine origin, forming pale cliffs, narrow ridges and wooded gorges. Runners move through the shade of centuries-old oaks, run along sandy crests and then drop into steep-sided valleys where the silence is almost complete, in the area of the Parco Forestale del Roero. On loose and sometimes very steep ground, the descents demand real concentration.

With moderate climbing, the event suits trail runners looking to go fast as well as road runners keen to try the trails, although the 30 km calls for solid endurance and confidence on technical ground. The competitive races, sanctioned by FIDAL, are open to adults holding a FIDAL licence, a membership of an Italian sports promotion body or a Runcard, together with a medical certificate for competitive sport. The non-competitive 10 km and the 8 km Family Walk, which starts at 10:15 am, are open to everyone without a licence. Children have loops of 1.5 km and 2 km depending on their age.

Bibs and race packs are collected at the Parco del Bersaglio on the afternoon before or on race morning. The races are run in semi-self-sufficiency, with one aid station on the course and another at the finish, and no plastic cups. For the three timed races, mandatory kit includes trail shoes, a personal cup, at least 500 ml of water and a phone, with spot checks possible during the race. The time limit is four hours for all distances. Entry for the competitive races includes a post-race lunch and a beer, and the prize-giving takes place at around 12:30 pm.