Pontboset Skyrace - Paolo Jacquin Trophy

A classic of Aosta Valley skyrunning

The Pontboset Skyrace - Paolo Jacquin Trophy is a skyrunning race held annually on the first Sunday of August in Pontboset, a small municipality in the Province of Aosta nestled in the Champorcher valley, at the foot of the Gran Paradiso massif. Founded in 2003, it has become a reference event in the mountain running calendar and is now valid for the Aosta Valley Skyrunning Championship.

The course

The route covers approximately 23 km with 2,100 meters of positive elevation gain. The start is set in the center of Pontboset, at an altitude of 780 meters: from here, the race climbs along the mule track towards Crest, crosses the Vallone di Brenve and alpine pastures, tackles sections of trail and scree up to the third refreshment point at Col Bruillet (2,450 m), near Lago Cornuto, with a view of Monte Rosa, before returning to the starting point. A challenging course, reserved for the most trained skyrunners.

History and protagonists

The race, named in memory of Paolo Jacquin, has written important pages in Aosta Valley skyrunning history: the men's course record is held by Lucio Fregona (2h22'28" in 2006), while among the most successful athletes are Dennis Brunod and Gloriana Pellissier, each with five wins. Organized by Atletic Team 2000 in collaboration with the Municipality of Pontboset, the race combines sport, landscape, and community spirit in one of the wildest corners of the Aosta Valley.