Want to flex your physical prowess while on holiday in the Cinque Terre this December?  The brand new SciaccheTrail Vertical Race (brought to you by the group that organizes the highly successful SchiaccheTrail ultra trail run, which I’ve blogged about in the past here and here) could be just what you’re looking for.  This timed sprint will get your heart thumping as you start at sea level in Manarola and race up 300 ancient stone stairs amongst the picturesque vineyards to the top of a ridge 165 meters above the sea (total distance is 700 meters, estimated race time is less than 10 minutes).  Once all of the participants have reached the finish they will symbolically light Manarola’s world-renowned presespe (nativity scene).

Photo credit: Christine Godfrey

If a picture is worth a thousand words, the video promoting the Vertical Race is probably worth a million.  Check it out here.

The SchiaccheTrail Vertical Race (dubbed SVR) is scheduled for the afternoon of December 10, 2016, in the village of Manarola.  International runners are more than welcome to participate! The registration fee is €25 and €5 of that fee will go directly to Fondazione Manarola, a non-profit geared to saving Manarola’s culture, agriculture & landscape.  Prizes for those with the best times will include running shoes and local wine (not to mention bragging rights).

So one question remains:  Are you up for it?

Find more details here.  Register here.