The adidas Innsbruck Alpine Trailrun Festival (IATF), Tyrol’s most popular sporting event, is just around the corner: From 29 April to 2 May, 8,500 runners from 82 nations will tackle Austria’s biggest trail running event, featuring thirteen races. The elite race TRAIL HUNT is making its debut, with the scene’s top stars competing for prize money totalling 30,000 euros. Also taking part is an Olympic athlete, as well as strong Austrian contenders led by the Innerhofer brothers.
Even after eleven years, the IATF is once again setting new standards: with 8,500 runners, it is not only more international than ever, but is now one of the three largest trail running festivals in Europe. From 29 April to 2 May 2026, the area around the Innsbruck Landestheater will be transformed into the vibrant hub of mountain running. 60,000 visitors are expected, generating a tourism-related economic impact of around €3.6 million. With 12 races and distances ranging from around 7 kilometres with 250 metres of elevation gain to around 110 kilometres with 5,500 metres of elevation gain, the IATF offers races for every level – from beginners to ultra-runners. Alongside the spectacular trails and alpine panoramas, the expo, side events and culinary programme ensure a genuine festival atmosphere.
A highlight of the 11th edition of the IATF is the new elite race format, TRAIL HUNT, an exciting two-stage chase race along the legendary Nordkette. With a total prize fund of €30,000, it is attracting the world’s elite trail runners to the Tyrolean capital. “We have created a concept that is hard to beat in terms of dynamism and builds on the success of the 2023 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Innsbruck-Stubai (WMTRC),” says organiser Alexander Pittl.
The top favourites for the TRAIL HUNT
When it comes to mountain running icons, one immediately thinks of a pair of brothers from Salzburg: 30-year-olds Hans-Peter and Manuel Innerhofer from Neukirchen am Großvenediger. Both are among the top athletes in the Austrian national team. Manuel Innerhofer has high hopes for his season opener: “My aim is to run at the front and achieve a top result. It’s my first fitness test and I’m confident I’ll perform well. Basically, the new format offers a lot of dynamism. A vertical race followed by a pursuit race brings tactics into play and makes the race unpredictable.” The IATF is known far beyond the country’s borders, says Innerhofer: ‘It’s one of the most important and internationally renowned trail running events, with fierce competition and flawless organisation – this is where the scene comes together.’ The Salzburg native also sees a boom in the sport at a grassroots level: ‘People enjoy running in nature, and you can see it everywhere: the fields of runners are growing.’
Another contender for victory is Hannes Namberger from Inzell, Germany’s top trail runner, as well as Johannes Nussbaumer, who lives in Innsbruck and was last year’s Austrian uphill runner-up. A strong contingent for the TRAIL HUNT is coming from Kenya: Philemon Ombogo Kiriago (2025 Classic World Champion, 2023 Classic World Vice-Champion), Richard Omaya Atuya (2025 Uphill World Vice-Champion) and their up-and-coming compatriot Philaries Jeruto Kisang.
Johanna Hiemer: From ski mountaineering to trail running
A high-profile newcomer to the sport will also be on the starting line at the TRAIL HUNT on 30 April (Vertical Race, distance: 7.4 kilometres, ascent: 1,330 metres) and 1 May (Trail Race, distance: 23.9 kilometres, ascent: 1,450 metres): Johanna Hiemer from Schladming, who ended her ski mountaineering career after this year’s Olympic Games. She has already made a name for herself as a trail runner, having competed at the 2023 World Championships in Innsbruck-Stubai. At the IATF, she will be competing for Team Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and is looking forward to the event with great anticipation: “The trails around Innsbruck are unique – technically demanding and spectacular in terms of scenery. The IATF is a real challenge and, at the same time, a celebration for the entire trail running community. It brings together people from all over the world who share the same passion – that’s what defines the spirit of the event and motivates me to push my limits.” Strong competition comes in the form of Anna Plattner from Hall in Tirol. The former cyclist finished fifth in the trail event at the 2025 World Championships in Spain! South African adidas athlete Bianca Tarboton is also a strong contender.
Royalty-free photos:
– Johanna Hiemer at the 2023 Trail Running World Championships in Innsbruck-Stubai (Copyright: Laufwerkstatt/Roastmedia) https://www.mr-pr.at/new/images/Presse/Bilder/WMTRC_TrailShortWomen_HIEMERJohanna_TrailHalsl_roastmedia_021.jpg
– Hiemer in Innsbruck (Copyright: Innsbruck Tourism/Bause) https://www.mr-pr.at/new/images/Presse/Bilder/WMTRC_Trail-Short_HIEMERJohanna-AUT_InnsbruckTourismus-Bause.jpg
– Manuel Innerhofer training (Copyright: peakpixelcafe) https://www.mr-pr.at/new/images/Presse/Bilder/manuel_innerhofer.jpeg
– Hans-Peter Innerhofer at the 2023 World Championships (Copyright: Laufwerkstatt/Roastmedia) https://www.mr-pr.at/new/images/Presse/Bilder/WMTRC_TrailShortMen_INNERHOFERHansPeter_TrailHalsl_roastmedia_008.jpg
– The start of the K110 last year (Copyright: Laufwerkstatt/Roastmedia) https://www.mr-pr.at/new/images/Presse/Bilder/roastmedia_IATF_Start_K110_K85_Mitternacht10.jpg
– Athletes on the Nordkette in 2025 (Copyright: Laufwerkstatt/Roastmedia) https://www.mr-pr.at/new/images/Presse/Bilder/roastmedia_IATF_K110_K42_Fotopool42.jpg
– Over 8,000 participants will take part in the IATF this year (Copyright: Laufwerkstatt/Roastmedia) https://www.mr-pr.at/new/images/Presse/Bilder/roastmedia_IATF120.jpg
