It will be said that 2030 is here, just around the corner, because time passes quickly, just as it has flown since that June 2010 when the HERO saw the light.
Source: press release
Today, we can say that the race has grown both organizationally and in terms of its image: the strength of the HERO Südtirol Dolomites lies in the solidity of a year-round organization that, with the support of local governments, tourism organizations, and the Province of Bolzano, has built an internationally recognized organizational model. Added to this is the invaluable support of reliable partners and the ability to constantly renew itself with collateral initiatives, making the HERO not just a race, but a true sporting and cultural festival. An event that annually brings more than 3.000 athletes from over 40 nations to compete in the world's toughest marathon race.
And among the initiatives championed by Gerhard Vanzi, CEO and founder of the event, we find the creation of the HERO UCI Marathon World Cup, a circuit he coordinates and promotes until 2030. It is on the basis of this vision that HERO has applied to host the World Championship, which would celebrate a journey built on passion, innovation, and collaboration with the UCI. A second opportunity to confirm that here, among the UNESCO World Heritage mountains, the word "hero" truly has a special meaning.
Yes, the second time, because in 2015 the HERO hosted the Marathon World Championships, an event that brought the region global visibility, strengthening the image of the Dolomites as a premier mountain biking destination. Now, ten years later, the organizing committee aims to make a further leap in quality, focusing not only on the competitive aspect, but also on the values of image, sustainability, and territorial promotion already recognized on several occasions by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).
"It would be fantastic to bring the UCI Marathon World Championships back to the Dolomites in 2030, marking the 20th anniversary of the HERO Südtirol Dolomites, creating a special opportunity to host the event. The first UCI World Championships, held in 2015, significantly boosted the mountain biking movement in the Dolomites and summer tourism," comments Gerhard Vanzi, "and I would like to thank the Val Gardena community—the tourism organizations, municipal administrations, and the Province of Bolzano—for their support, recognizing its value and opportunity."
Preparing for a World Championship certainly doesn't come without its challenges. Ever-improving courses, adequate facilities, and documentation compliant with UCI standards are the technical foundation, but for the HERO, the goal is broader: to transform the World Championships into a lever for promoting the sport, tourism, and the discipline's ethical values. The HERO's rise to international prominence was evident after the 2015 World Championships, when the organization launched a World Series outside Italy, involving other events with the same values and objectives as the Dolomite race.
Now, at the headquarters in Selva di Val Gardena, the decision on the awarding of the 2030 World Championships is awaited. This decision rests with the UCI Management Committee, composed of 19 members representing the five continents. In the case of the HERO, the race has received the full support of the Italian Cycling Federation and its president, Cordiano Dagnoni. The verdict will be announced on September 25th in Kigali, Rwanda, during the annual UCI congress.
