From the Prato di Sant’Orso of Cogne the long, multi-colored trail of participants in the Marciagranparadiso extends all along the 40 km trail of one of the most famous Italian classic technique long distance competitions.

A sporting adventure that began in 1975 at the foot of the Gran Paradiso massif where, in 1910, a set of strange wooden objects with leather straps tied to the shoes appeared for the first time thanks to the initiative of the Norwegian Ranjar Nordensent - an engineer in the Cogne mines - became one of the symbols of the local people, so much so that in 1921 the association “Sciatori del Gran Paradiso” (Skiers of Gran Paradiso) was created, becoming one of Valle d’Aosta’s first skiing clubs. The dedication to this sport and the ability to organise events at an international level have become, during the years, a superb calling card for Cogne, the biggest town in the Gran Paradiso National Park.

The idea of organising a long distance walk at the foot of the Gran Paradiso, at a time when long distance walking was not given much attention in Italy, was, without a doubt, a pioneering choice and a great, stupendous sporting risk - one that was immediately able to gather approval and enthusiasm throughout an entire community, all intensely involved in organising something that would become one of the most beautiful, prestigious events of the Italian long distance scene.

The Marciagranparadiso trail is considered one of the most spectacular and technical of all the Italian long distance trails, and the 40 kilometres route, which runs, for the most part, through the entire area of the Gran Paradiso makes it a truly unique race, immersed in the silence and grandeur of the Valdostan peaks that have seen great athletes pass through.
A 25km “light” version is also held.

In the past editions, many important athletes have taken part, including - to mame but a few - Maurilio De Zolt, Maria Canins Bonaldi, Silvano Barco, Marco Albarello, Giorgio Vanzetta, Guidina Dal Sasso, Odd Bjoern Hjelmeset, Cristina Paluselli, Giorgio Di Centa, Gabriella Paruzzi, Fabio Pasini, Elisa Brocard, Alexis Jeannerod, Flavia Caminada, Mikael Abram: names that need no introductions and that give added prestige to this event.

The Marciagranparadiso is part of Ski Classics Challengers international circuit.