Sophie Woods’ incredible odyssey on the Via Alpina
2,000 kilometers, 112,000 meters of positive elevation gain, and a complete crossing of the Alps in less than a month. This is the monumental feat achieved by New Zealand ultra-runner Sophie Woods (Grant) during the summer of 2026. By linking Trieste to Monaco in 28 days, 17 hours, and 59 minutes, the Chamonix-based athlete shattered the course record, permanently etching her name into the history of Fastest Known Times (FKT).
Running the equivalent of nearly 50 consecutive marathons in high mountains requires extraordinary resilience. For Sophie, the greatest challenge was not just the verticality, but the extreme weather. During her second week of running in Austria, temperatures soared to 37°C. To avoid a fatal heatstroke on the scorching valley asphalt, her support crew had to deploy precise logistics: improvised ice baths in alpine fountains and continuous wrapping in ice packs.
Between managing immense fatigue, crossing technical mountain passes during storms, and consuming 7,000 caloriesdaily to fuel the machine, this adventure will remain one of the finest demonstrations of ultra-endurance of the decade. Sophie Woods’ performance sets a stratospheric new women’s benchmark and perfectly embodies the wild spirit of the Via Alpina.
Record Datasheet:
- Athlete: Sophie Woods (New Zealand / Resident in Chamonix).
- Performance: Complete crossing record (Supported FKT).
- Official time: 28 days, 17 hours, and 59 minutes.
- Route direction: Trieste (Italy) ➔ Monaco.
- Daily average: Around 70 km and 4,000 m of D+ per day.
- Energy fuel: Around 7,000 kcal burned and ingested per 24 hours.
- Key logistics: Mobile support team (crew) for valley aid stations, ice supply for the Austrian heatwave, and spare gear management.
