2,000 kilometers, 112,000 meters of positive elevation gain, and the entire Alpine arc crossed in less than 24 days. This is the ultimate record set by Swiss ultra-runner Frédéric Splendore in August 2026. By completing the route from Monaco to Trieste in 23 days and 12 hours, he reclaimed the absolute record (Fastest Known Time – FKT) for the crossing, solidifying his place among the legends of ultra-endurance.

To maintain a pace of nearly 85 kilometers per day across the highest and steepest trails in Europe, Frédéric had to rely on flawless physical condition and a ruthless mental edge. Unlike the heatwaves that struck earlier in the summer, his biggest challenge was sleep management. Pushing the boundaries of human endurance, the Swiss athlete adopted a minimalist sleep strategy, averaging just a few hours of rest per night to maximize his moving time on the trail.

Navigating technical alpine terrain by headlamp, enduring brutal mountain weather, and burning thousands of calories each day, Frédéric executed a masterclass in pacing and logistics. His time of 23 days and 12 hours stands as the absolute benchmark for the crossing, perfectly capturing the raw, unforgiving, and majestic essence of the Via Alpina.

Record Datasheet:

• Athlete: Frédéric Splendore (Switzerland).
• Performance: Absolute crossing record (Supported FKT).
• Official time: 23 days and 12 hours.
• Route direction: Monaco ➔ Trieste (Italy).
• Daily average: Around 85 km and 4,700 m of D+ per day.
• Key logistics: Mobile support team for strategic crew points, high-efficiency nutrition, specialized gear rotation for technical night sections, and extreme sleep-deprivation monitoring.

Frédéric Splendore – Instagram

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.

Sophie Woods – Instagram