Alexander Hutters first participation in the Stubai Ultratrail, in 2017, was an impromptu one. It was an experience he enjoyed so much that he stuck with running and participated in the longer distance, covering 68 km, the following year - without dedicated intensive training. “Back then, my only goal was to reach the finishing line.” Hutter only took up serious, and structured, training for the F7 in 2020. It is easy for him to combine his job as a construction manager with his athletic endeavors. He mostly trains before or after work, and finds time for long sessions on weekends. Sometimes he is able to complete a training unit during his lunch break - as long as it doesn’t include any vertical meters - while in winter he accumulates vertical meters by means of ski touring.

“When I first learned that the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships 2023 Innsbruck-Stubai would be held outside my front door, so to speak, I wasn’t yet aware of the event’s importance. After all, until then there had never been a WC that combined mountain- and trail running. Only after I saw the footage of the first World Championships in Thailand in 2022, I realized what a major event this was going to be. It is a massive chance for the region to become even more renowned, more attractive and more appealing.”

“Trail running is special for me in that it allows me to be active in nature. In addition, it allows me to reach pretty much every corner, as opposed to cycling,” as Hutter says.

“It fills me with joy to think that we will be able to present our trails as well as Tyrol’s natural beauty to athletes from all over the world. We have all the ideal prerequisites for trail running covered.”

Hutter wants to take advantage of the WC being staged in his home region, and above all he wants to enjoy the races. Being able to sleep in his own bed and be in his habitual surroundings is an advantage compared to other races. His anticipation is mounting with every look outside the window - not surprising, given the fact that he is able to see the Stubai leg of the WC route from his house.

He is hoping to be at the starting line for the Trail Long on June 9, which covers 85.6 kilometers in length as well as 5,554 meters in ascent and an additional 5,966 in descent. The WC in Tyrol would be Hutter’s first competition wearing the Austrian national colors. He is planning on getting an early start to the season by participating in the Transgrancanaria on February 25 - his first race as a member of the Brooks Trail Team. “My main goal for the coming season is to remain free of injuries.”

While winning a race is not always the main objective, winning the Stubai Ultratrail at home and finishing on the podium at the Dynafit Trans-Alpine-Run “was definitely momentous!” Looking back at Hutter’s relatively short career, his enormous potential becomes obvious, with his 2022 achievements being in a league of their own. He won the Innsbruck Alpine Trailrun Festival, the Hochkönigman and the Dynafit TransAlpine-Run. In addition, he came eighth at the Mozart 100 and fourth at the Hamperokken Skyrace.

If Alexander Hutter was able to “build” his perfect trail, it would be between 50 and 100 kilometers long and cover an extreme amount of meters in altitude. “My favorite thing is to run up- and downhills, preferably without covering any flat terrain in between.”