Rosanna started her athletic career as a child doing ice speed skating. After several stints abroad during adolescence and early adulthood she discovered trail running during her years as a student in Innsbruck. After only a few months’ training, she competed in the 2013 Jungfrau Marathon with its close to 2,000 meters in altitude. This was only the start - from here on she continuously pushed her limits.

While her first runs took her to different pastures in and around Innsbruck, the trail runner, who is currently the leading female German athlete in her discipline, is now in search of bigger challenges. In the summer of 2021, for instance, she completed the “Seven Summits” in Stubai - approximately 10,000 meters in altitude and 110 kilometers in distance - in a mere two days.

In the winter season, her training schedule mainly consists of cross-country skiing and ski touring, with additional kilometers covered on her road bike roller trainer. While in summer, her exercise regimen is mainly made up of running, it also includes road cycling and mountain biking. Generally speaking, her and her coach set up the training plans in 4-week-cycles; after each cycle they reflect on performance and potential improvements.

After her first extended stay abroad, which took her to the US while she was still in school, her love for traveling never ceased. Today, Rosanna combines traveling and running; one such case was a trip to Portugal in November 2021 that included her winning the MIUT60 in Madeira. “I love the diversity and the combination of sea and great trail running options but there are also other disciplines that make Portugal ideal, and it is one of my favorite destinations” she says.

At the same time as being a premiere for Rosanna, the first combined World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand saw her competing for Germany, wearing the German Athletics Association’s shirt, for the first time. She scored a top place by finishing fifth among the world’s elite. Being quite an exotic choice for such an event, Chiang Mai was, climatically speaking, a real challenge for many of the athletes. By arriving early, Buchauer managed to acclimatize, and she says it was a real experience to travel that far and compete in the jungle: “It was a real highlight having the chance to experience such a different culture thanks to sports,” she says.

Now, her next goal is to get nominated to compete for the DLV at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships 2023 Innsbruck-Stubai World Mountain and Trail Running Championships 2023 Innsbruck-Stubai and to experience the WC hosted by the city she currently calls home. With the amount of support to be expected along the route, she hopes not to put too much pressure on herself and not to blow expectations out of proportion.

„“Working for Tirol Werbung I am obviously aware of this major event’s importance and I am looking forward to putting Tyrol and its ideal trail running conditions in the international spotlight. These World Championships will offer a great stage, not only for the host regions but also for the athletes.”

Buchauer’s home advantage can’t be denied. The 85.6-kilometer “Trail Long” starts in Neustift im Stubai - practically outside her front door - and leads along the scenic Kalkkögel mountains - one of Buchauer’s favorites - and through Ampass to Innsbruck. The route is informed by a number of technically challenging up- and downhill passages, very much to Buchauer’s liking.

Fotos: © privat, Matterhorn Ultraks, Maurizio Torri, Dynafit, WMTRC 2021 Chiang Mai