Three Days When the Pillerseetal Comes Alive with Trail Running

Last updated on 13.07.2026 | Kitzbüheler Alpen

From 6 to 8 August, the KAT100 by UTMB transforms the Pillerseetal into a gathering place for the international trail running community.

It is Thursday, just before 6 pm. A sudden hush falls over the start line in the centre of Fieberbrunn. Moments later, to sustained applause, the runners set off in the KAT100 by UTMB. For the athletes, it marks the beginning of a 169-kilometre journey through the Kitzbühel Alps. For the Pillerseetal, it signals the start of three days during which everything revolves around trail running.

The excitement is already building across the region in the days leading up to the event. Outside hotels, runners make their final preparations, packing race vests and checking equipment, while the last easy training runs take place on the surrounding trails. In cafés, conversations revolve around the weather forecast, elevation gain and the races ahead. More and more athletes arrive each day, while locals and visitors alike look forward to an unforgettable race weekend.

The opening event is the legendary 100 Miles race, but the KAT100 by UTMB offers much more. Friday and Saturday feature the Endurance Trail (75 km), Marathon Trail (51 km), Speed Trail (24 km) and Easy Trail (8 km). During the Kids Trail, the youngest runners gain their first taste of competition and experience the excitement of trail running up close.

Following the start of the 100 Miles race on Thursday, 6 August, the Thenex Community Run invites everyone to become part of the trail running weekend. Without the pressure of competition, participants enjoy relaxed laps through Fieberbrunn together. Throughout all three event days, the Expo Area in the town centre offers plenty to discover. On Thursday from 7 pm, the Knappenmusikkapelle Fieberbrunn brass band entertains visitors before the race weekend draws to amemorable close on Saturday evening with the awards ceremony, followed by live music from Jabberwalky.

It is not only the races themselves that make the weekend so special. The spectator hotspots along the course are very much part of the experience. Just twenty minutes after the start, the first runners reach the Streuböden mid-station, where large crowds have already gathered to cheer them on.

One of the most popular meeting points is the aid station at the Lärchfilzhochalm. From Thursday evening through to Saturday afternoon, there is almost constant activity. While volunteers hand out drinks and refreshments, spectators enthusiastically cheer on every athlete. An accordion player provides a soundtrack of traditional Tyrolean music, creating a truly unique atmosphere. For many international participants, this is their first experience of authentic Tyrolean hospitality – warm, welcoming and genuine.

Another favourite spectator hotspot is the Wildseelodersee on Saturday morning. From around 8 am, the first Marathon Trail runners reach the mountain lake, followed shortly afterwards by the Speed Trail participants. As more and more trail runners pass through this spectacular alpine landscape, the area around the Wildseelodersee comes alive with excitement throughout the morning.

The finish line in the centre of Fieberbrunn is just as emotional. The first finisher of the 100 Miles race is expected to arrive on Friday afternoon at around 4 pm. With every step towards the finish, the anticipation builds until the winner crosses the line to resounding applause.

But the race is far from over. Throughout Friday night and into Saturday morning, more runners continue to reach the finish line. After many hours out on the trails, every cheer from the crowd, every round of applause and every word of encouragement provides an extra boost of motivation for those final few metres.

The finish area is also well worth visiting on Saturday. From early morning until well into the afternoon, athletes from the various race categories cross the finish line, where they are welcomed by spectators, family and friends. Whether elite competitors or recreational runners, every finisher has their own story to tell, and every achievement is met with genuine admiration and respect.

As part of the UTMB World Series, the KAT100 by UTMB welcomes athletes from countries around the world to the Pillerseetal year after year. Many extend their stay by a few days, taking the opportunity to explore the region’s trails at a more relaxed pace once the race is over. For them, the event becomes more than a competition – it is also a chance to experience everything the Pillerseetal has to offer beyond race weekend.

That the KAT100 is about much more than sporting competition is something Dominik Landertinger knows from personal experience. The biathlon world champion, Olympic medallist and ambassador for the Pillerseetal took part in the event himself for the first time last year.

“Last year, I took part in the KAT100 for the first time myself. Experiencing the event as a runner gives you a completely different perspective. What impressed me most was seeing how many people lined the course, cheering on every single athlete. That’s the kind of atmosphere that stays with you long after the race has finished. Knowing that an event of this scale takes place in my home region, the Pillerseetal, makes me incredibly proud,” says Dominik Landertinger.

The KAT100 by UTMB brings three unforgettable days during which the Pillerseetal shares every emotion with the athletes. It is the countless small moments along the course – an encouraging shout, applause at the finish line or a smile after a long night on the trails – that make this race weekend so special year after year.

The excitement doesn’t end there. On 16 August, the inaugural Waidring KidsRun will celebrate its premiere. Children and young people up to the age of 15 can look forward to a day full of movement, fun and shared achievements, with the emphasis firmly on the joy of running and being active.

For more information about the KAT100 by UTMB, the race categories, spectator hotspots and the supporting programme, visit: https://kat.utmb.world/en