LÜM: The Light That Guides the Maratona dles Dolomites – Enel 2025

In the heart of the South Tyrolean Dolomites, where jagged limestone peaks touch the sky and dawn breaks like a spotlight on nature’s stage, a beacon of athleticism, community, and purpose returns.

On July 6th, 2025, the Maratona dles Dolomites – Enel celebrates its 38th edition under the luminous theme Lüm – Light. More than just a guiding force, light here becomes a symbol of clarity, transformation, and renewal—values echoed in every aspect of this iconic event.

A Symbolic Start Under the Sassongher

Each year, the event begins beneath the glowing silhouette of the Sassongher mountain, its rocky face bathed in the golden hues of sunrise. It’s a quiet yet powerful moment—a reminder that every pedal stroke to come is part of something bigger than sport. This year’s logo captures that moment, carved with rays of sunshine that cut through stone, evoking both strength and transcendence. The final “M” is no mere letter; it is a mountain, a memory, and a mission.

A Global Call to the Saddle

Despite the passing decades, the allure of the Maratona remains electric. For 2025, a staggering 32,700 cyclists from 91 nations vied for just 8,000 places. The final lineup is a perfect balance of homegrown and international riders, all drawn by the chance to ride the legendary closed roads of the Dolomites, free from traffic and full of spirit. With 1,500 volunteers making the magic happen behind the scenes and six hours of live broadcast on Rai2, the event is both a local tradition and a global celebration.

Riding the Light

Three distinct routes offer cyclists the chance to challenge themselves amid landscapes of unparalleled beauty:

• The Maratona Course: 138 km | 4,230 m elevation gain

• The Medium Course: 106 km | 3,130 m elevation gain

• The Sellaronda Course: 55 km | 1,780 m elevation gain

The ride weaves through storied passes—Campolongo, Pordoi, Sella, Gardena, Giau, Falzarego, and Valparola—each a name whispered in cycling folklore. And as summer begins to paint the alpine meadows with color, the ride becomes a moving homage to nature’s grandeur—and a reminder to protect it.

Charity That Illuminates Lives

The Maratona is not just about kilometers and climbs. It’s about compassion. This year, €73,000 raised from charity entries has gone to three powerful causes:

• “Light for Life”, improving healthcare access in Syria, Uganda, and Chad.

• “Shine a Light on the Future”, supporting safe childbirth at Kalongo Hospital in Uganda.

• “The Road Belongs to Everyone”, educating youth on road safety and sustainable travel.

In every case, the theme of light shines through—healing, empowering, and guiding lives far beyond the Dolomites.

The Enervit Connection: Fueling the Spirit

A loyal partner for nearly 30 years, Enervit isn’t just a sponsor—it’s a part of the race’s soul. Their Endurance Team returns to Corvara, sharing the road and spirit with amateur riders and legends alike. Through a new documentary presented by Sky Sport, Enervit’s journey is chronicled alongside the stories of Italian sports icons, showing how science, nutrition, and resilience shape champions—both in sport and in life.

Bike Days: Open Roads, Open Hearts

For those unable to secure a Maratona spot, the Sellaronda Bike Day (June 7 & Sept 13) and the Dolomites Bike Day (June 21) offer non-competitive alternatives. With roads closed to motorised traffic, these events allow cyclists of all ages and abilities to ride freely through Alpine majesty—no bib numbers, no pressure, just pure connection with the road and surroundings.

Lüm is not just a theme—it’s a way of seeing. It’s the light on the Sassongher at sunrise, the glow of hope through charity, and the spark of inspiration in every rider’s eyes. In 2025, the Maratona dles Dolomites – Enel is once again more than a race. It’s a journey into the soul of cycling, guided by light.