About This Race
The KAT100 by UTMB 173K covers a significant portion of the Kitzbühel Alps in western Austria, linking mountain huts and alpine villages across terrain that ranges from forested valley trails to exposed ridgelines. The course demands sustained effort over what becomes, for most runners, an overnight journey through the Tyrolean highlands. This is the second-longest option in the KAT100 event series, designed for runners ready to push beyond the 100-mile threshold without committing to the full 200K distance. Fieberbrunn serves as both start and finish, with the route extending through the distinctive landscape of the Kitzbühel Alps—gentler and more accessible than the high peaks to the south, but still demanding in accumulated distance and vertical. Runners move through mixed forests, alpine meadows, and rocky high-altitude sections where weather can shift rapidly. The race attracts a field experienced in mountain ultras, many using it as preparation for longer UTMB events or as a goal distance in itself. Logistics require crew support or comfort with extended self-sufficiency between aid stations. Night navigation skills are essential, as nearly all finishers will run through darkness. The August timing offers the most stable weather window in these mountains, though alpine conditions remain unpredictable at any time of year.
The 173K route traverses the Kitzbühel Alps from Fieberbrunn, moving through a series of mountain passes and valleys that characterize this region of Tyrol. The terrain alternates between technical singletrack, wider alpine trails, and occasional jeep roads connecting high mountain huts. Sections of the course reach exposed ridgelines where runners encounter rocky, uneven surfaces requiring careful footing.
The route shares many segments with the longer 200K course, providing a comprehensive tour of the region's geography. Runners pass through small mountain communities and alongside traditional alpine farming operations before returning to Fieberbrunn. The mixed terrain includes rooted forest trails at lower elevations and scree sections at higher points, with sustained transitions between altitude zones throughout the distance.
Location
Practical Info
August in the Tyrolean Alps typically brings warm valley temperatures with cooler, variable conditions at elevation. Afternoon thunderstorms are possible, and temperatures can drop significantly at night above 2000 meters.
SZG
Fieberbrunn offers hotels, guesthouses, and vacation rentals suitable for race weekend. Early booking is advisable as the UTMB event series attracts participants and crews. Nearby Kitzbühel provides additional lodging options 15 minutes away.
Best For
Notable Features
As part of the UTMB World Series, the race provides qualifying points and draws an international field familiar with mountain ultra standards. The course offers a thorough exploration of the Kitzbühel Alps, a range less famous than its neighbors but offering distinctive terrain and Tyrolean culture. The overnight format means runners experience the mountains in varied light conditions, adding navigation and psychological dimensions to the physical challenge.