Athletes hike and fly across the Alps, navigating their way up and over the mountains via several set Turnpoints. It's a straightline distance of more than 1,000km but athletes can expect to cover double that during the race. One thing that is fixed: every kilometer must be covered either on foot or by paraglider.

It's a formidable challenge that requires expert paragliding skill, years of mountaineering experience and an extraordinary level of endurance fitness. It's not uncommon for athletes to hike up to 100km in a single day. On top of that athletes must be mentally strong to make good decisions under stress, when they're tired and in difficult situations.

Yes, the Red Bull X-Alps is a race that sees men and women compete equally. To date ten female athletes have competed including the Paragliding World Champions Yael Margelisch and Laurie Genovese who both took part in 2021. Austrian athlete Elisabeth Egger was the first woman to ever reach goal in the 2023 race.

There's no doubt the race is won in the air. Just witness Chrigel Maurer's magic move on day 8 in 2021 when he put 160km between himself and his nearest competitor. But to be in the right place at the right time to get into the air, day after day after day? That requires an incredible level of fitness, strength and mountaineering ability. Maurer is also among the fittest. In 2019, he won the Prologue when it was just a vertical kilometer hike. In a good weather year like 2023, athletes flew most of the distance. But when the weather's bad, athletes have to hike and run. In 2011 the Romanian running legend Toma Coconea managed to come 2nd, despite hiking over 50% of the way.

No! 2023 was a record year, with 23 athletes making it to goal, more than ever before. But on average 28% of competitors make it to the finishing float.

Athletes must carry their paraglider and mandatory equipment at all times. That consists of an emergency reserve parachute, helmet, mobile phone, GPS tracking device, and other safety equipment. Add to that emergency mountain weather clothing, food and water and that equals a rucksack weight of around 7kg that has to be carried at all times. It's a far cry from the early days when athletes' packs weighed more than 20kg.

Yes. In the early days athletes could race non-stop but since 2011, a mandatory rest period was introduced between 11pm and 4am. As of 2023, athletes must stop for a minimum of seven consecutive hours every day between 9pm and 6am. This is defined as Minimum Rest Period.

Yes. Since 2013 athletes have the option of a Night Pass, which lets them hike through the night. It can provide a strategic advantage, but that depends. It can be used to get into a better position for the following day, avoid being eliminated but it comes at the cost of increased fatigue which can reduce performance in the rest of the race.

The answer is simple: no, never – nor any method of traversing other than foot or flight. The race is to be completed via only two methods – moving by foot or by flight. They also can’t use a paramotor! Crampons are still allowed and are mandatory for crossing glaciers. The rules also allow normal snowshoes (not the ones you can actually ski with!) for walking over snow. 

2023 was the first time that a mandatory via ferrata section was introduced to emphasize the adventure character of Red Bull X-Alps. You can find out more about this here.

Every year the route changes. Until 2021 the race always finished in Monaco that year a radical new format was introduced – an out-and-back loop around the Alps, starting in Salzburg, Austria, and finishing in Zell am See, Austria. At 1,288km it was the longest race to date. In 2023 the race did not start in Salzburg but in Kitzbühel-Kirchberg, Austria, for the first time.

The race officially ends 12 days after it has started, giving many athletes the chance to finish. The first athletes usually reach the goal in less time than that.

The best way to follow every beat of the race is via Live Tracking on redbullxalps.com. Thanks to its advanced technology fans won’t miss a second of the race and can follow their favorite athletes. Of course, it is always a blast to watch the action in person. The race start is a great opportunity to cheer on the athletes before they embark on their adventure. Or you can meet them at the Turnpoints, where the atmosphere is unbeatable and the locations are breathtaking. If you want to celebrate with the athletes, then joining them at the goal is a great idea too!