Red Bull X-Alps, the world's toughest adventure race is returning July 2, 2017 for its eighth edition. Starting in Salzburg, 32 Athletes of 21 nationalities will race a straight-line distance of 1,138km across the Alps to Monaco via 7 turnpoints in 7 different countries.

Travelling only by foot or paraglider, their every move is monitored by advanced Live Tracking technology and broadcasted to an audience of millions. With constantly changing weather conditions, tactical planning is as important as the extreme endurance required to participate. For this reason, each athlete has a supporter to help with strategy, nutrition and everything in between.

Before the main event, the one-day Leatherman Prologue race takes place in Fuschl am See. The top three finishers will each win an additional Ledlenser Night Pass, allowing them to race through the mandatory rest period. On day two of the main race, the usual 5:00am start will be delayed for each athlete by the time in which they finished the Leatherman prologue race behind the prologue winner.

However, there's only one question on everyone's mind; could 2017 see athletes like Sebastian Huber or Paul Guschlbauer end Maurer's reign as Red Bull X-Alps champion? Only one thing is certain - anything could happen!