Francesco Galanzino

An accomplished ultramarathon runner and free climbing teacher who has finished in top positions in many adventure races around the globe. In 2006, Francesco finished second in both the Sahara Race (Egypt) and the Gobi March (China) as well as third in the Atacama Crossing (Chile). All three events are 250km self-sufficent stage races. He previously finished third in the Raid Tenerè Passion (Niger), fourth in the Verdon Trail Adventure (France), seventh in the Raid Sahara (Mauritania), forty-sixth in the Marathon des Sables and first in the 2005 International Night Raid (France). In Alpinism , he has covered in excess of 100 rock climbing routes TD+/ED in the Italian and French Alps and more than 50 ice-climbing routes TD+. His mountainering expeditions include Parinacote 6,350 meters and Huayna Potosì 6,088 metres (Bolivia, 2003); Spantik Peak 7.021 metres attempt (Pakistan, 2001) and Gorges de Todra, Pilier Cochon (Morocco). Francesco is raising money for the Children of Tibetan Refugees via his particpation in the North Pole Marathon.