Saturday 7 October 2023

Tek na Šmarno goro - Šmarna gora Race - the downhill section (Copyright © 2016 Hendrik Böttger / runinternational.eu)

 

Held on the wooded Šmarna gora hill in the north-western part of Slovenia's capital Ljubljana, the Šmarna gora Race (Slovene: Tek na Šmarno goro) is one of the world's most prestigious mountain running events.

It is a WMRA Mountain Running World Cup race and has attracted many of the best mountain runners on the globe.

But you don't need to be an elite runner to take part in the event. The Šmarna gora race is open to all athletes aged 20 years or over.

However, you should be reasonably fit as the course is very challenging.

Starting in the village of Tacen at the foot of the hill, the route is 10km long. It features 705m of ascent and 350m of descent, partly on narrow and technical forest trails. Be prepared for many slippery rocks and tree roots!

Roughly speaking, the route goes approximately 400 metres up, then 300 metres down, and then 300 metres up again.

The finish line is at the monastery which stands on the summit of Šmarna gora and which offers, weather permitting, excellent views of the Alps and of the Ljubljana basin.

 

Šmarna gora Race 2009 - David Schneider of Switzerland and Jonathan Wyatt of New Zealand (Copyright © 2014 Hendrik Böttger / runinternational.eu)

 

Map of the venue (blue: start; red: finish):

 

44. Tek na Šmarno goro:

Date:

  • 7 October 2023 (Saturday)

Event website:

 

Number of finishers:

  • 2022: 90 (67 men and 23 women)
  • 2021: 67 (51 men and 16 women)
  • 2020: 78 (59 men and 19 women)
  • 2019: 162 (127 men and 35 women)
  • 2018: 133 (111 men and 22 women)
  • 2017: 124 (101 men and 23 women)
  • 2016: 108 (89 men and 19 women)

 

Archive:

Race information:

Race report and photos:

 

No guarantee is made as to the accuracy or thoroughness of the information on this page.