9. Tek na Bazo 20
9th Race to Base 20
This short mountain race with an elevation gain of 400 metres over a 6 kilometre route takes you into the Kočevski Rog, a remote protected nature area of pristine forests where you might encounter the odd wolf or bear.
The race starts off in the small village of Podturn near Dolenjske Toplice, the oldest spa town in Slovenia. You run all the way on an asphalt road through the forest. The road offers a nice gradual climb and a fast 300m sprint finish. For the time of the race, the road is closed to traffic.
The finish is at Baza 20, the political headquarters of the Communist-led resistance movement during World War Two. From April 1943 to December 1944, up to 180 people, including the Yugoslav Partisan leadership under the command of Marshal Tito, lived here well hidden and camouflaged, building bunkers, workshops, schools and hospitals. Twenty-six buildings and huts can still be seen.
A bike race and a walk to Baza 20 are held in the morning before the running event.
In 2009, the winners were Matej Samide (27:16) and Vesna Hedžet (34:36).
Country: Slovenia
Venue: Podturn, near Dolenjske Toplice (Novo Mesto 15km, Ljubljana 67km, Zagreb 90km)
Date: 18 July 2010 (Sunday)
Distance: 6km (+400m)
Start: 11.00 in Podturn; 9.00 bike race; 10.30 walk
Finish: Baza 20 (at an elevation of 600m)
Entries: on the day at the forestry commission in Podturn (until 15 minutes before the start)
Entry fees: 8 EUR, 5 EUR for children 15 years and under
You get: transport of personal clothing to the finish, a warm meal after the race
Prizes: trophies to the first 3 M/F; medals to the first 3 in the categories
Number of finishers 2009: 132 runners
Event website (in Slovene): Društvo K2M
Tourist information (in English): Baza 20, Dolenjske Toplice, Terme Dolenjske Toplice
