Terchová (Slovakia), Saturday 8 October 2016

Terchová sits on the northern edge of the Malá Fatra mountain range in Slovakia (Copyright © 2016 Hendrik Böttger / runinternational.eu)

 

The Terchovský polmaratón (Terchová Half Marathon) takes runners deep into the Malá Fatra mountain range in the north-western part of Slovakia.

Participants can choose between two highly-scenic and challenging out-and-back road races — the 10k or the half marathon. The 10k includes 130 metres of ascent, the half marathon almost three times as much (370 metres).

Both races begin and end in the centre of the village of Terchová which sits in a beautiful green valley at the foot of the range, about 24km east of Žilina, the fourth-largest city in the country.

The route takes the runners southwards along the Varínka river, through the spectacular Tiesňavy canyon and along the picture-postcard Vrátna dolina (Vrátna Valley), the most popular tourist destination in the Národný park Malá Fatra (Malá Fatra National Park). It also visits the pretty village of Štefanová, which is situated in a side valley of the Vratná dolina.

The turnaround point for half marathon runners is at the cable car station at the foot of Veľký Kriváň (1,709m), the highest peak of the mountain range.

The course is closed to traffic for the time of the race.

Last year, 172 runners from five countries took part in the event. The fastest half marathon finishers were Matej Pechota (1:22:59) and 54-year-old Anna Balošáková (1:38:39).

Held in a region where traditions are kept alive, you may see girls and boys in beautiful folk costumes, and listen to live folk music after the race.

Watch this video to get an impression of what to expect.

 

Country: Slovakia

Venue (Map): Terchová (Žilina 24km, Ostrava 109km, Kraków 175km, Bratislava 225km)

Date: 8 October 2016 (Saturday)

Start time and race distance::

  • 9.30: 770m (children 15 years and under)
  • 10.08: 10km and 21.1km half marathon

Start and finish: at the obecný úrad (municipal office)

Race centre:

  • in the restaurant of the kulturný dom (Friday 16.00-21.30)
  • in the start area (on the day 7.00-9.30)

Entries: online (up to 2 October 2016); late entries on the day (7.00-9.30)

Entry fees (770m): € 1

Entry fees (10km, 21.1km): € 10 (up to 2 October 2016), € 15 (on 8 October 2016)

You get (770m): sweets

You get (10km, 21km): refreshments on the course, finisher medal, goulash and drinks after the race; T-shirt to the first 400 entrants (with payment up to 2 October 2016)

Prizes (10km, 21km): to the first 3 men and 3 women

Number of finishers 2015: 87 (10km), 85 (21km)

Event website: terchovskypolmaraton.sk

 

No guarantee is made as to the accuracy or thoroughness of the information on this page! Please visit the official event website to verify the above information.