31. Tek na Šmarno goro
Tacen (Slovenia), Saturday 2 October 2010
Steep climbs, muddy and rocky terrain, a crazy downhill run, and a field of world-class mountain runners characterize the fifth and final race of the World Mountain Running Grand Prix.
The event takes place on the Šmarna gora hill on the outskirts of Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital city.
Šmarna gora has two peaks. At first, competitors run up to the top of Grmada (676m), then half way down the hill, and finally up to the monastery on the summit of Šmarna gora (669m).
The 10-kilometre route (until last year it was 9k) goes almost entirely through the forest. Overall, the race features 710 metres of ascent and 350 metres of descent.
The tricky bit is the 2-kilometre-long downhill section, where top runners fly at neck-breaking speed down the hill, seemingly ignoring all the slippery roots and rocks on the course.
At the finish, all participants are awarded with a warm meal. Weather permitting, the views from Šmarna gora are beautiful.
In 2009, the winners were Antonio Toninelli of Italy (40:03) and Andrea Mayr of Austria (45:41).
Race report and photos: 2010, 2009
Country: Slovenia
Venue (Map): Tacen (Ljubljana city centre 9km, Ljubljana airport 19km)
Date: 2 October 2010 (Saturday)
Race distance: 10km (+710m, -350m); children 0.65km/2.5km
Start: 10.00 at the sports park Rocen in Tacen
Finish: on the top of Šmarna gora (669m)
Entries: on the day at the start (8.00-9.30)
Entry fees: 10 EUR; juniors and children 5 EUR
You get: T-shirt, transport of personal clothing to the finish, timing chip rental, a warm meal at the finish, finisher photo
Prizes: prize money to the first 13 men and 8 women, trophies to the winners of each category, medals to the first 3 of each category
Award ceremony: 12.30 on Šmarna gora
Number of finishers 2009: 154 (9km), 11 (2.5km), 61 (650m)
Event website (in Slovene and English): www.smarnagora.com
No guarantee is made as to the accuracy or thoroughness of the information on this page.
