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KIRIAGO CRUSHES RECORD TO WIN MEN’S WORLD CUP AND CHEBET CLINCHES WOMEN’S RACE AT SMARNA GORA

Written by Kirsty Reade on . Posted in Latest News, Latest News - Feature Home Slide, World Cup.

KIRIAGO CRUSHES RECORD TO WIN MEN’S WORLD CUP AND CHEBET CLINCHES WOMEN’S RACE AT SMARNA GORA

It’s hard to imagine a more fitting race to conclude the World Cup than Smarna Gora. The final stage, a classic up and downhill race, of this year’s competition took place on a course with a deep history of mountain running where we’ve seen many epic duels in the World Cup over the years. And with everything to play for in the World Cup competition, we knew we were going to see some intense racing!

From its finish by a church dating back to the early 1700s to the views of the Kamnik and Julian Alps and a local community who really embrace this race and its runners, it’s a unique race experience from the top elite to the back of the mass field. Starting in Rocen and then ascending 705m and descending 350m over the course of 10k, this is a course with some fast terrain but also with some deceptively technical parts.

With his third place in yesterday’s Velika Planina Philemon Ombogo Kiriago (Run2gether) pulled ahead of Paul Machoka (Run2gether) to take the lead in the men’s World Cup by just 10 points, setting up an enticing men’s competition today. With a DNF yesterday Valentine Jepkoech Rutto (Atletica Saluzzo) could no longer catch Scout Adkin, who wasn’t able to run here due to injury but will win the women’s World Cup. But there was still a huge amount of potential for shaking up the rest of the women’s competition.

THE WOMEN’S RACE

While the 2025 women’s World Cup winner was already decided, there was no let-up in the racing. Important points were up for grabs and we had a fascinating field, ranging from Andrea Mayr, record holder here, who has recorded six of the eight fastest women’s times, to exciting younger athletes like Nelie Clement (Gap Hautes Alpes Athletisme) and Courtney Coppinger (Brooks), racing here for the first time.

After yesterday’s DNF it was uncertain how Rutto would do here at Smarna Gora, but normal service was resumed as she and Glora Chebet (Run2gether) led it out for the women. Along with them were Coppinger and, a few seconds back, Mayr, continually pushing each other. Elle Twentyman, another breakout star of this year’s World Cup, and Clement were 30 seconds back and not letting them get away.

After 6km Chebet was still leading, but Rutto was still holding on to her and the gap remained at around 20 seconds. By this point Coppinger and Rutto were running neck-and-neck and they had opened more of a gap on Mayr. But you can never discount Mayr, whose consistency over the last 20 years has been nothing short of astounding.

Eventually Chebet could not be caught and she stretched out her lead in the final kilometres, taking the win in 49.55. Rutto held off Coppinger, taking second in 51.02, with Coppinger 7 seconds behind. Mayr never stopped pushing and took fourth.

Women’s top 5

  1. Gloria Chebet (Kenya) – 49.55
  2. Valentine Rutto (Kenya) – 51.02
  3. Courtney Coppinger (USA) – 51.09
  4. Andrea Mayr (Austria) – 51.49
  5. Elle Twentyman (Great Britain) – 52.00

THE MEN’S RACE

 It was no surprise to see a trio of Run2gether athletes taking it out from the start. Josphat Kiprotich initially took command, with Kiriago and Richard Omaya Atuya, yesterday’s men’s winner, right on his heels. They opened a gap of 30 seconds to Machoka, who was desperate to secure those all-important points he needed to take the men’s World Cup. 10 seconds further back Michael Selelo Saoli (Run2gether) and Mwangi Ephantus Njeri (Run2gether) were also in the mix, with Lorenzo Cagnati (La Sportiva) also keeping pace.

Kiprotich kept the lead but never succeeded in shaking Kiriago, who looked ominously comfortable despite the relentless pace. Atuya also looked focussed and was holding off Machoka, though never really extending the gap and now Saoli was starting to challenge. And the splits were indicating that the course record may well go!

Kiriago finally made his move, overtaking teammate Kiprotich, and attempting to put some daylight between them. He could not be caught and he took the win, knocking a big chunk off the course record, lowering it to 40.47 (from 41.30, set by Atuya just last year). Kiprotich held on to take second in 40.55 and Atuya took third in 41.07. All three were under the course record, showing what a fierce competition it was.

Men’s top 5

  1. Philemon Ombogo Kiriago (Kenya) – 40.47
  2. Josphat Kiprotich (Kenya) – 40.55
  3. Richard Omaya Atuya (Kenya) – 41.07
  4. Paul Machoka (Kenya) – 41.59
  5. Michael Selelo Saoli (Kenya) – 42.12

WORLD CUP FINAL STANDINGS

In the women’s World Cup Scout Adkin executed a pretty perfect season, taking part in nine events, winning three, coming second in five and fifth in one. Adkin takes the women’s World Cup for the second year in a row. Valentine Jepkoech Rutto takes second place overall and Gloria Chebet’s win today means that she overtakes Joyce Muthoni Njeru to take third overall.

The men’s World Cup was all change on finals weekend. Coming into the weekend Paul Machoka led, with Kiriago trailing by 25 points. But that flipped following Velika Planina and Kiriago took the lead by just ten points. Kiriago’s win today secured the men’s World Cup title, with Machoka having to settle for the runner-up position. Saoli finished in third place in the men’s competition, holding off Atuya by just three points.

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WORLD CUP REACHES THRILLING CLIMAX IN SLOVENIAN DOUBLE-HEADER

Written by Kirsty Reade on . Posted in Latest News, Latest News - Feature Home Slide, World Cup.

WORLD CUP REACHES THRILLING CLIMAX IN SLOVENIAN DOUBLE-HEADER

After 13 gruelling stages across three continents and four months of high-octane competition, the World Cup reaches its dramatic finale this weekend. And where better to crown this year’s champions than the iconic slopes of Smarna Gora – a venue rich in mountain running history and prestige?

Slovenia takes centre stage for this ultimate showdown, hosting a blockbuster of a mountain running weekend that promises edge-of-the-seat racing. The action kicks off at Velika Planina in Kamnik on Saturday, August 23rd, with one last lung-busting classic uphill race. Then, all eyes turn to Smarna Gora on Sunday for the grand finale – a classic up-and-downhill race to decide the World Cup’s ultimate victors.

Velika Planina follows a course used in the 2010 World Mountain Running Championships and the 2017 European Off-Road Championships. This very route is set to host the European Off-Road Running Championships in June 2026, so it will not only be a testing route for the World Cup competitors, but it will also provide a dress rehearsal for some of the athletes targeting the championship next year. It’s an 8.5km course with 1280m of ascent, starting at Stahovica and finishing at Gradišče.

The following day the World Cup heads 20km away to Ljubljana, the scene of many World Cup competitions over the years, and a race with a deep mountain running history. Smarna Gora began in 1979 and it is an absolute ‘must-do’ in the race calendar. In 2020 it was voted the greatest mountain race of all time by the public, in a poll by WMRA. Smarna Gora might not take place in the high mountains, like some of the other World Cup races, but it packs a punch into its 10km with 705m of ascent and 350m of descent.

Both races showcase the best of Slovenian running and culture. Velika Planina is a race of alpine scenery, forests and meadows and it offers panoramic views of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. It is also home to one of Europe’s few remaining high-mountain shepherd’s villages, with oval huts with spruce shingles. They bring their cattle down to graze on the plateau in what is a centuries-old tradition.

Smarna Gora Race takes place on a famous hill in the area which boasts a Baroque church dating back to 1711. The church bells, a hallmark of Slovenian tradition known as “pritrkovanje,” will ring out on Sunday, welcoming the runners. And as they take on this stunning, and, in places, technical route, they will enjoy views of the Kamnik and Julian Alps. There is a particularly strong community spirit around this event, with a long history of local people maintaining its traditions, while also embracing innovations in the sport.

Top fields are assembled in both the men’s and women’s races. Five out of the top 10 women in the World Cup rankings will be on the start line of both races, and nine out of the top 10 men will be in action over the weekend.

THE WOMEN’S RACE

Scout Adkin (HOKA EU) leads the women’s field at the moment, incredibly finishing either first or second at all but one race she has run in this year’s World Cup. Unfortunately she is not able to race this weekend due to an injury she picked up at the British uphill trial race for next month’s World Championships. Her closest rival, Valentine Jepkoech Rutto (Atletica Saluzzo), will run both races, and she has proven herself to be as adept at different types of race as Adkin, if not quite as consistent.

Gloria Chebet (Run2Gether), another consistent performer, is currently in fifth place in the World Cup standings, but good results here could see her jump up in the absence of Joyce Muthoni Njeru and Philaries Jeruto Kisang. It will be really exciting to see how Nelie Clement (Gap Hautes Alpes Athletisme) fares, after that breakthrough performance at Vauban, where she won the classic up and downhill race and finished third at the classic uphill race. Aged just 22 she has definitely been one of the rising stars of this year’s World Cup.

Andrea Mayr (Hoolirun) has continued to prove that she is still performing at the top level this season and she will no doubt be one of the athletes to set the pace. Elle Twentyman (England Athletics) is currently lying in eighth place in the World Cup standings, just behind Mayr, and will also race both events. Kirsty Dickson (Carnethy Hill Running Club) comes to the race straight off winning the British uphill trial for the World Championships, so could be one to watch, particularly in the classic uphill race.

Susanna Saapunki (On Running) will run Smarna Gora Race, off the back of her recent top 10 finish at Sierre Zinal. She has a strong record at Smarna Gora, having done the double here, winning the Race and the Record in 2023 and finishing fourth in the Race last year. Alice Gaggi (Brooks), another formidable competitor, will also toe the line at Smarna Gora.

Legendary locals, Lucija Krkoc (ŠD Nanos) and Nuša Mali (AD Kronos), also have strong track records here and will be expected to feature highly. There will also be a strong, young contingent from the USA including Courtney Coppinger (Brooks) and Kyla Christopher-Moody, who will be interesting to watch.

THE MEN’S RACE

 Paul Machoka (Atletica Saluzzo) leads the men’s World Cup and has taken part in all of the races apart from Broken Arrow, achieving incredibly consistent results. But he could be caught by Philemon Ombogo Kiriago (Run2Gether), who, like Machoka, will run both races. Michael Selelo Saoli and Richard Omaya Atuya (both Run2Gether), who we’ve seen in some epic duels with each other and with Machoka this year, are currently third and fourth in the World Cup and still have a podium place to battle for. These three athletes made up the Smarna Gora Race podium last year.

But the main threat to them may come in the form of Patrick Kipngeno (Run2Gether), who we haven’t seen as much in the World Cup this year, but he had an extremely strong run to take second in Sierre Zinal two weeks ago. Equally, Run2Gether team mate Josphat Kiprotich could also be a danger. Lengen Lolkurraru (PegaKenya) is also back, after coming second here in 2022 and it will be interesting to see what he can produce on his return.

The European challengers for the men include Andrea Rostan (La Sportiva/Atletica Saluzzo), Andrea Elia (Topo Athletics) and Henri Aymonod (The North Face), all of whom are running both races. Alberto Vender (New Balance) will take part in just the Smarna Gora Race, having achieved sixth place last year. Jacob Adkin (New Balance) is continuing his return to top competition, as we saw at Vauban, and could do well be one to watch this weekend.

Local former winner Timotej Bečan (tekači) will know how to race this better than most, and his teammates Luka Kovačič and Klemen Španring have had good success at the Smarna Gora Record. As with the women’s race, a strong team of American runners are making the journey to race in Slovenia, including Andy Wacker and Jeret Gillingham.

FOLLOWING THE WORLD CUP ACTION

We will bring you all the action from the weekend’s racing, as we crown our 2025 World Cup champions. Follow live on YouTube and via our social media channels.

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Saapunki and Costa Win at Smarna Gora

Written by Hector Rubio on . Posted in Latest News.

This weekend the Valsir Mountain Running World Cup returned to a familiar venue for its next Silver Label event. Voted the Greatest Mountain Race of All Time in a WMRA poll in 2020, Smarna Gora is an event that never fails to provide great racing on a stunning course.

The weekend kicked off on Friday evening with the warm-up event of the Smarna Gora Record, an associate member partner race for the World Cup. This short, sharp race of 1.85k with 360m of ascent always gives us an exciting start to proceedings and this year was no exception. Susanna Saapunki (FIN) won the women’s race in 13.06 and Luka Kovacic (SLO) took the win for the men (see top three results below). With a lot of athletes doubling up, would we see the same runners on the podium the following day?

Conditions for Smarna Gora Race were perfect, with Saturday dawning cool but sunny and clear. Temperatures would heat up during the morning, but not enough to create issues for the runners, who would take on the 10k route with 710m of ascent and 350m of descent. Ahead of them was an initial climb to the summit of Grmada at the 4k mark, followed by a 2k descent before a final climb which spirals around the mountain to reach the summit finish at Gostilna Ledinek Inn.

On the start line were two athletes riding high in the World Cup standings, who stood to gain some important points here. Remi Leroux (CAN), after a successful summer in Europe, had 138 points and was just two points off third place in the men’s competition. Susanna Saapunki (FIN) stood on 117 points and in sixth place.

In the women’s race it was a repeat of the previous evening’s Smarna Gora Record, with Saapunki leading it out from the start. After the climb to the first summit she had opened up a lead of about a minute on second placed Varineja Drasler (SLO) and she proceeded to add to this on the ascent up to the finish, eventually winning in 49.41. Drasler held onto second, finishing in 52.21, with Nusa Mali (SLO) completing the podium in 53.20.

The men’s race was much closer with Isacco Costa (ITA), Lengen Lolkurraru (KEN), Remi Leroux (CAN), Timotej Becan (SLO) and Michael Galassi (ITA) changing positions throughout. It was lastCosta and Lolkurraru credit Jonathan Wyatt year’s winner, Becan, who led initially but in the latter stages it was Costa who managed to break away and he took the win in 43.13, just eight seconds ahead of Lolkurraru in second. Leroux completed the podium ten seconds behind him in 43.31, securing some useful World Cup points in the process.

Results

Smarna Gora Record

Women

  1. Susanna Saapunki (FIN) – 13.06
  2. Tea Faber (CRO) – 15.13
  3. Sara Bilban (SLO) – 16.03

Men

  1. Luka Kovacic (SLO) – 11.12
  2. Remi Leroux (CAN) – 11.24
  3. Klemen Spanring (SLO) – 11.25

Records are 12.36 for the women (set by Andrea Mayr in 2022) and 10.59 for the men (Filimon Abraham, 2020).

Smarna Gora Race

Women

  1. Susanna Saapunki (FIN) – 49.41
  2. Varineja Drasler (SLO) – 52.21
  3. Nusa Mali (SLO) – 53.20
  4. Adela Vetcha (CZE) – 54.07
  5. Dominika Zupancic (SLO) – 55.30

Men

  1. Isacco Costa (ITA) – 43.13
  2. Lengen Lolkurraru (KEN) – 43.21
  3. Remi Leroux (CAN) – 43.31
  4. Timotej Becan (SLO) – 43.44
  5. Michael Galassi (ITA) – 43.49

Records are 47.50 for the women (set by Andrea Mayr in 2017) and 41.32 for the men (Alex Baldaccini in a photo finish with Azerya Taklay with both athletes recording the same time in 2012).

See full results here: TIMING Ljubljana

Saapunki win credit Nancy Hobbs 

Current World Cup standings

With the points removed from runners who have done more than six races it’s Joyce Muthoni Njeru (KEN) and Philemon Kiriago (KEN) who lead, with 280 and 250 points respectively. For the women Philaries Kisang (KEN) is second with 195 points, Andrea Mayr (AUT) with 190, Lucy Murigi (KEN) with 160 and Scout Adkin (GBR) just behind with 156. But Saapunki has closed the gap here, as she is now on 137 points. For the men Patrick Kipngeno (KEN) is just behind Kiriago with 230 points, but Leroux’s 14 points gained here means that he now leapfrogs Joe Steward (GBR), who has 140 points, to take third position with 152 points, with Andrea Rostan (ITA) behind Steward with 106. See full results and standings here: World_Cup_Results.pdf (wmra.info)

Next race

Next up it’s the final three races in this year’s World Cup at Sky Gran Canaria:

13th October Vertical Uphill race (6.6k, +947m)

14th October Long Mountain Race (35k, +2736m)

15th October Classic Mountain race (21k, +740m/-1970m)

With so many points available here, it will be an exciting finale to the 2023 World Cup. We will be bringing you a preview of the races in the next few days.

Countdown to Smarna Gora Race

Written by Hector Rubio on . Posted in Latest News.

Our next Valsir Mountain Running World Cup race is the Smarna Gora Race on 7th October. This is a silver label event, which is our next classic mountain race and it’s a race steeped in history.

For over 40 years the Smarna Gora Race has provided the setting for some incredibly competitive racing. In 2020 it was voted the Greatest Mountain Race of All Time in a WMRA poll and it has been included as a World Cup race more than 20 times.

The race takes place on the outskirts of the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana. It may not be in the high mountains – the highest summit, Grmada, stands at just 676m above sea level and less than 400m above the city below – but the area is stunning and perfect for running.

The event starts on Friday night (6th October) with the Smarna Gora Record, an associate member partner race for the World Cup. This is a fast and furious race of 1.85kSG record elevation with 360m of ascent, taking the most direct route from the start in Tacen to the top of the hill. The records for this race are 12.36 for the women (set by Andrea Mayr in 2022) and 10.59 for the men (Filimon Abraham, 2020).

Then the following day it’s the Smarna Gora Race. At 10k with 710m+ and 350m-, the course is a blend of tough climbs, fast running and technical trails. The summit of Grmada is reached first, just after the 4 kilometre mark, before a 2 kilometre descent brings the runners back down to begin the final climb, spiraling anti-clockwise around the mountain to finish outside the Gostilna Ledinek inn at the summit.

Andrea Mayr holds the record for the women, 47:50 set in 2017 in the fastest of her 7 wins (the first of which was in 2008). The men’s record is from 2012, when Alex Baldaccini just pipped Azerya Teklay in a photo finish, with both athletes recording 41:32. This year, as ever, there are some strong contenders.

SG race elevation

 In the women’s race Susanna Saapunki (FIN), who is currently lying in 6th place in the women’s World Cup standings after strong results at La Montee du Nid d’Aigle and Vertical Nasego and a win at Primiero Dolomiti Trail last weekend, is a favourite, but she will face strong competition from hotly tipped Adela Vetcha (CZE), Lydia Van Vleet (USA) and some strong Slovenian athletes.

Tek na Smarno goro 2022 1068 webFor the men, Remi Leroux (CAN) is having a great season, with second places at the Canfranc vertical uphill race and Montemuro Vertical Run, and will be among the favourites. He is currently sitting in fourth place in the men’s World Cup standings with 138 points. Liam Meirow (USA) could be one to watch, as could Lengen Lolkurraru (KEN). There are some strong Italian runners too, including Michael Galassi and Isaaco Costa, and last year’s winner, Timotej Becan (SLO), can’t be discounted.

There is a financial incentive for breaking the current course record: €250 plus €10 for every second under the old record. The race website features a search engine with full results of both the Record and Šmarna Gora races, searchable by year, nationality, gender, position.

 

Current World Cup standings

With the points removed from runners who have done more than six races it’s Joyce Muthoni Njeru (KEN) and Philemon Kiriago (KEN) who lead, with 280 and 250 points respectively. For the women Philaries Kisang (KEN) is second with 195 points, Andrea Mayr (AUT) with 190, Lucy Murigi (KEN) with 160 and Scout Adkin (GBR) just behind with 156. For the men Patrick Kipngeno (KEN) is just behind Kiriago with 230 points, then Joe Steward (GBR) is third with 140, then Remi Leroux (CAN) with 138 and Andrea Rostan (ITA) with 106. It’s going to be an exciting final few races here at Smarna Gora and then at Gran Canaria. See full results and standings here: World_Cup_Results.pdf (wmra.info)

Follow the race

Smarna Gora Record starts at 4.50pm (women) and 5.10pm (men) on Friday 6th October

Smarna Gora Race starts at 10.10am (men and women) on Saturday 7th October.

Live tracking will be available at //www.youtube.com/@timingljubljana6770“>Timing Ljubljana – YouTube

WMRA Instagram

WMRA Facebook

New Smarna gora Record record!

Written by Tomo Sarf on . Posted in Latest News.

On Friday afternoon, the first leg of the ‘Smarna gora running weekend’ was held on the slopes of ‘the most visited mountain in Slovenia’. It was the so called ‘Smarna gora RECORD’ where the runners take the shortest way from the foothill to the summit. 1,85km, 360m to climb. Short, but steep and tough.

The men’s course record was 11:08, set in 2017 by Petro Mamu and everybody was anxious – is it possible to compete the course faster than 11 minutes? Now we know the answer: YES, it is!

Some really strong international class runners collected on the start line. Sunny 18°C the weather conditions were ideal for the runners, the course was dry, so all the mountain running experts expected a direct attack on the record time. Later winner, Abraham Filimon, was in the lead more or less the whole time, he had a short crisis at the ¾ of the race, but recovered just after a short flat-ish section. Smarna gora is not new for him – he ran the Smarna gora race in 2017-18-19, placing every time in top five, in 2019 even in the second position. His 10:59 is a historical result. Second place for French runner Sylvian Cachard – his first time at Smarna gora, but he arrived the day before to test the course and this helped him. With 11:02 he set the second fastest time on the course. Local runner with international experience, Timotej BE?AN, improved his Slovenian course record by one second to 11:12.

The women’s race was not quite as exiting. Mojca Koligar was the clear favorite and she did not disappoint her fans. She was attacking the women’s record that is still in the hands of Mateja Kosovelj (13:08 from 2006), but she did not get closer than 14:28. Drašler Varineja finished second and Polish Dominika Stelmach completed the podium.

The race was held under special circumstances – strictly respecting the Corona regulations. All the segments of the evet, like entries, start procedure, finish arrangement and award ceremony were organized according to the recommendations of the national health institute.

Today, the runners will attack the 10km long ’41st Šmarna gora race’, voted WMRA greatest race all time.

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Smarna Gora Ready To Host Race For 41st Time!

Written by Tomo Sarf on . Posted in Latest News.

After days and weeks of the uncertain situation when it was not clear if the Smarna gora Race would get the final go-ahead, now, just one day before the BIG DAY, we can say YES! We have lift off!

So tomorrow we can expect another battle on the slopes of Smarna gora.

Despite the current difficult situation, some top international runners will take part, like Dominika Stelmach from Poland, Sylvian Cachard and Alexandre Fine from France, Filimon Abraham from Germany and Cesare Maestri and Isaco Costa from Italy.

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On the other hand, Slovenian top runners are not missing the opportunity to participate in the National Mountain Running Championships and also the only top mountain running event in Slovenia this season. Timotej Becan will have hard job repeating his 3th place fromm last year and our evergreen Miran Cvet will for sure do his best to split the international field. Mojca Koligar will surely fight with Dominika for the top position…

The organizers will do their best to confirm the “WMRA Greatest race all time” title!

Find out more about this year’s Smarna gora race HERE 

Šmarna Gora Races 2020

Written by Tomo Sarf on . Posted in Latest News.

 We announced at the start of September that the 25th Smarna Gora Record and the 41st Smarna Gora Race would be taking place on Friday 9th October and Saturday 10th October. We are happy to say that these events are still going ahead as planned and the organisers have made a further announcement about the Covid situation in Slovenia (see below).

Interested runners shall contact the local organising committee to agree their participation. They can find the details on the updated web page:   http://smarnogorski-teki.smarnogorska-naveza.si/
The organisers will offer special, stimulating arrangements to the runners who will participate both races. Smarna gora race hosted 18 the final race of the World Cup and in 2020 it was declared as “WMRA Greatest race all times”, which could be understood as the highest international recognition for the organisers.

COVID situation – 29. Sept. 2020

Please note:

“People who comes to Slovenia from an EU Member State or a Member State of the Schengen area, which is included in the green and orange list, may enter Slovenia list without quarantine and a negative COVID test.”

https://www.gov.si/teme/koronavirus-sars-cov-2/prehajanje-meja/

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Šmarna gora Races 2020

The year 2020 was undoubtedly marked by the Covid19 virus. In March, the world began to turn a little differently. Thus, the implementation of running events in October will take place according to a customized
program.

In August, the organizers submitted a proposal for measures to the National Health Institute, which was approved. The confirmation was undoubtedly significantly influenced by the assurance that we will adapt the measures to the current situation, which may still change significantly between now and the day of the event.

In both events, the Friday Record and the Saturday Run, we will take into account the recommendations and requirements of the profession as much as possible. All phases of both events will take place according to a customized program – registration, start, the course, finish and of course the announcement of results. We will provide the necessary quantities of appropriate masks and disinfectants for hands and work surfaces, and we will manage the events in such a
way as to prevent physical contact and contact as much as possible. As we defined in the study, we will adjust the specific conditions to the currently valid rules.

The organisers

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Announcing The 41st Smarna Gora Race

Written by Tomo Sarf on . Posted in Latest News.

The organizers are happy to announce that the 41st edition of the Smarna Gora Race will be held on Saturday, October 10th 2020 in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

 After a period when the organization of any kind of sporting event was not possible in Slovenia due to the unpredictable Covid-19 situation, the traditional mountain running race has got the green light from the authorities to host the event.

Because the Smarna Gora Record was delayed in June, there will now 2 races in October:

– on Friday, 9th October, in the afternoon the 25th Šmarna gora Record (1,8km; +360m) will take place. This is a very short uphill race, with a course record of 11:08
– the traditional 41st Šmarna gora Race will take place on Saturday 10th October, starting at 10:10.

International class runners are welcome, of course respecting the Covid-19 restrictions. Only runners from so called ‘green’ countries are allowed to enter Slovenia without any limitations (see link to the web page at the bottom of the article for more information).

As in the past, interested runners should contact the local organising committee to agree their participation. They can find the details on the updated web page. 

The organizer will offer special, exciting arrangements to the runners who participate in both races.

Smarna Gora Race has hosted the final race of the World Cup 18 times. In 2020 it was declared the “WMRA Greatest race of all time”, which is the highest international recognition for the organizers.

 You can find the details of the ‘green countries’ HERE and on the map below. 

map

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With Thanks from K42 Argentina and Smarna Gora

Written by Tomo Sarf on . Posted in Latest News.

 Our public vote to find your greatest mountain race of all time concluded this week, with Smarna Gora crowned winner, beating the race you voted long distance champion, K42 Argentina. We hope that our contest, while just for fun, has helped to celebrate the many incredible mountain races which exist in the world. All different, all unique in their own way.

Our finalists, K42 Argentina and Smarna Gora, were blown away by your support and both wanted to say something to the voters and to the other races which were in the contest. Here are their kind words.

Firstly, from the runner-up, K42 Argentina:

Dear Organizers,

Public voting put us in the final of the Greatest Race of All Time and we feel really happy about that!

I know perfectly well that this is the result of the passion of our audience and does not necessarily represent an objective comparison that makes us better than the rest of those who have participated in this fantastic WMRA initiative, therefore, and we try to accept it with the greatest humility and respect. Therefore, we try to accept it we the upmost respect and humbleness.

I want to express to you that, myself and the rest of our team, have been inspired by you during all these years. We have tried to take the best of each race; we have admired the excellence of all of you and we will continue doing it beyond this circumstance.

We send you a warm hug from Argentinian Patagonia and we hope that this contest unites our interests and projects to continue growing together!

Diego Zarba, K42

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And from Smarna Gora:

Dear Mountain Running friends,

Public voting is a strange thing. It is like a wild river, unpredictable, unmanageable.

And in this game of the votes Smarna gora has shown its true nature, that has been developed during the four decades of the race.

We are completely aware that Smarna gora cannot be compared to the beautiful scenery of the Drei Zinnen or Grossglockner, to the extremes of Sierre Zinal, to the mass participation of some other races, or to the budget of the others.

Smarna gora is not even a mountain, with 669m it is just a hill, the trails are narrow and space on the summit is very limited, so we can simply not organize a mass event. But it is the most visited peak in Slovenia, in a county where mountaineering and hiking and recently mountain running are a kind of national sport.

After 40 years of the race and after hosting 18 years the World Cup final and 25 years of the Slovenian Cup final, we were determined to fight for the first ever title “the greatest”. We have activated hundreds of fans of mountain running and Smarna gora in Slovenia and abroad.

And we were successful.

We know that our race is not “the best” on the world, simply because the criteria for this are not defined. We are just the winners of the WMRA contest for the “greatest mountain race all times”.

Finally, on behalf of the Smarna gora team, I would like to thanks all the people, who participated in this “voting game”, of course especially to the ones, who supported our race in all four circles of voting.

I would also like to congratulate all the race contenders; I’m sure any of those 24 races would deserve to be a winner.

Tomo Šarf, on behalf of the Smarna gora team

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And The Winner Is…

Written by Tomo Sarf on . Posted in Latest News.

Over the past few weeks thousands of you have voted for your favourite mountain races in our quest to find your ‘greatest mountain race of all time’. We can now exclusively reveal that the race you chose as your winner is … Smarna Gora!

Smarna Gora in Slovenia proved a highly popular race at all stages of the competition. Its long history, the calibre of runners it has attracted over the years, its welcoming atmosphere and the fact that it remains close to its roots as a pure, unspoilt mountain race all contributed to its popularity. Congratulations Smarna Gora!

So how did we get down to our winner? We started off with 10 long distance races and 12 classic distance races. These were:

Long distance: Mount Fuji Ascent, Sierre Zinal, Three Peaks Race, Kepler Challenge 60k, Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon, Giir Di Mont, Canfranc Canfranc, Jungfrau Marathon, Pikes Peak Marathon, K42 Argentina.

Classic distance: La Montee Grand Ballon, Snowdon International, Hochfelln Berglauf, Smarna Gora, Challenge Stellin, Kitzbuhel Hornlauf, Skala Opp, Drei Zinnen, Mount Washington Road Race, Grossglockner Berglauf, Schlickeralm Lauf, Trofeo Vanoni.

You voted for your favourite races amongst this original list and the most popular 4 from each group went through to the quarter final stage. These were: Sierre Zinal, K42 Argentina, Canfranc Canfranc and Three Peaks Race from the long distance races and Smarna Gora, Mount Washington Road Race, Grossglockner Berglauf and Snowdon International from the classic distance.

GROAT F

The races now went head-to-head and this gave us semi finals of K42 Argentina vs Three Peaks Race and Smarna Gora vs Snowdon. This decided your favourite long distance race, which was K42 Argentina, and your favourite classic race, which was of course Smarna Gora.

So thank you to the thousands of you who voted. We hope that you’ve enjoyed a bit of competition in a year when it’s lacking. We will be bringing you interviews with the K42 Argentina and Smarna Gora race directors in the next few days.