I was thinking to participate at Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB for some years now, but I decided 2026 is the year. And the 54K was the lucky one. Unlike many other races, this is not a loop. But from point A to B. This is something I have experienced in the past, but not away from Romania. It seems even more interesting, but a bit challenging logistically. Because of this, the trip needs to be carefully planned. Details are shared already here. Point being, I want to be sure to be located very close to the finish, and to the race village, in general. This point is Kranjska Gora.
Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB, my start at 08:00
The accommodation is right in the middle of the village, Spar and Mercator are across the road, so food supply is at discretion. Not to mention all restaurants and cafes. The setup is made. “08:00 or 09:30, what departure hour do you prefer?”, I got an e-mail from the organizers. I opted for the first, since I was expecting somewhere between 9 and 10 hours on the trail, so an earlier departure would be favored towards Žirovnica.
Only four hydration points at Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB
I decide to keep my starting heat, the only problem being the bus departure, to the start, is at 06:00. I am not a morning person, but I need to comply. 04:52 AM and I wake up, without too much effort, before the clock ringing. I prepare the last details, because the main part of the apparel was already arranged carefully the evening before. I see there are only four “pit stops”, which is fairly low for a 54 kilometers and 2,600 meters ascent race, and no springs available, as I would find out luckily.
Plenty of time to contemplate the start of Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB
The departure is in time, and we arrive around 06:35, so quite some time left until start. A bit too early, enough cold to put me a bit on the move. The start is uphill, so most part of the half one of the race. I explore the place, I see the horses, the surroundings. I can admire Triglav, the highest peak in Slovenia, above 2,800 meters! Time is passing quite slow, but the atmosphere makes the waiting enjoyable. I know I’m not climbing that high, but I will reach above 1,800 meters, which is not that bad, is it? Golica is the key point to remember for this.
10 strong kilometers at the beginning
Finally, I start the actual warm up, make it properly, because I never ran such a long distance in more than three years. I can’t say I’m nervous, but I take this seriously. The UTMB prediction says I am able to finish in 8:46. It is not bad, but I am not sure how reliable is it. The start is roughly narrow, comparing to the volume of participants. feel It is complicated to pass, but I need to make some room, because asphalt uphill is one of my strengths on this kind of races. First 10 kilometers match my preferences and I can keep quite a good rhythm, the 5 kilometer mark is one minute below the forecast. I feel strong and confident!
20 kilometers of struggle, technical struggle
Unfortunately, the next around 20 kilometers are full of impossible climbs, and, even worse, of steep technical muddy downhills. This is the part I like the least. If I would approach an entire trail race like I do with this type of downhill, most likely I would have added at least four more hours on average. For example at this race. My prediction slips, but I meet, in the end some flat asphalt. Or, at least, a mild fake flat to be able and pick up the pace.
Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB, ideally to be approached with a camel back!
From here, things are getting easier for me. I am tired, but I have the needed volume to cope with this. From steep ups and downs, with roots and mud, now the surface resembles more a flat mixed trail-asphalt race. Of course, 24 kilometers, give or take, after 30 hard others, is not an usual effort, but it is the kind of effort I would prefer in the second half, if I would to chose. The decision I took to take a camel back with two liters of liquid proved to be instrumental. Sipping from that, every now and then, compensated my huge need for fluids, limited by those four hydration points.
Precious bonus cold water!
The last one is at kilometer 47, so seven more remaining. At this point, they feel like 2 kilometers. The length of a race can severely improve one’s perception. In any case, this last leg starts with another steep uphill on asphalt. I power hike it, to conserve energy, and I see I can move faster than people who are trying to run. I head towards the finish, and, 49 kilometers in, a little boy awaits us with cold water.
The best landscape of Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB
It is not a marked hydration point, but something kindly organized by the locals. I did took plenty of liquids at the 47 mark, but in this type of journey, any drop of water counts. Especially if it is cold, as this was. I am thanking the child, and in moments, when a raise my eyes I see one of the best landscapes I ever seen in my life: some small country houses, perfectly taken care of, with the mighty Julian Alps on top. The mountain backbone looks so big, and so close, as it was about to come and swallow me alive. The feeling is awesome.
Kilometer 49-50, best one ever
I am trying to keep my attention focused on the trail, as I always do, but I can’t help it but slow down as much as needed to enjoy this view. I don’t take the phone out for pictures, there is no use. It is the kind of image you can fully enjoy and memorize with your own eyes. Any photo doesn’t true up what the moment reveals. It is, without any doubt, the most beautiful kilometer of the race: 49 – 50! Suddenly, there are only four and a bit left.
“Two more kilometers!”, music to my ears!
My morale and confidence are getting higher and higher. The energy level is decent, so I accelerate as much as I can. Kilometer after kilometer, I enter Kranjska Gora, and a volunteer tells me: “two more kilometers left!” I push the pedal, I see MyUTMBs prediction becomes more and more likely. I like to push the pedal on asphalt, even on mild uphill portions. The energy of the almost-finisher clicked in.
Almost exact match to MyUTMB prediction for Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB!!!
One more climb, on the stairs, left turn and there is the finish gate, with the beautiful church on the background! 8:46:24 official time, 8:45:40 chip time. To fulfill such a prediction in such a race, I must admit is more than impressive. Of course, with a 468 UTMB index, the performance is mediocre, but for me, it is a great achievement! I see the medal, I put it around the neck, with the might Ibex carved, and I also carve the time. Why? Exactly, because of the prediction!
Bad culinary decisions
The race is over, but what now? First, I realize that this race had all the type of surfaces, but fortunately the ones I don’t like were a minority, which helped my finish. Second… I need to eat, to hydrate. Where can I best recover, then? Bedanc restaurant, of course! The problem, I guess, was the course chosen… “Breaded cheese”. I was not sure what that is, but when I see it I realize it might not be the healthiest thing to eat in these low battery conditions. I eat, of course, the fired cheese with French fries.
Sleep recharges me completely, and muscles are surprisingly well
A Lasko beer is mandatory. But only one, not to force things. Still, it is enough for me to go to a low point. It is understandable, my body is inflamed by a huge effort, and the filling post race was not necessary a good idea. The evening is not a great experience, especially that I try also some wine. There are not too many other options to taste the local beverage. I try to sleep, don’t fall asleep easily, but in the end I manage to rest, and the next day my battery is back up. My muscles hurt, but not something alarming. A mild pain, comparing the effort.
My road to OCC continues, at least at dreaming level
Now, I can consider mission accomplished. Two more stones in my pursue for an OCC participation at a moment in time, hopefully sooner than later. But, most important, this race will always remain a tool which allowed me to fully access the wonders of Slovenia. You can see them in other ways also, but gluing yourself to its trails, to its paths, roads, and so on gives a perspective which is very hard to be matched.
Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB, established only in 2021!
Taking part at the Julian Alps Trail Run Run by UTMB will age as a great decision. The experience is above expectations, and something to take in consideration for the future. The event is organized only from 2021, but the way in which is culturized and organized makes you feel that it has, perhaps, decades! You don’t run an inch within Triglavski National Park, even if you can admire it at full capacity all the race. It is a wonderful race that everybody should try. Slovenia really is lovely!
Photo: sportograf.com