The Julian Alps and the surrounding area offer everything that trail running is all about – mountain trails where easier and more runnable terrain intertwine, with some more technical terrain in between. That’s why the Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB, the biggest Slovenian trail running event in 2021, could hardly have found a better location for the event than Kranjska Gora, which is right in the heart of the Slovenian mountains and at the same time a highly visible tourist destination.
This year, the event will take place from 8-10 September 2023. Runners can already register for the event and choose between six distances: 10, 15, 30, 65, 100 and 170 kilometres. This way, pure beginners in trail running as well as experienced ultra-marathoners will be able to find a distance that suits them and their running fitness.
The Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB is the only Slovenian running event that is part of the UTMB® World Series. The UTMB World Trail Running Series brings together the best trail running events in the world. This puts the Slovenian Trail Run and Kranjska Gora alongside iconic outdoor events and destinations such as the Lavaredo Ultra Trail in the Italian Dolomites and the Ultra Trail de Mont Blanc in Chamonix, France.
UTMB World, on the occasion of the Julian Alps Trail Run’s inclusion in the World Series, said of the event that the Slovenian running event represents a golden cave of authentic nature. “Slovenia’s leading trail running event offers runners a unique opportunity to run in tranquil nature and explore incredible trails close to the country’s most majestic mountains. Named after the mountain range it runs along the edge of, the run is a unique combination of technically challenging mountain trails and accessible trails, and has something to offer for every runner,” they added.
The Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB brings together the sustainable destinations of Kobarid, Radovljica, Žirovnica and Kranjska Gora, which is also the main venue of the event, into one event. The organisers are expecting around 2000 runners from 40 countries to take part in this year’s event.
Tentative programme of the event, subject to change until September:
Thursday 7 September
16.00 – 20.00 Collection of start numbers for all distances
16.00 – 20.00 Fair – EXPO
18.00 Official opening of the event (EXPO)
18.30 Lectures and short films (EXPO)
20.00 Closing of the fair and collection of starting numbers
Friday, 8 September
8.00 – 12.00 and 15.00 – 20.00 Collection of starting numbers for all distances
8.00 – 12.00 and 15.00 – 20.00 Fair (EXPO)
8.00 Group easy run – approx. 5 km (assemble at the entrance to the EXPO)
9.00 Departure of the bus from Kranjska Gora for the 170 km distance
12.00 Start of the 170 km distance in Kobarid
12.00 to 15.00 Break (closed fair and closed registration)
15.00 Re-opening of the fair and collection of starting numbers
18.00 – 19.00 Lectures on trail running and other outdoor experiences (EXPO)
19.00 Departure of the bus from Kranjska Gora for the 100 km distance
20.00 Closing of the fair and collection of start numbers
21.00 Start of the 100 km distance in Radovljica
Saturday, 9 September
5.45 Departure of the bus from Kranjska Gora for the 60 km distance
6.00 – 9.00 Collection of numbers for 25, 15 and 10 km
6.00 – 20.00 Fair (EXPO)
7.00 Start of the 60 km distance in Žirovnica
8.00 – 9.00 Arrival of the 100 km winner
9.00 Start of the 25 km distance in Kranjska Gora
10.00 – 12.00 Arrival of the 100 km winner and the 170 km winner
12.30 – 13.30 Arrival of the 60 km winner
14.00 – 17.00 Receipt of starting numbers for 10 and 15 km
14.00 – 14.45 Registration for the children’s run – free registration
14.00 – 14.30 Arrival of the 60 km winner
15.00 Children’s 400 m
15.00 – 17.00 Arrival of the 170 km winner
15.45 Prize-giving ceremony for the 25 km distance (EXPO)
17.00 Start of the 15 km distance in Kranjska Gora
17.45 Start of the 10 km distance in Kranjska Gora
18.00 Prize-giving for the 60 km distance (EXPO)
19.00 Award ceremony for the 15 km distance (EXPO)
19.30 Award ceremony for the 10 km distance (EXPO)
20.00 Closing of the fair
20.00 Evening event at the finish
Sunday, 10 September
9.00 – 10.00 Arrival of the last 170 km competitors
10.30 Prize-giving ceremony for the 100 km distance
11.00 170 km awards ceremony
11.30 Closing of the JAT 2023 event
