The shortest race from 2021 is back. Realistically, this race is for those who would try skyrunning for the first time, without worries about the time limits. Also, a great trail for the juniors.
The start is scheduled for June 10th (Saturday) 2023 at 8AM from Jabučko Ravnište (Stara Planina Hotel) together with the 34 km race (one hour after the 64 km race start). .
That’s a change comparing to previous editions. The path leads you along the ski trail across Babin Zub and at the very start you will have 2.5 km of ascent. The descent also follows the ski trail beside the Plaža Restaurant. There is no control point at the first pass.
After that you will enter the well-known macadam path leading towards Midžor, reaching the first peak – Žarkova Čuka from where you will see the magnificent ridge in its full splendour. There you will have the first control point at the 6th km of the race.
After that you will go down the same path towards the Plaža Restaurant, where the CP2 will be set (8th km). There you will have sweets and water and from there you’ll turn towards the mountain lodge. So, you don’t go down the ski trail that you came along. On the way you’ll come across a spring where you can refill (recommended if the weather is hot). Very soon you’ll reach an asphalt road and a parking lot. Follow the markings (there will be a “live crossroads”, a volunteer directing you further) above the hotel and the lodge. You’ll go straight through the rocky groove of Babin Zub, where you’ll have a minor technical section. Once you reach the top you’ll see the finish line (the hotel), so just go along the ski trail to the finish gate – Jabučko Ravnište (Stara Planina Hotel).
Time limit:
Finish – Jabučko Ravnište 11:00 (3 hours from the start)
Race profile and map:
As you can see, the time limit is okay, so it is a good motive for those runners who enter the world of skyrunning. However, the trail is far from easy for which reason carrying enough water is an obligatory thing.
Required equipment: adequate sneakers (trail sneakers), rain/wind jacket, cup and properly placed starting number (always visible, frontally placed). Penalties of 30 mins will be applied if any of these is missing. If two or more items are missing, the disqualification will follow.
Take this seriously considering many didn’t in 2021, so there were plenty of DSQ statuses.
We recommend that you use poles, but bear in mind that you cannot leave them at the control points. Skyrunning is not the same as athletics, easy trail or street marathons. The rules and functioning of these races are quite different, ask more experienced colleagues about it.
rain/wind jacket and properly placed starting number (always visible, frontally placed). If one item is missing, the disqualification will follow.
Take this seriously.
We recommend that you use poles, but then you must have them to the finish.
All additional information about the race will be presented through the final e-mail and the race guide (Race Guide 2023). This distance does not require the technical meeting before the race.
The Association will provide the transfer to the start of the VK by minibuses. It leaves from Babin Zub Hotel and picks up those who will be at turn towards Stara Planina Hotel. From Žarkova Čuka peak you’ll return to Plaža towards Babin Zub (by foot). More information in the race guide.
You can get your starting package in the race office at the Stara Planina Hotel on Friday, June 9, 2023 from 6PM to 11PM. The packages must be picked up in person. Medical certificate is not obligatory for this race. GPS record of the trail can be downloaded here..
Applications are open in October and closed on Monday, May 15th, 2023, 4PM (meaning that the payments have to be regulated by this time). Within the participant package every runner will get a unique finishers medal and a cotton T-shirt. The registration fee is 1.800 RSD (EUR 15) until November 5th, from November 6th, 2022 it is 2.400 RSD (EUR 20) and from March 1st, 2023 it is 3.000 RSD (EUR 25).
Applications can be submitted through trka.rsThe minibus for the participants (20 seats) will operate as it did the year before. Anyone who pays the registration fee and wants to be on the participants bus will have to pay extra 2.000 RSD at the same payment reference number. So, the same day you decide to pay registration fee you can book your seat on the bus immediately with another payment. The payment purpose – registration fee additional payment. The bus leaves on June 9, at 3PM from the Štark Arena parking lot. It will be taking the participants back on Sunday at 9:00AM in front of the Stara Planina Hotel.
Those who do not make the additional payment within the registration fee will not be included in the bus list.
Each participant must wear their starting number in the visible place, frontally. So, between the chest and hips. It can be placed on the jacket or shirt, but must not be covered by the jacket! You must not fold it because the chip will be broken. The loss of the starting number means automatic disqualification. Should you have any complaints, contact us at skyrunning.serbia@gmail.com within 48 hours after the race. After this time no complaints will be taken into consideration.
The race will not carry points within the Skyrunning League of Serbia and Montenegro for 2023. Neither does it meet the requirements for ITRA/UTMB rating.
For accommodation for all participants in 13 km race we recommend up on Jabučko Ravnište, near Babin Zub, the mountain lodge (4 km from the start), the Stara Planina Hotel, private houses or a camp just above the start in the forest. If you decide to stay at Crni Vrh village, you will have to provide a vehicle for yourself since the village is 10 km away from the start/finish line of the race. If you choose the camp, bear in mind that the beginning of June may be quite fresh at that height, so bring your winter equipment, as well. More information will follow as of January in our new race guide.
Weather forecast link – https://www.yr.no/place/Serbia/Other/Babin_Zub/long.html
Link for live tracking of runners will be in the Race Guide.
Award ceremony: Stara Planina Hotel, Saturday, June 10th, 2023 at 6:30PM at start/finish gate. In case of bad weather, the ceremony will be held in the hotel hall. The first three places in both categories, men and women, will receive the awards.
Step into the world of skyrunning, fearlessly and enjoy the beautiful nature of Serbia. This is a distance that anyone can master.
Get ready for the mountain running festivity and the tenth jubilee edition, the race you can’t miss!
See you at Stara Planina!