This is a general letter from Slovenian Tomo Sarf (WMRA Director of Development)making runners aware of opportunties available in Slovenia in June around the World Long Distance Challenge & International Youth Challenge.

Dear Friends,

I would like to invite you and your friends of all ages to SLOVENIA.

Slovenia will host two international MR events in 2011:

Þ 18. June - World MR Long distance Challenge

Þ 25. June – Int. Youth MR Challenge



As you probably know, both events are open for all runners – every country /WMRA member/ can enter official teams, but generally the races are open to all participants. You can find detailed regulations on the WMRA web page.

…………………………..

All the mentioned course visits will be organized - guided course visit with all the necessary logistic support (transport, food…).

Of course we will adopt the trips to the weather… and your wishes…

All those venues are close to the Ljubljana airport – no more than 50km!

This is just a short information – we will be able to publish the latest details before end March…

Slovenia has became very popular tourist destination since there are cheap direct flights from main European airports to Ljubljana airport. And there is just 200km (2 hours drive) from Venice airport to Ljubljana….

I personally organize the Smarna gora race for more than 30 years and many times on the day after the race I took some runners to one of those destinations – and always we spent an unforgettable day!

So I would like to invite you to use this opportunity to discover our country in the best possible way!

This should be just short information – if you think it could be interesting for you and your friends, you can ask fro the details.

I’ve already sent the official invitation to the national federations – I’m sure they will send official teams. This message could be more interesting for the non-national-team runners, fun runners… who would like to enjoy mountain running experience in Slovenia and to spend a wonderful week in our county.

Best regards, Tomo Sarf, WMRA



Plan:

Saturday 18.June
World Long dist. Challenge

Sunday 19.June
Rest day; full day trip with busses
- Kranjska gora à Planica (ski Jumping) à Vršič (Pass 1611m) à Trenta (the Soča river valley; Mlinarica-Korita) Boka waterfall (one hour walk) à Kobarid (Museum 1st world war) – lunch à Podbrdo à Bohinj

Monday 20.June
WCh 2010 Course visit
With busses to Kamnik (1 hour; 80km)
Course (men’s = 12km; 1300m; women’s = 9km, 1000m; Jun.women = 4km; 400m); beautiful views from on the last 4km
light lunch on the easy walk back to the JW start;
Non-runners can go with bus to the JW start and walk juste the upper part and meet the runners on the plateau
Travel back from JW start (Kisovec) to Kamnik (45 min) and to Spa Snovik (15min) – swimmnig…. Dinner à travel back in the evening hours

Tuesday 21.June
With busses to Ljubljana (1 hour; 70km);
Visit of the Smarna gora race course ( (10km; 710m/350m); non runners can walk to the summit (30-40 min easy walk; 350m height difference); light lunch on the summit
Walk back to the the busses
Ljubljana city visit, dinner in Ljubljajna, evening in Ljubljana; travel back in the evening hours
alternative – earlier departure from Ljubljana and dinner in Hotel

Wednesday 22.June
Grintovec MR race – course visit
With busses to Kamnik (1 hour; 80km) à Kamniška bistrica
Hike to the Grintovec Mountain following the MR race course (9,6km; 1960m elevation gain; summit 2550m)
Serious rocky high mountain, from 1600m above the tree line; absolutely safe, non-technical trail. No road, no cable car available from 800m à 2550m. Walk also downhill. Standardized time for hikers /with heavy rucksacks/ 6 hours for ascent and 5 hours for descent; 2-3 hours for jogging Mountain runners; course record 1:15! Expected time for us 6 hours or full trip.
Light lunch possible on the way back in the hut in the middle (1800m).
The starting point is “Kamniska Bistrica”, beautiful valley with brilliant water (spring with small lake) – suitable also for easy walking for non-mountain runners.
On the way back stop in Kamnik – lunch/dinner; walk in the old city centre
Travel back

Thursday 23.June
Rest day – full day bus trip to the coast
Bohinj à Postojna (120km, 90min) à visit of Postojna cave à coast-Portorož (60km; 45min) à lunch/dinner, walk….. à visit of “Salt works museum” nearby
Drive back in the evening hours….

Friday 24.June
Course Ech 2001 visit - Krvavec
The course – 12 km; 1200m
Non-mountain runners can go by busses up to 1400m /kriška planina/. Hike on the plateau up to 2000m.
Travel back from Kriska planina (1400m) with busses to Cerklje (20min); lunch
Travel to Bled (30min) – Bled visit
Travel back

Saturday 25.June
Youth MR Challenge – Gorenja vas – race visit
Alternative – visit of one of the neighboring peaks (middle high - cca1500 - Blegoš / Ratitovec) – cca 3 hours walk – beautiful nature, views….

Sunday
DEPARTURES