STA, 28 October 2021 - After a two-year break due to Covid, the Vipava Valley Ultra-Trail race will be back in Slovenia's picturesque wine growing region this weekend to feature a record number of runners. A total of 1,300 participants from 36 countries have registered for the event, including from as far as Singapore, Peru, Canada and Australia.
Taking place from Friday to Sunday, the event will offer a choice of five trails in distances of between 13 and 160 kilometres.
Seventy-five runners have registered to take part in the longest run where they will have to negotiate 7,000 metres of climbing and as much of descents, organisers told reporters earlier this week.
Both the runners and visitors will be required to meet the recovered-vaccinated-tested mandate. Those who do, will get a bracelet which will allow them to move freely in the venues.
A team of 300 organisers and volunteers will be on hand at 16 refreshment points to make sure the runners are safe.
This year the event is being expanded with a non-competitive hike through the vineyards, which the local tourism official Barbara Repovš said is intended for families. It will conclude with wine tasting.
The trail has been marked so hikers can enjoy it throughout the year.
Another similar event will be held next weekend in the hills above the seaside towns of Koper and Izola. The Coastal Ultra-Trail (5-7 November) will feature four routes of between 11 and 87 kilometres.
