5th Dražgoše Mountain Race

Although just 40km from Slovenia's capital Ljubljana this event is far off the beaten track.

The best way to get there is via Škofja Loka, one of the oldest and most charming small towns in the country. From there it's 18km to the start in the village of Rudno, which is 2km to the north of the old ironworking town of Železniki.

From Rudno, a road winds up to Dražgoše, a mountain village that was heavily destroyed in World War Two. A memorial on the main road reminds of the cruelties during and after the fierce "Battle of Dražgoše" in 1942.

The race, however, does not follow the main road. You run on trails and dirt roads to Dražgoše where the route levels out. About 1km is on an asphalt road. You then run through the forest to the top of Dražgoška gora, a 6km-long escarpment at the edge of a densely forested mountain plateau. Competitive paragliders love the place for its thermals.

The route offers marvellous views of inland Slovenia.

The course records were set in 2006 by Simon Alič (38:32) and Jana Oman (49:49).

Country: Slovenia

Venue (Map): Rudno in the Selščica valley (Železniki 2km, Kranj 29km, Ljubljana 40km)

Date: 30 August 2009 (Sunday)

Race distance: 7.5km (+690m)

Start: 10.00 in Rudno (480m)

Finish: Dražgoška gora (1170m)

Entries: on the day from 8.00 to 9.40

Entry fees: 8 EUR; 5 EUR (athletes aged 17 or younger)

You get: transport of personal clothing to the finish, a present, a warm meal and tea after the race, prize raffle

Prizes: trophies and presents to the first 3 M/F; medals to the first 3 in the categories

Presentation: 12.30 on the sports field in Dražgoše

Number of finishers 2008: 104

Details, couse map, elevation profile (in Slovene): www.sd-drazgose.si

No guarantee is made as to the accuracy or completeness of the information on this page..