From April 25 to 27, 2025, Vipava Valley hosted the 10th edition of the Ultra Trail Vipava Valley I Feel Slovenia event, attracting over 2,200 runners and hikers who once again filled the Valley with courage, determination, and perseverance as they took on a new challenge.
On Friday, April 25, Ajdovščina welcomed one of Slovenia’s largest ultra-trail running events — and the only one offering the daring a 100-mile distance. Participants competed across six race categories:
· Emperor Powered by AL!VE – 162 km (6,600 meters elevation gain)
· Centurion SCARPA – 111 km (4,600 meters elevation gain)
· Gladiator KOLEKTOR – 63 km (2,600 meters elevation gain)
· Legionar Mlinotest – 32 km (1,700 meters elevation gain)
· Asterix Erdinger – 16 km (300 meters elevation gain)
· Castra Run – 12 km (120 meters elevation gain)
plus the non-competitive Obelix Hike & Wine, an 11-kilometer walk (100 meters elevation gain) for hiking and food lovers eager to experience Vipava’s finest cuisine and wine.
The event kicked off on Friday at Lavrič Square in Ajdovščina, once known as Castra during Roman times. Nearby, historical reenactors from across Europe set up a Roman camp, giving the event an authentic touch of ancient culture.
The six marked trails wound through rugged paths and mountain trails, crossing the Vipava River and meandering through vineyards and the southern ridges of the Vipava Hills. Participants faced an epic ascent up the windy and rainy slopes of Mount Nanos. A steep descent into Vipava allowed a brief respite before runners took on another gruelling climb, rewarded by the stunning ridge trails of the Trnovo Plateau and the majestic Čaven Mountain. The course continued past Lijak to Sveta Gora above Nova Gorica, crossed the Soča River, briefly entered Italy via Solkan, and returned to Slovenia. This symbolic cross-border journey highlights the connection between Nova Gorica and Gorizia, twin cities celebrating their role as the European Capital of Culture 2025.
Organising such a demanding event significantly boosts the region’s reputation, promoting sports and active tourism — a key focus of Slovenia’s tourism strategy.
The festivities began with Kids Run on Friday at 5 PM at Lavrič Square, part of the Ajdovski Tek project organised by the Ajdovščina Sports Institute. Two hours later, excitement peaked as the Emperor Powered by AL!VE 162 km race kicked off, cheered on by a large crowd and the symbolic appearance of Emperor Theodosius and his legion. As Hans Zimmer’s “Now We Are Free” played, local dancer Lea Bajc gave a moving aerial silk dance performance in honour of the 147 ultra runners embarking on their monumental journey.
At 11:30 PM, 221 brave runners set off on the Centurion SCARPA 111 km race into a rainy and windy night, escorted by Roman soldiers carrying torches.
On Saturday, April 26, the Gladiator KOLEKTOR 63 km race started at 8 AM with 416 participants, led by 10 Roman reenactors in full battle gear. Later, 623 runners began the 32 km Legionar Mlinotest race at 9:30 AM. At 10 AM, over 100 hikers and wine lovers joined the Obelix Hike & Wine among the vineyards.
Two more starts followed in the afternoon: Asterix Erdinger – 16 km with 281 participants and Castra Run – 10 km with 110 participants.
At 12:12 PM, Peter Frano from Slovakia was the first to cross the finish line of the 32 km race in an impressive 2 hours, 41 minutes, and 55 seconds. Slovenian Tine Žižmond and Austrian Raphael Miks followed in second and third.
Soon after, Jan Božič of Slovenia claimed victory in the 111 km Centurion SCARPA with a time of 13:11:13, winning the title for the third time. Czech runner Luboš Neuwirth and Austrian Werner Sturm finished second and third.
The Emperor Powered by AL!VE course record fell to Austria’s Mathias Deutschbauer, who completed the 162 km race in just 17 hours, 45 minutes, and 40 seconds. Local heroes Aleš Frlic and Anže Sobočan took second and third, both significantly improving their times from the previous year. This year’s Emperor challenge lived up to its name, delivering exceptionally strong competition, with no fewer than six runners completing the course in under 20 hours.
In the women’s 162 km event, Ireland’s Emma Stuart dominated, setting a new course record with 20:44:18 and finishing 7th overall. Croatians Karmen Kostanic Juric and Diana Kuiš rounded out the women’s podium.
In the women’s Centurion SCARPA, Slovenia’s Marija Šeme triumphed with 15:49:46, ahead of Spain’s Júlia Gracia Bonastre and the Czech Republic’s Iveta Jankovičová.
Italy’s Philipp Ausserhofer claimed the Gladiator KOLEKTOR title, completing the 63 km course in 5:15:32. He was followed by Belarus’s Uladzimir Yakubouski and Slovenia’s Marko Tratnik.
Among women, Czech runner Karolina Jelinkova won, with Hungary’s Irén Tiricz and Slovenia’s Tina Šatej completing the podium.
In the women’s category of the 30-kilometre Legionar Mlinotest race, local runner Lucija Krkoč once again claimed victory, finishing in 3 hours, 9 minutes, and 34 seconds, ahead of Italy’s Marina Cugnetto and Slovenia’s Meta Hrovat.
In the men’s category of the 15-kilometer Asterix race, Sindi Trpin took the win, crossing the finish line in 1 hour, 9 minutes, and 19 seconds. He was followed by Alfonso Quiros from Costa Rica and Italy’s Marko Vizintin. In the women’s race, Slovenian runner Lena Lupša claimed victory with a time of 1 hour, 20 minutes, and 47 seconds, ahead of Maruša Povše and Amanda Tomac.
In the shortest distance, the 10-kilometer Castra Run, Slovenian Jernej Šemrov claimed victory with a time of 45 minutes and 37 seconds. He was soon joined at the finish line by fellow Slovenians, runner-up Nejc Hladnik and Aljaž Plevnik.
In the women’s competition, Slovenian Maruša Cijan Brkič took the win, finishing in an overall second place with a time of 46 minutes and 52 seconds. She was followed by Julija Brus and Nastja Mihelčič.
The event was broadcast live via the UTVV I Feel Slovenia website.
More than 500 volunteers and supporters from local organisations ensured smooth operations at 18 refreshment stations, while live music, food, and cheering added to the vibrant atmosphere.
The event is a collaboration between six municipalities (Vipava, Ajdovščina, Nova Gorica, Comune di Gorizia, Šempeter-Vrtojba, and Miren-Kostanjevica), two tourist boards, and twenty local associations, with Ajdovščina serving as the main host.
The Obelix Hike & Wine and Lavrič Square festivities showcased wines and cuisine from Vipava Valley, hosted by Zavod Vipavski Križ. The medieval village of Vipavski Križ, perched above the valley and protected as a national cultural monument, offered a stunning setting.
After the races, festivities continued with concerts by Ne joči pevec and DJ Samo.
Award ceremonies for the 10, 15, 30, and 60 km races were held Saturday evening, while the 110 and 160 km winners were celebrated on Sunday morning.
As tradition holds, UTVV I Feel Slovenia awarded swords to winners of the 30 and 60 km races, and swords plus warrior helmets to winners of the 110 and 160 km races — this year, for the first time, also accompanied by rich cash prizes.
Special honours were also given to runners who completed UTVV ten times: Mojca Raner, Peter Macuh, Jožef Tomažič, Toni Lekše, Benjamin Kodele, and Simon Curk.
Finally, the Vipava Valley All-Time Runner awards — recognising the most loyal and successful runners over all ten editions — went to Anže Sobočan and Petra Šček.
The event’s title partners were the Slovenian Tourist Board I Feel Slovenia and Vipava Valley.
Ajdovščina-based company Leone, with its AL!VE brand of ice cream and chocolate proudly served as the Emperor’s general partner. Other major partners included SCARPA, Mlinotest, ERDINGER, and Primorska Hranilnica Vipava, along with many domestic and international sponsors like Kolektor, OSHEE, Sport HG, and OutVentureX.
UTVV I FEEL SLOVENIA 2025 AFTER MOVIE
Results of all races
160 km, Emperor Powered by AL!VE
Men
1. Mathias Deutschbauer (AT), 17h, 45 min, 40 sec
2. Aleš Frlic (SI), 18h, 29 min, 13 sec
3. Anže Sobočan (SI), 18h, 45 min, 14 sec
Women
1. Emma Stuart (IR), 20h, 44 min, 18 sec
2. Karmen Kostanic Juric (HR), 25h, 58 min, 54 sec
3. Diana Kuiš (HR), 26h, 18 min, 27 sec
110 km, Centurion SCARPA
Men
1. Jan Božič (SI), 13h, 11 min, 13 sec
2. Luboš Neuwirth (CZ), 13h, 49 min, 51 sec
3. Werner Sturm (AT), 13h, 56 min, 52 sec
Women
1. Marija Šeme (SI), 15h, 49 min, 46 sec
2. Júlia Gracia Bonastre (ES), 16h, 00 min, 49 sec
3. Iveta Jankovičová (CZ), 16h, 18 min, 06 sec
60 km, Gladiator KOLEKTOR
Men
1. Philipp Ausserhofer (IT), 5h, 15 min, 32 sec
2. Uladzimir Yakubouski (BY), 5h, 29 min, 03 sec
3. Marko Tratnik (SI), 5h, 32 min, 50 sec
Women
1. Karolina Jelinkova (CZ), 6h, 16 min, 25 sec
2. Irén Tiricz (HU), 6h, 24 min, 21 sec
3. Tina Šatej (SI), 7h, 04 min, 30 sec
30 km, Legionar
Men
1. Peter Frano (SK), 2h, 41 min, 55 sec
2. Tine Žižmond (SI), 2h, 48 min, 55 sec
3. Raphael Miks (AT), 2h, 49 min, 47 sec
Women
1. Lucija Krkoč (SI), 3h, 09 min, 34 sec
2. Marina Cugnetto (IT), 3h, 21 min, 00 sec
3. Meta Hrovat (SI), 3h, 34 min, 09 sec
15 km, Asterix
Men
1. Sindi Trpin (SI), 1h, 09 min, 19 sec
2. Alfonso Quiros (CR), 1h, 11 min, 23 sec
3. Marko Vizintin (IT), 1h, 11 min, 56 sec
Women
1. Lena Lupša (SI), 1h, 20 min, 47 sec
2. Maruša Povše (SI), 1h, 23 min, 57 sec
3. Amanda Tomac (SI), 1h, 29 min, 42 sec
10 km, Castra City Run
Men
1. Jernej Šemrov (SI), 45 min, 37 sec
2. Nejc Hladnik (SI), 47 min, 18 sec
3. Aljaž Plevnik (SI), 47 min, 58 sec
Women
1. Maruša Cijan Brkič (SI), 46 min, 51 sec
2. Julija Brus (SI), 51 min, 48 sec
3. Nastja Mihelčič (SI), 53 min, 21 sec
