An interview with Andi Mamić
✍️ Tadej Maligoj
When Andi Mamić talks about Skrlanka, it quickly becomes clear that this is not just another UTVV training. It is his home ground, his community, the story of the place, and a run whose meaning goes far beyond kilometres and elevation gain. That is precisely why Skrlanka is the most “his” of all UTVV training runs. A beautiful course, a special holiday atmosphere, and excellent organisation are the reasons why so many people gather in Skrilje every year on 26 December.
Skrlanka is your favourite.
As a local, I’ve run these trails at the foot of Čaven countless times. They are part of my everyday life. In 2019, we villagers decided to do something more—we cleared a hidden, overgrown spring and created, arranged, and marked a circular trail to it and back. Skrlanka wasn’t designed on paper; it was built through hands-on work in the field, with shovels, pruning shears, and a lot of goodwill.
As a trail runner, I paid special attention to choosing the descent from the spring. It’s just technical enough, smooth and flowing, the kind that invites movement. This is where I belong—as a UTVV training guide, as a runner, and as a “Skrlan.” This trail is truly close to my heart.
Skrlanka isn’t just a UTVV training, right?
No, not at all. Skrlanka is a broader event, also intended for hikers of all ages, families, and anyone who wants to spend a day outdoors and enjoy themselves. Much of the organisation is taken care of by the local community and active villagers—refreshments as well as activities connected with culture, tradition, and entertainment.
Because of this, the event has a different feel. It’s not only sporting, but it’s also social and homely. Definitely bring some casual clothes too, because you’ll stay with us longer than after a usual training run. Well… to be fair, that’s now true for almost all of our trainings anyway. 🙂
How would you describe Skrlanka to someone for whom this would be their very first UTVV training?
Skrlanka is a short but solid loop. In just over six kilometres, you gain almost 350 metres of elevation—just right for a quality training session.
The climb takes you to the spring, and the descent is proper trail running: smooth, playful, mostly on forest singletrack. Everyone repeats the loop for as long as it suits them. Most runners do three or four loops, hikers usually one, and the most determined ultrarunners keep going for all six hours.
At the start of the loop, there’s a refreshment station, which often helps with the decision of whether to go for another lap. At the end, everyone is rewarded with a hot meal. But if you ask the participants, almost all of them will tell you the same thing: what impresses them most is the atmosphere.
You’re a successful trail runner, but at the same time a very down-to-earth organiser. What drives you to keep doing this?
The UTVV training runs are now in their ninth season, and I’ve been involved in all of them. I missed only one—the women’s one last year, where I obviously wasn’t allowed in.
I feel a strong connection to the UTVV race, emotionally as well. And since I can’t help with organising the race itself—because I always compete in it—I found my own way to contribute: the training runs.
I’ll be honest—these runs are useful for me too; I always get in a good training session. But even more important to me is being able to show my running friends new trails and our beautiful valley. It’s an honour to see them enjoy it and discover the paths along which I myself grew up as a runner.
After nine seasons—how do you see it? What do runners take away from the training runs, besides kilometres and elevation gain?
Less experienced runners gain a lot of useful, hands-on knowledge directly on the trail. More experienced ones come back for the good feeling and the always interesting company. And because we have groups at different paces, choosing the right one can make this an excellent opportunity to train at a slightly higher tempo than you might manage on your own. In a group, that kind of training is simply easier.
At the same time, our runs include elements that simulate race conditions: equipment choices, arriving at the start on time, a bit of stress hormones… all of which help with preparation for long races.
Magnifico on Christmas, Skrlanka on Independence and Unity Day?
Holidays are often marked by too much food, drink, and consumerism. For me, an ideal holiday looks different: an early start, movement, enough elevation to really feel the world beneath me, then returning home calm and celebrating with my closest ones.
26 December is no coincidence. It’s Slovenia’s Independence and Unity Day. When we were thinking about the date, we remembered stories of our ancestors who, during the time of fascism, had to hide in the forest to distil spirits. That’s why distilling brandy at Skrlanka has symbolic meaning.
We start the event with the national anthem, flags, and in a Christmas–New Year atmosphere, everything takes on a special, almost ceremonial tone.
If you stopped an acquaintance on the street and invited them…
After all the holiday indulgence, it’s really good to stretch your legs a bit. Come along—you’ll have a great time, enjoy the company, and go home with the feeling that you truly celebrated the day.
Why is it important to you that Skrlanka is open to everyone?
Trail running has opened the door for many people who had never even considered entering a race before. This “breadth” is a great value of the sport. And many, many more people simply love being active in nature, even if they don’t run.
Mixed events like this get all kinds of people moving—older participants, parents with children, even those who otherwise struggle to convince themselves to tackle a hill.
Socialising doesn’t depend on how many loops you do. On the trail and at the start area, we all meet, and over a hot meal and a glass of mulled wine, good conversation always follows.
