Between 24 and 26 April 2026, the 11th edition of Ultra Trail Vipava Valley I Feel Slovenia took place in the Vipava Valley, welcoming more than 2,600 registered runners, hikers, and trail warriors who once again filled the valley with their courage, perseverance, and determination to take on a new challenge.
On Friday, 24 April, Ajdovščina became the host of one of the largest ultra trail running events in Slovenia, and the only one in the country offering the most courageous runners a 100-mile distance. Competitors took on six race distances: Emperor PELICON 163 km with 6,700 metres of elevation gain, Centurion SCARPA 110 km with 4,700 metres of elevation gain, Gladiator KOLEKTOR 63 km with 2,600 metres of elevation gain, Legionar MLINOTEST 30 km with 1,700 metres of elevation gain, Asterix LA PRIMAFIT 15 km with 280 metres of elevation gain, Castra Run FORD 12 km with 120 metres of elevation gain, and the non-competitive 11-kilometre Obelix Hike & Wine with 100 metres of elevation gain, created for hikers and lovers of excellent Vipava Valley cuisine.
The Ultra Trail Vipava Valley I Feel Slovenia event began on Thursday, 23 April, with the official opening ceremony at the Hall of the First Slovenian Government, where the event director, Boštjan Mikuž, welcomed a packed hall and wished all warriors a warm welcome to the 11th edition. This was followed by the premiere of the film FLOW and the powerful dance-theatre performance Duša bojevnika, under the artistic direction of Lea Bajc.
The main event continued on Friday, 24 April, at Lavričev trg in Ajdovščina, known in Roman times as Castra. At the same time, historical reenactors from across Europe set up their camp within the castle walls not far from Lavričev trg, adding a tangible touch of Roman cultural heritage to the event and to the story of the Vipava Valley.
The event was opened by the youngest participants with the Kids Runs, organized as part of the Ajdovski tek project by Zavod za šport Ajdovščina, on Friday at 16:30 at Lavričev trg. Two and a half hours later, the highly anticipated start of the longest race, the 163-kilometre Emperor PELICON, filled the streets of Ajdovščina with spectators and supporters. The runners were sent off from Lavričev trg by Emperor Theodosius himself and his army. Accompanied by Hans Zimmer’s iconic piece Now We Are Free, Lea Bajc performed an aerial silk dance in honour of the 200 ultra warriors before they set off on their grand loop around the Vipava Valley.
The Emperor runners followed marked trails, mountain paths, and other established routes crossing the Hubelj and Vipava rivers, before continuing through vineyards and along the southern ridges of the Vipava Hills. This was followed by the epic climb to Nanos.
From Nanos, the runners descended towards Vipava, briefly giving their legs some relief, but soon after they faced another steep ascent, rewarded by running along the edge of the Trnovo Plateau and the mighty Čaven. The route then led them past Lijak all the way to Sveta Gora above Nova Gorica, across the Soča River, and in Solkan also across the national border into Italy. From there, the course continued through Gorizia before returning to Slovenia via Cerje, Branik, and Planina, and finally back towards the finish line in Ajdovščina.
At 23:30, 278 runners eager for the challenge set off into a clear but cold night on the 110-kilometre Centurion SCARPA course, accompanied by Lea’s aerial silk performance, the Roman army, and flaming torches.
On Saturday, 25 April, at 8:00, 561 runners started the 63-kilometre Gladiator KOLEKTOR race from Lavričev trg.
More than 850 runners then set off in two starting waves, at 9:30 and 9:45, towards the ridge of the Gora Plateau on the 30-kilometre Legionar MLINOTEST course. At 10:00, more than 120 hikers and lovers of Vipava wine and cuisine began the non-competitive Obelix Hike & Wine, a 10-kilometre walk among the vineyards.
Two more starts followed in the afternoon: the 15-kilometre Asterix LA PRIMAFIT, with more than 320 runners, and the 10-kilometre Castra Run FORD, which welcomed 130 short-distance runners.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere at the finish area continued to build as the first winners began crossing the finish line. The first to arrive was the winner of the Centurion 110 km, Janez Klančnik, with an exceptional time of 11 hours, 23 minutes, and 3 seconds. Seventeen minutes and 46 seconds later, Matic Čačulovič crossed the line in second place, while Ireland’s David Ryan finished third with a time of 12 hours, 19 minutes, and 32 seconds.
At 12:02, the first 30 km runner arrived in Ajdovščina: Italian runner and SCARPA athlete Lorenzo Beltrami, who set a new course record with a time of 2 hours, 32 minutes, and 57 seconds. He was followed on the podium by two Slovenian runners, second-placed Klemen Španring and third-placed Tine Žižmond.
On the Emperor PELICON course, Slovenian runner Ivan Hrastovec claimed victory this year with an outstanding time of 18 hours, 13 minutes, and 1 second. He was followed by local runners Andrej Nastran, who finished in 19 hours and 22 minutes, and two-time winner of previous editions Anže Sobočan, who crossed the finish line in 19 hours, 24 minutes, and 15 seconds.
In the women’s category, the Emperor title went to Croatia, claimed by Paula Vrdovljak. She completed the 100-mile distance in 23 hours, 7 minutes, and 59 seconds. She was joined on the podium by Slovenian runners Barbara Jolić, who finished in 23 hours, 51 minutes, and 25 seconds, and Tjaša Seliškar, who completed the race in 25 hours, 22 minutes, and 13 seconds.
On the Centurion SCARPA distance, Tina Šatej took the women’s victory for Slovenia with a time of 14 hours, 16 minutes, and 24 seconds. Italy’s Nicol Guidolin finished second in 14 hours, 48 minutes, and 53 seconds, while Slovenia’s Eva Urbanc took third place with a time of 15 hours, 31 minutes, and 32 seconds.
The Gladiator title was claimed by Portugal’s Hélio Fumo, who completed the 63 km course in 5 hours, 25 minutes, and 5 seconds. He was followed by Slovenians Jaka Oblak and local runner Marko Tratnik.
In the women’s category, victory went to Hungary’s Irén Tiricz, who finished in 6 hours, 19 minutes, and 50 seconds. Second and third place went to Slovenia’s Nina Sušnik Vrečič and Italy’s Clara Miani.
In the women’s category of the 30-kilometre Legionar MLINOTEST race, local runner Lucija Krkoč once again claimed victory, finishing in 2 hours, 53 minutes, and 24 seconds ahead of Klara Velepec and Dominika Zupančič Valant.
On the 15-kilometre Asterix LA PRIMAFIT course, Aleš Svetina won the men’s category, crossing the finish line in 58 minutes and 40 seconds. He was followed by Jernej Žnidaršič and Miha Romič. Among the women, Ana Čufer took the win with a time of 1 hour, 3 minutes, and 4 seconds, followed by Maruša Cijan Brkič and Julija Brus.
Later, three Roman historical reenactors in full battle equipment also joined the Asterix course and successfully completed it, some of them even twice.
On the shortest distance, the 10-kilometre Castra Run, local runner Tine Lavrenčič claimed victory with a time of 39 minutes and 37 seconds. He was joined at the finish line just a few minutes later by second-placed Nejc Hladnik and third-placed Klemen Štular.
In the women’s category, local runner Kristina Vanceta won with a time of 51 minutes and 48 seconds. She was followed by Julija Brecelj and Tana Zupanc.
The entire event could be followed via a live stream on the UTVV I Feel Slovenia event website.
Music, cheering along the course, food, and drinks at as many as 17 aid stations were provided by numerous local associations and more than 600 volunteers and external collaborators. UTVV I Feel Slovenia brings together the cooperation of six municipalities — Vipava, Ajdovščina, Nova Gorica, Comune di Gorizia, Šempeter-Vrtojba, and Miren-Kostanjevica — two tourism boards, Javni zavod za turizem Nova Gorica in Vipavska dolina and Javni zavod za turizem Miren Kras, and twenty local associations, with the main event hosted by the Municipality of Ajdovščina.
On the Obelix route and at Lavričev trg, winemakers and local food providers from the villages of the Vipava Valley were also part of the accompanying programme. As a prestigious wine destination, the Vipava Valley shone during the Obelix hike and wine tasting in the idyllic village of Vipavski Križ, located on a hill above the valley. Vipavski Križ is considered one of Slovenia’s most beautiful historical and cultural monuments and is a fully protected heritage settlement.
After the kilometres were conquered, Saturday evening brought celebration with local DJ Samo and Sláinte Ol’ Friend.
The award ceremony for the best runners on the 10, 15, 30, and 60 km courses took place on Saturday at 18:00, followed by the award ceremony for the top runners on the 110 and 160 km courses on Sunday at 11:00.
As has now become a tradition, UTVV I Feel Slovenia awarded the winners of the 30 and 60 km distances not only medals and prizes, but also a sword. The winners of the 110 and 160 km distances received, in addition to this, a warrior helmet. The Legionar, Gladiator, Centurion, and Emperor distances also included generous prize money.
After Sunday’s official award ceremony for the best runners, the special Vipava Valley All-Time Runner award, presented by Zavod za turizem Nova Gorica in Vipavska dolina, was awarded to the best and most loyal UTVV I Feel Slovenia runners across all eleven editions. Based on a combination of best results and the highest number of completed UTVV I Feel Slovenia races, the award was received for the second year in a row by Anže Sobočan and Petra Šček.
The stage then welcomed all those who had crossed the UTVV I Feel Slovenia finish line ten times. Andrej Curk, Vane Kralj, Marko Tratnik, and Andi Mamić received a special medal and award in recognition of their loyalty and perseverance.
This organizationally demanding event plays an important role in raising the profile of the destination, while placing sport and active tourism at the forefront — one of the key promotional themes of Slovenian tourism.
The naming partners of the event are the Slovenian Tourist Board, I Feel Slovenia, and the destination Vipava Valley.
The Emperor title was taken by the Ajdovščina-based company Mlinotest as the general partner, giving the event the title Powered by Mlinotest.
SCARPA remains the Centurion partner.
The Gladiator partners are once again local companies: Kolektor, Pelicon, and AL!VE.
This year, La Primafit became the energy partner.
Ford became the mobility partner.
The Legionar partners remain SportHG and OutVentureX.
The Asterix partners are local companies Primorska hranilnica Vipava, Ekstel, Fructal, and RacePace.
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Full results from all race distances
160 km, Emperor PELICON
Male
1. Ivan Hrastovec (SI), 18 h, 13 min, 1 sek
2. Andrej Nastran (SI), 19 h, 22 min
3. Anže Sobočan (SI), 19 h, 24 min, 15 sek
Female
1. Paula Vrdovljak (HR), 23 h, 7 min, 59 sek
2. Barbara Jolić (SI), 23 h, 51 min, 25 sek
3. Tjaša Seliškar (SI), 25 h, 22 min, 13 sek
110 km, Centurion SCARPA
Male
1. Janez Klančnik (SI), 11 h, 52 min, 55 sek
2. Matic Čačulovič (SI), 12 h, 10 min, 41 sek
3. David Ryan (IR), 12 h, 19 min, 32 sek
Female
1. Tina Šatej (SI), 14 h, 16 min, 24 sek
2. Nicol Guidolin (IT), 14 h, 48 min, 53 sek
3. Eva Urbanc (SI), 15 h, 31 min, 32 sek
60 km, Gladiator KOLEKTOR
Male
1. Hélio Fumo (PT), 5 h, 25 min, 9 sek
2. Jaka Oblak (SI), 5 h, 31 min, 25 sek
3. Marko Tratnik (SI), 5 h, 34 min, 44 sek
Female
1. Irén Tiricz (HU), 6 h, 19 min, 50 sek
2. Nina Sušnik Vrečič (SI), 6 ur, 47 min, 49 sek
3. Clara Miani (IT), 7 ur, 3 min, 45 sek
30 km, Legionar
Male
1. Lorenzo Beltrami (IT), 2 h, 32 min, 57 sek
2. Klemen Španring (SI), 2 h, 35 min, 48 sek
3. Tine Žižmond (SI), 2 h, 45 min, 33 sek
Female
1. Lucija Krkoč (SI), 2 h, 53 min, 24 sek
2. Klara Velepec (SI), 3 h, 8 min, 1 sek
3. Dominika Zupančič Valant (SI), 3h, 12 min, 58 sek
15 km, Asterix
Male
1. Aleš Svetina (SI), 58 min, 40 sek
2. Jernej Žnidaršič (SI), 1h, 00 min, 16 sek
3. Miha Romič (SI), 1h, 00 min, 45 sek
Female
1. Ana Čufer (SI), 1 h, 3 min, 4 sek
2. Maruša Cijan Brkič (SI), 1 h, 6 min, 32 sek
3. Julija Brus (SI), 1 h, 11 min, 19 sek
10 km, Castra City Run
Male
1. Tine Lavrenčič (SI), 39 min, 37 sek
2. Nejc Hladnik (SI), 43 min, 16 sek
3. Klemen Štular (SI), 43 min, 50 sek
Female
1. Kristina Vanceta (SI), 51 min 48 sek
2. Julija Brecelj (SI), 53 min, 52 sek
3. Tana Zupanc (SI), 54 min, 59 sek
