EMPEROR
Total length
Elevation
Time limit
Date
APRIL 25, 2025
QUO VADIS, EMPEROR?
CHALLENGE YOUR MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT. PUSH YOUR BOUNDARIES AND COMMIT TO SOMETHING BIGGER THAN YOURSELF. FIND THE WARRIOR WITHIN AND BECOME AN EMPEROR.
RACE IN NUMBERS
DATE
April 25, 2025
DISTANCE
164.7 km
ELEVATION
6400 m +/-
TIME LIMIT
46 hours
AID STATIONS
13
START TIME
19:00
START / FINISH
Ajdovščina
LOWEST POINT
58 m
HIGHEST POINT
1264 m
ITRA: 6
WSER: 2025
AATC: Ultra XL
ELEVATION PROFILE
ARE YOU READY TO PUSH YOURSELF
TO GO TO THE NEXT LEVEL AND BECOME AN EMPEROR?
REGISTER HERE
ENTRY FEES
| REGISTRATION BY DATE |
PRICE |
| pre-registration | 137 € |
| September 30, 2024 | 156 € |
| November 30, 2024 | 166 € |
| January 5, 2025 | 176 € |
| February 28, 2025 | 185 € |
| April 15, 2025 | 195 € |
GROUP DISCOUNT
| NUMBER OF PEOPLE |
DISCOUNT |
| 5 or more | 5% |
| 15 or more | 7% |
| 25 or more | 10% |
- The minimum number of runners for any distance is 5
- Group members can run different distances
- The price per runner is from 5 to 10% lower than individual registrations
- Please email us at info@ultratrail.si to receive further information
MAP
PATH DESCRIPTION
CLICK FOR DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The Emperor – UTVV 160 km route begins at the centre of Ajdovščina and follows a paved path along Hubelj toward the southern wine-growing hills. Along the way, it passes the picturesque church of Sv. Marjeta in Dolenje, and then continues to the Planina plateau, passing the Guerila estate.
The route continues by descending to the village of Slap, then crosses Lože (the 1st aid station) and Goče before reaching Podraga. The first significant climb to Socerb prepares the runners for the 1,000-meter ascent to the top of Nanos (1,262 m) – the 3rd aid station, after reaching the 2nd aid station in Podnanos.
The trail goes through Nanos, passing the Abram Tourist Farm and the chapel above Plaz, and then descends into the valley where the 4th aid station on the Main Square in Vipava welcomes the runners. After a short flat section, the second ascent of the race follows towards Kovk (961 m). This is followed by a picturesque crossing of one of the most beautiful ridge trails in Slovenia – Angelska Gora (the 5th aid station – Otlica) that ends with the ascent to Čaven (1242 m). After Čaven, the Emperor route continues towards Mala Gora (the 6th aid station) and Kucelj (1237 m).
The final 1000-meter mountain leads the runners to a beautiful church on a rocky cliff, where the 7th aid station, Vitovlje, is located. The route continues through Šmihel, past Lijak, and via Prevala (the 8th aid station). It then goes through the WW1 tunnel and finally reaches the top of Sveta Gora, with its illuminated shrine that acts as a beacon at night. From there, the route descends to Solkan and continues towards Nova Gorica along the border with Italy.
The route crosses the national border at Trg Evrope, climbs the Goriška Castle in Stara Gorica (Italian: Gorizia), and returns to Slovenia across the Rožna Dolina border crossing (the 9th aid station). The route then continues through Šempeter-Vrtojba field, right next to the border with Italy, towards Miren, to Cerje (the 10th aid station), and along the ridge below Trstelj reaches the village of Tabor nad Dornberkom (the 11th aid station).
The Branik Castle is located at 150 km. The final 20 km of the route follows the picturesque Preserje-Planina ridge, where the 13th aid station is located. The trail then descends past the village of Planina and finishes in Ajdovščina, following the paved path along the Hubelj River.
The UTVV ultramarathon challenge takes place in the valley where one of the most important battles of the late Roman period occurred. This battle, known as the Battle of the Frigidus, happened in 394. It was fought between the army of the Eastern Emperor Theodosius I and the army of the Western Roman ruler Eugenius. Theodosius’ victory united the Roman Empire under one emperor for the last time in history and solidified the dominance of Christianity in Europe.
TIME LIMITS
| DISTANCE |
TIME LIMIT |
| E4 (49 km) Vipava | 12.5 hours (at 07:30 – Saturday) |
| E10 (122 km) Cerje | 33 hours (at 04:00 – Sunday) |
| E12 (144 km) Branik | 40 hours (at 11:00 – Sunday) |
| FINISH (165 km) Ajdovščina | 46 hours (at 17:00 – Sunday) |
AID STATIONS
| AID STATION – AS |
KM | KM FROM LAST AS |
| Ajdovščina | 0 | 0 |
| Lože | 13 | 13 |
| Podnanos | 22 | 9 |
| Nanos | 31 | 9 |
| Vipava | 49 | 18 |
| Otlica | 62 | 13 |
| Mala Gora | 72 | 10 |
| Vitovlje | 81 | 9 |
| Prevala | 93.5 | 12.5 |
| Gorica | 107 | 13.5 |
| Cerje | 122 | 15 |
| Tabor | 137 | 15 |
| Branik | 146 | 9 |
| Planina | 159 | 13 |
| Ajdovščina | 165 | 6 |
REFRESHMENT & CHECKPOINTS
- The trail is equipped with 13 refreshment/aid stations and several hidden time checkpoints
- At the refreshment stations, runners can refuel with drinks and food, and fill their bottles with liquid to sustain their run
- At the aid stations Otlica (62 km) and Cerje (122 km) the hot meal with meat/vegan/gluten-free options is prepared for Emperor 160 km runners
- The aid stations Otlica (62 km) and Cerje (122 km) are also the transition/drop bag aid stations
- The aid stations Vipava (49 km), Cerje (122 km), and Branik (144 km) have time limits
- Waste should be disposed of only at the checkpoints and refreshment stations only
- Drinks, light meals and hot meals with meat/vegan/gluten-free options are prepared for all runners at the finish line
EQUIPMENT TRANSITION
Upon receiving your BIB number, you can obtain 3 designated bags for personal equipment:
– The 1st transition/drop bag for UTVV160 will be available at E05 – Otlica (62 km)
– The 2nd transtition/drop bag for UTVV160 will be available at E10 – Cerje (122 km)
– The 3rd bag will be waiting in the finish area
All bags must be submitted at the BIB distribution in Ajdovščina on Friday, at least one (1) hour before the start.
MANDATORY EQUIPMENT
| EQUIPMENT | 160 – EMPEROR |
| The BIB number on the front side and always visible | + |
| Water bottle (camel bag, bottle, soft flask etc.) | + |
| Drinking cup | + |
| Survival blanket | + |
| First aid kit with a bandage, gauze, and patches | + |
| Wind jacket | + |
| Whistle | + |
| Mobile phone | + |
| Headlamp with a spare battery | + |
| Running shoes | + |
| Clothing suitable for winter conditions (from -3° C to 30° C), in case of strong wind (speed over 100 km/h) | + |
| Energy food | + |
| Sun protection | o |
| Running poles | o |
+ Mandatory gear
o Recommended gear
Make sure you have all the required equipment when you collect your BIB number. If anything is missing, you won’t receive your race number. If your required equipment is incomplete or not shown when requested along the race route, you will be disqualified immediately. Random checks will be conducted during the race.
TRANSPORTATION
If you choose to withdraw from the race, you can do this at any aid station. From there, the pick-up shuttle will transfer you back to the finish area.
FEE INCLUDES
IN THE MONTHS BEFORE THE RACE
- free webinars on how to train and prepare for UTVV with UESCA coach and team organizers
- free 1-day UTVV training tours/recces with experienced local trail running guides from October to March in Vipava Valley
- a possibility to join us on multi-day recces in Vipava Valley
- inspirational, educational and entertaining content on our socials
- newsletter with all the information about the race
- a race guide with all the information needed for runners and supporters, published two weeks before the race
RACE WEEK
- personalized BIB number with an RFID time-keeping tag
- starter goodie bag with the official UTVV technical race T-shirt, gifts and souvenirs
- GPS trackers for the Emperor 160 km and Centurion 110 km runners
- drop bags at the transition aid stations for the Emperor 160 km (2) and Centurion 110 km (1) race
- Emperor 160 km (2) and Centurion 110 km (1) drop bags transfer back to the finish line in Ajdovščina
- finish bags for all races
- aid stations with a variety of drinks and food approximately every 12 km
- hot meals for Emperor 160 km (2) and Centurion 110 km (1) race
- a hot meal at the finish line in Ajdovščina for all runners
- showers, changing room and a quiet room for resting near the finish area
- medical first aid in the finish area and at specified aid stations
- live timekeeping, interim times, and results
- a pick-up shuttle for each runner that drops out at aid stations
AFTER THE RACE
-
- a Roman medal of honour for all finishers
- a Roman ring of honour for all Emperor 160 km finishers
- a downloadable finisher certificate
- a deep knowing and, of course, the right to brag you are a warrior
- a Roman medal of honour for all finishers
CATEGORIES
| WOMEN | MEN |
| up to 34 years | up to 34 years |
| 35 to 49 years | 35 to 49 years |
| 50 to 59 years | 50 to 59 years |
| over 60 years | over 60 years |
AWARDS
The first three in the absolute category will be awarded trophies and prizes.
The Organizer reserves the right to make changes.
TESTIMONIALS
The nature, trails and views are breathtaking 
It was the perfect choice for my 1st 100 miler. Also organized very well and the volunteers were very helpful as well.
The people, the nature with the beautiful trails, the organization with their volunteers…. they create an unique atmosphere during the whole event..!
Love to go back again ❤️
Thanks and greetings!
Awesome race, awesome places, the nature, the mountains… so everything. The UTVV staff were also amazing. Thanks for the smiles 
HALL OF FAME
| Male | Female | |
| 1. | Aleš Frlic (SI) – 19:06:52 | Esther Fellhofer (AT) – 23:15:04 |
| 2. | Anže Sobočan (SI) – 19:44:41 | Zuzana Matúšová (SK) – 25:54:29 |
| 3. | Aleš Svetina (SI) – 20:27:55 | Tjaša Seliškar (SI) – 26:37:39 |
| Male | Female | |
| 1. | Anže Sobočan (SI) – 22:32:27 | Esther Fellhofer (AT) – 24:33:21 |
| 2. | Andi Mamić (SI) – 24:02:23 | Cornelia Oswald (AT) – 26:24:40 |
| 3. | Johan Fernandez (FR) – 24:24:36 | Nataša Robnik (SI) – 27:02:34 |
| Male | Female | |
| 1. | Anže Sobočan (SI) – 22:13:13 | Martina Dvorakova (CZ) – 26:13:03 |
| 2. | Andi Mamić (SI) – 23:41:13 | Claire Bannwarth (FR) – 27:10:05 |
| 3. | Niko Golob (SI) – 23:58:17 | Mahya Karbalaii (IR) – 27:52:11 |
| Male | Female | |
| 1. | Roman Ficek (PL) – 20:00:24 | Timea Losonc (HU) – 28:21:48 |
| 2. | Galen Reynolds (CA) – 21:43:42 | Anita Szimandl (AT) – 29:05:29 |
| 3. | Matej Ivančić (HR) – 22:30:42 | Mladenka Buić (HR) – 39:08:45 |
| Male | Female | |
| 1. | Ivan Hrastovec (SI) – 21:04:21 | Francesca Canepa (IT) – 26:21:46 |
| 2. | Jarek Gonczarenko (PL) – 21:49:05 | Anita Szimandl (HU) – 29:38:47 |
| 3. | Andi Mamić (SI) – 22:26:30 | Marija Trontelj (SI) – 30:03:10 |
TRACK RECORDS
Aleš Frlic (SI)
19:06:52 (2024)
Esther Fellhofer (AT)
23:15:04 (2024)