Ultra Trail Vipava Valley I Feel Slovenia

Technicality: The terrain at UTVV is very similar to Alsace in terms of how runnable it is, but with more rugged sections mixed in. You get a lot of flowing trails where you can move well, but also technical, rocky, and sometimes muddy sections that force you to slow down and think. The Centurion route in particular is very scenic. It starts in the centre of Ajdovščina, follows the Hubelj river, and moves through vineyards, ridgelines, and alpine plateaus. The climbs up to Nanos and along the ridge towards Čaven are proper efforts, but the views make it worth it. It is the kind of course where rhythm matters, but so does restraint.

Shoes / poles / pack: Hoka Tecton and Prodigio Pros, Leki Super light

Views and Vibes: The Centurion route in particular is very scenic. It starts in the centre of Ajdovščina, follows the Hubelj river, and moves through vineyards, ridgelines, and alpine plateaus.

Logistics: Flying into Venice is the easiest option, followed by a transfer into Slovenia. I took a shared taxi from Venice to Ajdovščina, which was by far the most convenient choice. Race organisation is solid overall. Bib collection happens at the sports centre in Ajdovščina, and everything is fairly central once you are there. One small issue I had was with the race tracker, which was a bit unreliable at times and needed fixing during the race. Camping works well for flexibility, local airbnbs are affordable and convenient

What surprised them: One of the best parts about UTVV is how reasonable it is cost wise compared to other big ultras.  You get a high quality race, great scenery, and a more relaxed atmosphere without the premium pricing. On the miler, it was my first miler and cold hit hard about 30 hours in.  I ran the entire race in just a t shirt and shorts, even as temperatures dropped. I kept telling myself I was almost there. I was not. The cold hit hard. My body shut down, legs stiffened, and I found myself dealing with the early stages of hypothermia. That final stretch took over four hours. Normally, 15 kilometers would be nothing, but this turned into pure survival mode.

One Tip for Runners: Strong first 140K does not guarantee an easy finish - Cold management is critical in long mountain races. Weather and gear mistakes can completely change the race. Stay in Ajdovščina, getting there is relatively straightforward but requires a bit of planning.  Public transport is possible, but it involves multiple transfers and takes significantly longer, so take shared taxi. Map out clothing for the hours on trail and weather as it can get cold.