The legendary Lavaredo Ultra Trail race in the Dolomites has excited runners even more this year. The race was named after the famous Tre Cine peaks (Tre Cime di Lavaredo), which the route surrounds. This year's 14th edition was full of emotions, expectations and positive energy, which is logical, given the long competitive "fast" since the beginning of the epidemic. Runners were able to compete in four categories in the picturesque Dolomites: 120 km, 80 km, 48 km and 20 km. More than 3,200 runners gathered in the pearl of the Dolomites, in Cortina d'Ampezzo in Italy. It is incredible that there were as many as 64 Slovenians at the start and when meeting with running friends, the slogan was present: "FINALLY the race, FINALLY the action and FINALLY we'll see each other again!"

This year, 1,357 runners from all over the world took part in the longest and most demanding event, including 152 women. There were 20 Slovenians at the start, but of course the Italians dominated. The route is 120 kilometers long and the runners have to overcome a total of approximately 5,800 meters of positive elevation gain. In accordance with the measures, the organizers divided the runners into three groups of 450 runners according to ITRA points, which started with a 10-minute delay. Nevertheless, the night start of each group was full of energy and cheering!

The course itself is probably one of the most beautiful in this sport. The first part from the start is run at night, so runners run from the start with headlamps. With the morning dawn, a fairy-tale landscape opens up. The Tre Cime, the Val de Travenazes valley, the Cinque Torri and all the other natural gems of this group of Dolomites force runners to forget about the effort and long kilometers of night running. The striking three-thousanders, with their vertical walls and sharp stumps, such as Cristallo, Passo Tre Croci, Lago di Sorapiss, Antelao, Tofane, Croda dei Toni, Cima Undici, just beckon runners forward; on Forcella Col dei Bos (2331m), the highest Marmolada also appears, as well as Forcella Giao (2360m), Forcella Ambrizola (2277m) and others. Along the way, runners are almost constantly accompanied by water sources, especially this year, which makes everything invigorating and enriching. The event is very recognizable, almost every passerby encourages the runners, and at certain points the atmosphere is fantastic, which also applies to the start and finish.

831 runners (61%) crossed the finish line, including 101 women. The fastest runner this year was German Hannes Namberger, who completed the 120-kilometer course in 12:02:12 (average speed 10 km/h). The women's race was won by Frenchwoman Camille Bruyas, with a time of 14:06:16 (average speed 8.6 km/h). Azara Storm was in fourth place (21st place overall) with a time of 15:03:40 (average speed 8 km/h).

Among the Slovenians, Velibor JOVANOVIC performed best, taking 34th place among men with a time of 16:18, and Bogdana KRAŠOVEC, who took 25th place among women with a time of 20:55. All members of the Slovenian team #UTVV Race Team SportHG, Andi, Anja and Tomi, participated in the La sportiva lavaredo ultra trail (LUT) race for the first time and successfully completed it. Andi was the second fastest Slovenian with a time of 17 hours and 17 minutes in 57th place among men, and Anja was the third fastest Slovenian woman with a time of 24 hours and 50 minutes in 65th place among women.

Andes:

LUT completely met my expectations, I came to the race well prepared, aware of my range, so I still left some reserves for the second time :). Despite the decision not to take this race too competitively, I had my crises, and the whole challenge still exhausted me, and there are many factors for that. Above all, I got good information for my ambitions for the rest of the season - at the end of August I will have a 3 times longer distance, with 4 to 5 times more altitude difference and all other conditions. I will definitely come back to LUT...

Anya:

The announcement that there would be a race surprised me and of course encouraged me to train. I know very little about the Dolomites, which is perhaps why I couldn't wait to experience them. I have never been so excited about the next climb with legendary peaks, the next descent with a new river crossing or the next pass with a new view of extraordinary beauty. The night part was quite cold, but the full moon illuminated Cristallino d'Ampezzo so much that I couldn't wait for the morning. There are really no words to describe this trail - it is beautiful, but at the same time difficult. The technicality increased with each kilometer and did not let up until the end. The trail is also special because of the large number of runners, so you are practically never alone on the course; and along the course and the continuous guidance of passers-by and volunteers. The best thing was meeting Slovenians, smiling and motivated. 100 km before the last difficult climb to the Averau hut at 2413 meters, and the Forcella Giau pass followed. Then the final part was enriched by a storm and accelerated our descent through Modeval to the Rifgua Croda da Lago and into Cortina d'Ampezzo. The arrival at the finish line is unforgettable, especially the ultra experience in such a unique landscape.

Tommy:

After a year and a half without a race, I had to make a plan in my head on how to prepare for this challenge, but I surprised myself with how relaxed and on time I organized everything. The weather forecast was also ideal and I simplified everything and packed only the bare essentials into my backpack, which turned out to be completely enough, or even too much. Next time I will only eat bread and some Frutabella and drink Cedevita, and at the refreshment stands I will have a glass of Coke. Maybe this will convince my stomach not to nauseate like it did this time, when it protested probably mainly because of the faster pace and the heat. But this did not diminish my deep experience of the beautiful nature and the towering peaks of the mighty Dolomites. And to conclude, the best part: running hand in hand through the storm to the finish line of our first Lavaredo Ultra Trail.

The main winners of other matches:

80 km: Marek CAUSIDIS (8:10), Martina VALMASSOI (9:21), Slovenians - Matic ČAČULOVIČ (9:04), Maja DOBOVSEK ZARNIK (15:49)

48 km: Antonio MARTÍNEZ PÉREZ (4:17), Elisa DESCO (5:06), Slovenians - Marko KOBOLD (6:23), Maja DOLINSEK (7:51)

20 km: Alex GARCIA CARRILLO (1:32) Marta FABRIS (1:57), Slovenians - Luka MILINKOVIC (1:59), Tina KORENČ (3:18)

Congratulations to all the runners – you are all winners!

You can see detailed results here: https://lavaredo.livetrail.net/classement.php

The note was prepared by Anja Klančnik.

All UTVV Race Team SportHG athletes used the following clothing during the race:

Pro Team Air (women)
Pro Team Light (men)
Dales women's /men's tight shorts
Altair shorts
Naos running skirt
Shell / Dune socks

The Pro Team line of shorts is purpose-built for longer ultra distances, featuring excellent moisture wicking, excellent compression, and a zipper that can be opened for better body breathability.

Dales compression shorts provide grip to the body and, with the help of carbon fibers (2%), calm the static electricity generated during movement.

Altair are shorts with a sewn-in elastic insert that grips the thigh for better compression. The women's version is the Naos running skirt.

On the Lavaredo Ultra Trail, it is mandatory to have clothes in your backpack that cover the entire body. However, since we will not be dragging long leggings with us in high summer temperatures, Shell socks are an excellent choice. protect against the cold and provide muscle protection.

All SportHG clothing has a UV factor of 40+, which means that it does not let in sunlight and always protects us from UV radiation, even when it is very strong.