Join extreme triathlon in Julian Alps, explore Istria on bike
Bohinj, 20 September - Outdoor sports lovers are invited this week to participate in an extreme triathlon in the Julian Alps, a cycling marathon across the picturesque Slovenian Istria, a run in the centre of Kranj and an unusual challenge involving mountain running, mountain biking and paragliding.
Bohinj
Lake Bohinj
Photo: Tinkara Zupan/STA
The AlpineMan Xtreme Triathlon on Saturday is a "challenge of iron length taking place in the heart of the Julian Alps, in the north-west of Slovenia", the organisers say.
The competitors will start the challenge in Ukanc with a 3.8km swim across Lake Bohinj, Slovenia's largest permanent lake.
They will then hop on bicycles for a 180 km ride across the forested Pokljuka plateau and over the country's highest mountain road pass Vršič, to the valley of the Soča River.
The third, running part (43 km) will start in the village of Kamno, continuing to Tolmin and followed by a climb to Mt Vogel (1,922 m) and a descent back to Ukanc, concluding on the eastern coast of Bohinj Lake.
Those who would only ride bicycles are invited to the Istria Cycling Marathon on the same day, with the longest race taking the participants on a 77-km ride across the Slovenian Istria from Portorož and back.
Runners are meanwhile invited to the Run for Kranj, also taking place on Saturday, which is part of the Kranj Sport Festival and features a 3.3-km route in the city centre. You can take one lap or three laps.
The organisers "expect at least 500 runners and at least a few more girls than last year's fifty who had to run separately, but this year they don't have to". The event will also feature a humanitarian run of male trios.
Extreme sports lovers are invited on the same day to the Champion of Julian Alps event in Kranjska Gora, an ultimate extreme challenge in which "mountain biking, mountain running and paragliding join forces".
"A spectacular test of strength, endurance, and team spirit. Three disciplines, three athletes, one team. Forty two kilometres, 2,144 metres of ascent", the organisers say.
Another event of note is the 5th Slovenske Konjice Marathon on Sunday, an event known for its slogan "A Marathon with a Soul". It was the best-ranked running event by the Athletics Association of Slovenia in 2015.
The runners will compete in a 5-km, 10-km and 21-km runs, and two short humanitarian runs will also be organised.