The first-ever Archipelago Trail Run wrapped up this past weekend, featuring over 600 race starts from runners coming from 18 countries, across two days of thrilling races on the islands of Dugi Otok, Ugljan, and Pašman. Participants enjoyed ideal weather, a scenic catamaran ride to the race start, and breathtaking trails. At the finish line, the local community welcomed runners with delicious meals and live music, creating a vibrant, unforgettable atmosphere that perfectly captured the spirit of the islands.
Preko, October 22, 2024
There’s nothing like a morning run
The Archipelago Trail Run launched with excitement as runners embraced breathtaking courses across three beautiful islands. The event kicked off on Saturday with a thrilling catamaran ride to Sali, Dugi Otok. The first race began at 8:15 AM with the 35 km Lurbel Long Trail, followed by the 20 km race at 9:30 AM and the 10 km route at 10:30 AM.
Sunday’s 45 km Lurbel Long Trail welcomed runners with a breathtaking sunrise painting the sky at 7:00 AM. Participants in the shorter routes had the luxury of sleeping in a bit longer, starting their running adventures a few hours later.
Runners praise the event trails and local cuisine
Over two days, participants explored the breathtaking trails of Ugljan, Pašman, and Dugi Otok, traversing some of the most scenic paths in the Zadar Archipelago, including the famous Telašćica Nature Park on Dugi Otok and the historic St. Michael’s Fortress on Ugljan.
The event was praised not only for its spectacular routes but also for its seamless organisation. Runners expressed their delight at the well-marked trails, smooth logistics, and the warm hospitality extended by the local community. Special mention was made of the local cooks, who prepared delicious meals at the finish line, offering a true taste of Croatian island cuisine that left participants raving.
Premiere event brimming with international spirit
With over 600 race starts from runners of 18 different nationalities, including the United States, Finland, Australia, and Portugal, the first-ever Archipelago Trail Run truly lived up to its international billing. Slovenians and Croatians made up a significant portion of the competitors, accounting for around 70 % of the participants, but the rest of the runners truly brought a vibrant international running spirit to the islands.
A two-stage challenge for the bold
Runners had the unique option to compete in one stage—either Saturday on Dugi Otok or Sunday on Ugljan and Pašman—or, for the more adventurous, both stages across the two days. Impressively, almost half of the participants took on the full two-stage challenge, pushing their limits on both days.
The event featured three main trail categories: the 10 km, 20 km Middle Trail, and the 35—and 45 km Lurbel Long Trail. Each offered a distinct experience of the Zadar Archipelago’s rugged landscapes and breathtaking views.
Winners who dominated the Archipelago
The winners of the premiere Archipelago Trail Run embodied the true spirit of endurance and camaraderie, tackling the two-stage race with remarkable speed and enthusiasm. Despite already feeling heavy-legged from the first day, all runners crossed the finish line beaming with joy, celebrating their achievements and congratulating one another. Their spirit highlighted the event’s sense of community, proving that the journey and the company on the trails were just as rewarding as crossing the finish line itself.
Archipelago Trail Run 2024 results:
Lurbel Long Trail (35 km + 45 km):
Men:
- Štular Klemen (3:24:44, 4:15:57) (Slovenia)
- Csuth Tamas (3:41:12, 4:26:06) (Hungary)
- Placko Martin (3:53:12, 4:34:48) (Slovakia)
Women:
- Klančnik Potrč Martina (4:00:07, 4:17:52) (Slovenia)
- Oswald Cornelia (3:51:08, 4:45:25) (Austria)
- Kožar Jerneja (4:33:55, 5:29:24) (Slovenia)
Middle Trail (20 km + 20 km):
Men:
- Bartolotti Enrico (2:08:04, 1:40:04) (Italy)
- Proietti Simone (2:26:19, 1:46:19) (Italy)
- Kligl Damir (2:24:35, 1:53:08) (Croatia)
Women:
- Špela Sajovic (2:53:54, 2:08:57) (Slovenia)
- Fabiani Elena (3:05:50, 2:13:48) (Italy)
- Grm Ksenija (3:11:48, 2:24:27) (Slovenia)
Short Trail (10 km + 10 km):
Men:
- Vinco Daniel (39:23, 57:34) (Italy)
- Appio Nicola (46:48, 1:07:04) (Italy)
- Mucha Tomasz (49:24, 1:11:36) (Poland)
Women:
- Jus Petrovic Amanda (46:04, 1:09:38) (Slovenia)
- Pogačar Petra (53:57, 1:17:26) (Slovenia)
- Gubiani Anna (53:42, 1:19:16) (Italy)
Many played a part in creating this event
The success of the event was made possible by the invaluable support of its partners, including the Zadar region, Zadar archipelago and the local tourist organisations from Ugljan, Pašman, and Dugi Otok. Their collaboration beautifully showcased the islands’ charm and hospitality. A heartfelt thank you goes to Lurbel for providing top-notch gear for the runners and to the enthusiastic volunteers whose help made the event unforgettable for the runners.
Luka Hren, event organiser:
“Reflecting on the first edition of the Archipelago Trail Run, I am filled with pride at what we accomplished! We saw over 600 race starts from runners coming from 18 different countries, and the feedback has been incredibly positive. While we were worried about Saturday’s predicted rain, the weather turned out to be much better than expected, and Sunday offered ideal sunny conditions that we all enjoyed. The spirit and enthusiasm from the participants truly brought the event to life, and it was heartwarming to see everyone enjoying the beautiful trails together. Thank you to everyone who joined us – see you again next year!”