SUCCESSFUL 47th ŠMARNA GORA RACE IS BEHIND US
Klara Velepec Claims Her Second Victory in Two Days
In the women's race, Klara Velepec once again took centre stage, having won the 30th Šmarna Gora Record race just a day earlier with a new course record.
She quickly demonstrated her ambitions on Sunday's considerably longer course as well. By the first intermediate timing point on Grmada, she had already built a lead of approximately one minute over her closest rivals.
She successfully maintained her advantage all the way to the finish line, claiming victory at the summit of Šmarna Gora in 52:08. Italy's Arianna Del Pino (53:46) finished second, while Hungary's Kitti Posztos (55:05) took third place.
Velepec therefore completed this year's mountain running weekend on Šmarna Gora in perfect fashion – with two races and two victories.
On Sunday, September 27, 2026, we successfully held the 47th Šmarna Gora Race. This traditional mountain running event once again brought together outstanding Slovenian and international runners, who competed on the demanding 10-kilometre course over Grmada to the summit of Šmarna Gora.
The runners were greeted by almost ideal conditions. At the start in Tacen, the valley was still covered in morning fog, while the sun was already shining on Grmada and Šmarna Gora.
Klara Velepec heading towards another victory
Arianna Del Pino had to settle for the silver medal once again
Kitti Posztos completed an identical podium to Saturday's Record race
Klara celebrates another victory
Italian One-Two Finish in the Men's Race
Sunday's men's race was also dominated by a strong Italian contingent.
Lorenzo Cagnati claimed victory, completing the 10-kilometre course in 42:56. Saturday's winner, Tiziano Moia, finished just behind him in 43:06, having relentlessly chased the leader on the final climb but ultimately falling just short. Klemen Španring (43:36) secured an excellent third place.
Slovenian runners were particularly well represented among the frontrunners this year. Rok Bratina finished 5th, Jaka Bostner 7th, Tadej Serdinšek 8th, Matej Letojne 9th, and Anže Mošnik 10th. With Klemen Španring also on the podium, an impressive six Slovenian runners finished in the top ten.
Lorenzo Cagnati had to work hard to secure his victory in the end
This time, Tiziano Moia found himself in the role of the main challenger
Klemen Španring gave everything he had, earning him third place
Martin Nilsson (SWE) contributed to the strong international field
Rok Bratina finished fifth, significantly improving his personal best
Some runners made it to the summit with a smile
The top 15 men
The top 10 women
Young Runners Take on the 5 km Course
An important part of Sunday's programme was also dedicated to the younger age categories.
In the junior men's race, Žiga Jan Novak claimed a convincing victory on the 4.8-kilometre course, while Manca Mlekuž was the fastest among the junior women. Both established substantial leads over their closest rivals, confirming that Slovenian mountain running has a very promising generation of young athletes.
Žiga Jan Novak
Manca Mlekuž
The youngest and smallest runners receive the biggest chocolate bars
All that energy will soon be replenished!
Thank You to Everyone Who Was Part of Šmarna Gora 2026
With the final runners crossing the finish line, we successfully brought the 47th chapter of the Šmarna Gora Race to a close.
We are delighted that, even after almost five decades, the event remains a meeting point for Slovenian and international mountain running, attracting elite athletes, recreational runners, and young talents who return to Šmarna Gora year after year.
Our sincere congratulations go to everyone who stood on the starting line and successfully completed one of the courses at this year's Šmarna Gora Race.
We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the volunteers, race officials, rescue teams, partners, sponsors, spectators, and everyone else involved, without whom organising such an event would not be possible.
Thank you for being part of the 47th Šmarna Gora Race. We look forward to seeing you again next year!
Winners of the combined competition
Another successful edition organised by Tomo Šarf
RACE VIDEO - LIVESTREAM
MAIN INFORMATION
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27.09.2026
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“A” - 0,65 km, +80 m/-3 m
“B” - 2,5 km, +245 m/-30 m
“C” - 5 km, +405 m/-50 m
“D” - 10 km, +705 m/-350 m (World Cup)
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START: Saddle (course A - 0.65 km)
8:55 - JUNIORS W/M (U12)
9:00 - JUNIORS W/M (U14)
START: Chapel (course B - 2.5 km)
9:00 - JUNIORS (U16)
START: Rocen (course C - 5 km)
9:00 - YOUTHS (U20)
9:00 - MASTERS W/M 3 (60+)
START: Rocen (course D - 10 km)
9:10 - SENIOR (U40)
9:10 - MASTERS W/M 1 (40-49)
9:10 - MASTERS W/M 2 (50-59)
COURSE
The main point of the Šmarna Gora Race route is a kind of spiral that goes around Šmarna gora via Grmada in a counterclockwise direction.
10 KM
+705 M
-350 M
NUMBER PICKUP AND START
You can pick up your start number at the starting area at the “Rocen” athletic stadium, next to the police academy. You can also drop off your luggage there to be able to get fresh clothes on the finish line at the top of Šmarna gora.
FINISH LINE
The finish line of all courses is at the top of Šmarna gora. Next to it, you will find your luggage, hot tea, cakes, and plenty of other sweets as well. The results will also be announced and awards will be presented at the top.
“WMRA GREATEST RACE OF ALL TIMES”
In 2020, the World Mountain Running Association surveyed the “greatest mountain race of all time.” The survey included races chosen by runners and organizers. Anyone could participate in the online voting.
TOMO ŠARF
"In the competition of races from all over the world, we certainly have the smallest race in terms of the number of participants and budget. Last but not least, also in terms of the size of our "mountain", which fortunately does not allow for a mass event. Although we won! Our race has its soul, there is also a team behind it that raised it to first place in the first selection for the best mountain run in the world, which will remain written in the history of mountain running in the whole world.”
EXHIBITION OF THE ŠMARNA GORA RACE
You can see the exhibition live in the gallery (within the walls) on Šmarna gora.
The first edition of Šmarna Gora Race (November 18th, 1979) – team of organizers.
Tomo Šarf, initiator and organizer of the Šmarna Gora Race and long-time leader of Slovenian mountain running association (photo from the first edition).
During the first editions of the Race, badges were very popular – 1980-81-82.
... and in the mid 90s
Terezija and Blaž GEČ participated in the first 19 runs. Until 1990, the Race was a purely local event. In 1992 it hosted the national championship.
The first edition of Šmarna Gora Record (June 2, 1991). For a decade, there was an idea of how fast it is possible to ascend to Šmarna Gora. Roman Hojak won.
Medal of the Record from 2019.
After 1991, 4 years passed for Record to transform into its current form.
The leader among organizers of the Šmarna Gora Rekord - Boštjan Novak – photographed with Nuša from Šmarna Gora.
Between 2011 and 2015, the Record was a race with an individual start - like time trial.
The traditional date for the Record was the first Saturday in February. Weather conditions at this time vary from year to year.
Mainly because of this unpredictability, we changed the date to June in 2016.
The start of the Record is at the foot and the beginning of the most visited path to Šmarna gora.
Children overcome a nearly 2 km long course with 360 meters of elevation gain at a non-competitive pace.
In 2020, Record was postponed to October due to extraordinary circumstances.
2009 and 2010 Record - Tadej Pogačar gained his first experience on the slopes of Šmarna gora.
A collection of Tadej's winning bikes and trophies from the 2024 season. The green bike on the back right is his first racing bike.
Among Slovenians, the record of the Record was set twice in a row by Timotej Bečan from Medvode(2019 - 11:13; 2020 - 11:12).
For several years, the record was owned by Eritrean Petro Mamu.
The absolute fastest time ever is held by Filimon Abraham who was the first to broke the barrier of 11 minutes in 9th October 2020.
Best results of Record - men.
Best results of Record - women.
Medal of the Record, which is awarded to the best in recent years.
Medal of the Challenge, for which the best Slovenian mountain bikers and runners fought in 2001 - 2004.
Mountain biker or mountain runner - who can reach the top faster? This was a dilemma that brought to the organization of “Šmarna Gora Challenge”.
"Šmarna Gora Challenge" - the first edition was won by the cyclist Jure Golčer, one of the best "climbers" in the world at the time. Together with Boštjan Novak, one of our best mountain runners at the time.
Results of the Šmarna Gora Challenge
Latest medal of the Šmarna Gora Race.
Lado Urh won the first edition of the Šmarna Gora Race. In the following years, he participated 12 times.
Lucio Fregona (ITA) spread the name abroad. He won consequently in the years between 1994 and 1997. Between 1994 and 2015, he participated 11 times. In 1995, he was even world champion.
Danny Hughes - co-founder, general secretary, and later president of the WMRA was a regular guest at Šmarna Gora Race.
Danny & Tomo - on the hills surrounding Šmarna gora, they got ideas about the global development of mountain running.
Mountain running is pure joy: Bojan Kožuh
Matic Plaznik on his backyard.
"Push, push, push!" - Tine Habjan
Our mountain (masters) legend Miran Cvet takes every race very serious.
Gašper Bregar – it's difficult, but come on...
In the end, Peter who is smiling in this photo, finished in front off the competitors. Obviously he already knew why he was smiling.
The "audience" silently cheers the runners who come by – Žiga Tršek
When a runner pins his start number on his chest, there is no friendship anymore!
With a smile towards the finish line: Anton Derganc, 11x on Šmarna gora
Alice Gaggi - 8 participations on Šmarna gora. She won in 2013, just a month after becoming a world champion.
Mateja KOSOVELJ – 8 victories in junior races and youth category and 2012 in the senior race. She still holds the Slovenian record for Rekord with a time of 13:18 (2006).
"Where the hell is that damn finish line?" - Isaac Kosgei
Thank God there was no mud on the track...
The start of the junior race
The start of the junior race
A finish like this will stay remembered for the rest of your life: Ana Milovič
Sweet prizes await the best on children's trails.
Masters of downhills running together, but on the finish line - first - Tekle, second Teklay, third Baldaccini.
Forever second: Azeyra Teklay was second in 2012 and 2013 and returned (with a new haircut) in 2018. He was also second at the World Championships in 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2014.
Masters of downhills - downhill could be like ballet: Marco Leoni
Masters of downhills - Jože Čeh
Masters of downhills - Mitja Kosovelj - some people are simply born for it.
Geofferey Gikuni Ndungu - 3rd place in 2018...
... and now he successfully manages the Run2gether training camp in Kenya.
Masters of downhills - Emanuele Manzi
Masters of downhills - Eris Costa – sometimes strange things happen to you while running.
Masters of downhills - Emma Clayton – one of the best.
Not for every excellent mountain runner is suited for descents: Simon Alič
Finish line – in the end, everyone is happy, the winners: Aleša Lotrič Dolinar and Maja Mali
Finish line – together on the course, together at the finish line: Marija Trontelj and Branko Vrečar
Finish line – it was worth struggling a bit: Tamara Čelesnik
Finish line – in 2000, Emanuele Manzi and Marco de Gasperi had a solo race. At the finish line, they decided to make a friendly move so they crossed the finish line together.
The runner who left the biggest mark in the history of mountain running in the world - Jonathan Wyatt with an unattainable time (2 times winner of the Race).
Finish line – Mitja Kosovelj – the winner of the Šmarna Gora Race in all categories, still the record holder for the 2,5 km and 9 km courses among juniors.
Finish line – Lucija Krkoč – participating 8 times on Šmarna gora, won in 2011.
Dramatic finish - the race ends at the finish line. In 2012, Azerya Teklay was keeping the pace throughout the whole course, but in the final meters, Alex Baldaccini overtook him.
Fred MUSOBO (UGA) won the Race in 2015. He competed twice at the World Championships and was 1st and 3rd.
Andrea Mayr – undoubtedly the most successful mountain runner of the last era. She has competed in our race 7 times (she won six times, one time she was second).
Johan Bugge (NOR) won the Šmarna Gora Race in 2017 and 2018. He was the European champion in 2015.
Lucy Murigi – she won the Race in 2018 and 2019, taking over the primat of Andrea Mayr. 3x participant in the World Championships, second in 2014, and world champion in 2017 and 2018.
Petro Mamu (ERI) – He has won all three of his appearances at the Race (2014, 2016 and 2019). He was also the world champion in 2012.
Finish line – spontaneous joy at victory: Sylvain Cachard
Finish line – joy at the finish line: Timotej Bečan
Finish line – joy at the finish line: Karmen Klančnik
On the finish line, we are all friends again, not oponents (Fujio Miyachi and Simon Strnad)
At the 30th anniversary of the Šmarna Gora Race in the fall of 2009, we invited all the winners to the race.
Among the participants and winners of the race was also cross-country and olympian skier Petra Majdič.
Mountain biker Tanja Žakelj also participated in the Race.
Without the team of Gostilna Ledinek on Šmarna gora, there would be no Race for sure.
Winning combo: Miha & Tomo
"WMRA Greatest Race Of All Time" - the road to victory
Running 2020 – a memory of "Covid times"
Arguably the best mountain runner of all time, New Zealander Jonathan Wyatt is also interested in the exhibition (October 2023).
