18 June 2024 en https://iau-ultramarathon.org/iau-gold-label-slovenia-12run.html

IAU Gold Label Slo12Run

Record attendance of ultrarunners in Kranj

On Sunday, 2 June, I FEEL SLOVENIA12RUN – a top-level ultra race (6 and 12 hours) – took place in the centre of Kranj. This year, for the first time, the longer distance (12h) was awarded with the golden label of the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU).

The competition was attended by the best foreign ultrarunners, from more than 20 countries, and from Croatia the entire Croatian ultramarathon team came to Kranj for the first time. 106 runners took part in the 12-hour run and 50 runners took part in the 6-hour run.

Carmen Maria Perez from Spain won the 12 h race with 144,250 kilometres. The second-placed Bouchra Lundgren Eriksen from Denmark reached the Danish 12 hour record (135,050 km). Dejan Radanac from Croatia and Pascal Rüeger from Switzerland, last year's winner and record holder of the course (161 km), were considered as the men's favourites. Rüeger finished the race after an hour due to injury. The winner of the 12-hour run among men was Croatioan Dejan Radanac, who tested himself in the 12-hour run for the first time in his career, and his result means the best 12-hour run in the world this year. Radanac also holds the Croatian national 100 km record. As is appropriate for Prešeren's town, the winners of the 12-hour race also received a men's cylinder and a ladies' hat Urška, as well as rich cash prizes.

In the 6-hour run, Croats dominated the podium of both men and women. Croation Nataša Šustić, who ran 80,992 km, won the women's race, setting a new national record. Hrvoje Pauković (73,579 km) won the men's competition and Luka Jakuš from Slovenia (71,759 km) finished third.

The awards were presented by the guest of honour, Greek Yiannis Kouros.

Marko Tomažin (142,706 km, Athletic club Mengeš) won the 12-hour national championship, while Alenka Pavc (120,139km, Athletic club Ultramarathon Slovenia) won the national championship title among women.

For more than twenty years, supermarathons and ultramarathons have been organized in Slovenia, which were attended mainly by Slovenian runners, and participation was much lower. I FEEL SLOVENIA12RUN is gaining recognition every year, including at the international level. With the award of the IAU golden label, the race I FEEL SLOVENIA12RUN became one of the most important 12-hour races in the world, where the best domestic and global ultrarunners come. We are very proud that the best foreign ultrarunners responded to our invitation and praised the organization of the race. For such a good organization, of course, there are volunteers who took care of runners all day long, which is a special thanks to them. The atmosphere in Kranj was truly exceptional, as there were a lot of fans and spectators along the course and at the stand in the starting and finish area," summed up Klemen Boštar, director of I FEEL SLOVENIA12RUN and Maja Rigač.

Also this year, Greek Yiannis Kouros ("running god") attended the race as an honorary guest, who competed together with Slovenian ultrarunner Dušan Mravlje. The course in Kranj got its name – the Kouros course.

There were two side events on the sidelines of the race. On Saturday, June 1st, the organizer prepared an exclusive exhibition of two legends and pioneers of ultra-running, great rivals, and above all two great friends, Dušan Mravlje and Yiannis Kouros, where Mravlje's and Kouros' paintings, medals, cups, awards from their big competitions, sports equipment, etc. were on display.

On Saturday afternoon, a thematic discussion was organised with renowned ultrarunners and other important guests, titled: We're pushing boundaries, setting records. The participants were Yiannis Kouros, Pascal Rüeger, Simen Holvik, Line Caliskaner, Dejan Radanac, Dragan Janković, Carmen Maria Perez, Marko Tomažin. The discussion was moderated by Marko Roblek and Niko Rakovec.

The exceptional atmosphere at the end of the race was provided by the Belgrade group, which plays the songs of the cult punk band KUD IDIJOTI (Puppets at the End).

The route is circular, 1,250 metres long, paved and runs along the streets, in the centre of Kranj. The course is also certified by AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races).

The organizer of the race is the Athletic Club Ultramarathon Slovenia, the co-organizer is the Institute for Culture and Tourism Kranj, with the support of the Municipality of Kranj and the Athletic Association of Slovenia (AZS).

More information: https://slo12.run

The event was organised in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. The participants of the event were informed about the green guidelines for sustainable behaviour, which are also published on the website.

Female Top 3 Results – 12h

1. Carmen Maria Perez (ESP), 144.259 KM

2. Bouchra Lundgren Eriksen (DEN), 135.050 KM

3. Veronika Jurišić (CRO), 131.150 MM