Second Race of the IAU Balkan Express Cup Completed

The second race in the IAU Balkan Express Cup has concluded. The Athletic Club Ultramarathon Slovenia hosted the 4th edition of the SLO24 race from April 5 to April 6, 2025, in the picturesque coastal city of Koper, Slovenia. This event not only showcased stunning seaside views but also served as the second stage of the newly established IAU Balkan Express Cup.

Runners were greeted with beautiful sunny weather and pleasant temperatures, creating ideal conditions for competition. The SLO24 race offered a diverse range of running distances, including 6-hour and 12-hour races, the 100 km event, and the 24-hour race, which the event is named after. Notably, this year's edition introduced the 100 km race for the first time, with both the 24-hour and 100 km events also being recognized as part of the Slovenian National Championship.

The competition took place on the modern trim track of the Koper sports facility Bonifika, which features a fully fenced, illuminated 1000-meter loop. This flat and traffic-free route, designed for optimal running conditions, allowed athletes to focus solely on their performance.

This year, the SLO24 race attracted 96 competitors from 17 countries, showcasing a vibrant mix of talent. The favorable conditions led to good performance, particularly in the 24-hour race, where eight competitors surpassed the 200 km mark. Boris Šušelj emerged victorious in the 24-hour race, completing an impressive 252 km, just shy of the course record of 257 km. On the women's side, Hungary's Erika Zombory claimed victory with a distance of 191.01 km. Special recognition goes to Ruth Jäger from Germany, who, at 73 years old, participated in the 24-hour race and achieved a commendable 129 km. In addition to overall victories, Boris Šušelj and Andreja Jesenko, who completed 137.19 km, were crowned champions of the 24-hour race at the Slovenian National Championship. The 100 km race saw Marko Tomažin finish with a time of 7:39:47 and Alenka Pavc with a time of 9:18:41.

For complete results and highlights from the competition, visit website here and check out the event's Facebook page for memorable moments: SLO24 Highlights.

You can view the standings after second race at the following link: IAU Balkan Express Cup Standings.

For more information about the event and its significance, please refer to the initial publication here: IAU Balkan Express Cup Announcement.

IAU Balkan Express Cup next races:

The successful completion of the SLO24 race marks an exciting chapter in the IAU Balkan Express Cup. We invite you to take part of future events. 

Jacek Bedkowski
IAU Director of Communication