TRAIL RUNNING MACEDONIA, DISCOVER THE OHRID ULTRA TRAIL, HISTORY AND NATURE
Many trail runners also use trail running races to travel and discover new places. In recent years, among other things, competitions have sprung up everywhere, even in lesser-known places. Do you remember Macedonia, the exploits of Alexander the Great, and the city of Ohrid which rises on the shores of the homonymous lake? It was exactly there that a trail running event was born, the Ohrid Ultra-Trail® which takes place every year in Spring, normally in May, and offers 3 race distances: 107K, 66K, 18K (technical info: Ohrid Ultra Trail)
Photo credits: Wizzair
All races of Ohrid Ultra-Trail® (https://ohridultratrail.com/en/home/are organized in accordance with ITRA (International Trail Running Association) medical and safety guidelines and finishers are awarded qualifying points for UTMB®.
The namesake race Ohrid Ultra-Trail® is 107km long with 4,940m d+ and athletes start their adventure at midnight snaking through the cobblestone alleys of Ohrid old town, passing by several villages in the lower slopes of Mount Galicica to the iconic St. Naum Monastery on the south side of the Lake Ohrid – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There, in the early morning tranquility of Crn Drim river sources, the athletes of the second trail race – Galicica Ultra 66Km and 3,350m d+– join the runners of the 107km. The common route follows the main ridgeline taking on trails and dirt roads in the heart of Galicica National Park revealing captivating landscapes of both Lake Prespa and Lake Ohrid all at once. The third race – Letnica Trail 18km with 750m d+ – starting from the village of Ramne offers panoramic glimpses of the city of Ohrid. The finish line for all the races is in the town square of Ohrid.
Photo credits: Ohrid Trail
History and Nature of the places crossed by the Ohrid Ultra Trail
The ancient city of Ohrid, situated along the coast of the magnificent Lake Ohrid, is undoubtedly the most beautiful and attractive Macedonian town, a pearl of old architecture and treasury of valuable cultural and historical monuments under complete UNESCO’s protection. It exists for about 2500 years and its ancient name was Lichnidos, which was used to refer to the settlement of Ohrid and lake. The first Slavic University was founded right here by St. Clement and St. Naum in the area called Plaosnik.
Photo credits: Ohrid Trail
Lake Ohrid is a UNESCO World Heritage natural and cultural area since 1979. It provides a refuge for numerous endemic species of freshwater fauna and flora dating from the Tertiary period. Lake Ohrid is three million years old, 300m deep and 34km long and it is among Europe’s oldest and deepest lakes. Surrounding its shores, ancient settlements, mountain villages and glorious monasteries whisper stories that have endured for more than a thousand years.
On the other side, there is the second largest lake in Macedonia, Lake Prespa which is known for its natural biodiversity. There are about 200 bird species, 104 of which are water birds. 62 species are enlisted on the List of Protected Species in the Bern Convention, while three of them are on the European Red List of Globally Endangered Species. And in the middle, the “heart” of Ohrid and Prespa region is crowned with Mount Galicica which divides the two great lakes. The national park is home to the autochthon Balkan Lynx and numerous other endemic flora and fauna. Here the wild and less traveled trails leads you to the most magnificent views in the region.
How to organize your trip and your race? Email us: info@trailrunningmovement.com the Ohrid Ultra-Trail®
Technical Info Ohrid Ultra Trail 107K, 66K, 18K here: Ohrid Ultra Trail
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