The European Skyrunning Championship trails run by six world champions! Famous race of the region and already well-known to sky runners all over the planet.

It traditionally has two distances, ISF international ranking, ITRA/UTMB, as well as national league ranking with 50% more points in 2024. Gusinje, September 14, 2024. Sky Race 30 km with 2,150 m ascent and Sky Ultra 50 km with 4,400 m ascent. All tracks have an international ISF certificate.

In order to avoid the peak season and the heat, the race was moved to the most stable month in the Balkans when it comes to precipitation and temperature. The race with which we close the season and the event that decides the winners of the X skyrunning league.

Prokletije SkyUltra

An extraordinary ultra. Technical sections, long alpine climbs and descents. Reaching Albania, crossing peaks over 2,200 m above sea level, with lots of climbs. The trail can get the "Lord of the rings" certificate as it passes through rocky outcrops, hundred-year-old pines, and sharp ridges.

Before you enter the realm of harsh Karanfil limestone, the most beautiful viewpoints towards Popadija and Talijanka, the two most beautiful valleys of Montenegro in the palm of your hand (Ropojana and Grebaja), Bor is waiting for you!

Our GPS record showed even more ascent, bear that in mind!

Length and altitude difference:

A total of 50.6 km with 4,400 m of ascent and descent. Is there anything to be added when you compare length and ascent? A shade lighter than the famous Šar planina SkyExtreme, but certainly a nicer trail!

Start:

The start is planned for September  14,  2024 (Saturday) from the Gusinje town center at 7AM.

Course description:

The start is near the municipality of Gusinje, where it immediately turns towards Vusanje and the Alipašini izvori, so you turn left before the Alipašini izvori.

You start the Bor road to the peak of Ćemena 2,036 m a.s.l. CP1 Ćemena awaits you on the 7th km of the race. Checkpoint and water. Descent towards the center of Gornje Vusanje and winding, alternative roads through the village lead to the base office and Eco Katuni Rosi. There is CP2 (Rosi), checkpoint and refreshment at the 13th km of the race. You continue along the narrow paths along the rocks and the climbing area towards Alipašini izvori.

When you go uphill, a spring awaits you in the forest on the very route (we will see if it will dry up by then, you will receive information in the final email). It won't be the only place with a spring. Another spring and a great view of the surroundings await you near the katun. CP3 (Vezirova brada) is waiting for you on the 21st km of the trail at the saddle of Vezirova brada. Refreshment point and then you continue to the top of Podgoja (2,021 m a.s.l), from which you can enjoy a magnificent view of Ropojana, Trojan, Albania, Gusinje... From there, the real terrain begins, along the ridge. The focus must be on the maximum, you are going to the top of Mali Karanfil (2,119 m a.s.l.) through the limestone kingdom and you will need your hands on this section. You descend vertically below Ljuljašević and Očnjak directly towards Grebaja on CP4 (Katun Maja Karanfil) on the 27th km of the trail..
Strong refreshment and replenishment of water in the katun, drop-bag and lunch. Don't forget that you must have a headlamp from there and pack warm clothing as well. The path takes you past the Branko Kotlajić mountain lodge, where you turn into the forest on the most famous path of the Prokletije National Park towards the peaks of Volušnica, Talijanka and Popadija. There you will find the most beautiful views, a strong ascent, the border path with Albania and again the exit at over 2,000 m above sea level. At the top of Popadija is CP5 (checkpoint only) at the 33rd km.

From the top of Popadija, you descend to the Popadije katun below the Karaula peak (there are also the remains of an old watchtower in the valley), where refreshments (34th km of the trail) and water refills await you. From there you branch off towards Trojan towards Albania. At this refreshment point, you have to fill up the water and refresh yourself well, as there will be no water and refreshments for a long period of time due to the inaccessible terrain.

You return to the border path and then to Trojanski prevoj, where tourists from Ljepusa come from. That section is out of the ordinary, the vertical peaks are all around you as well as the pines. After passing the first peak in the Trojan ridge (which is also the most beautiful), you go out on the saddle and then on the "knife" to the very top. The views are fantastic, the top itself is 2,200 m above sea level and there will be the CP6 Trojan at the 40th km of the race (checkpoint only). From there, you descend along the ridge and sections towards the Trojan Pass (stone overgrowth, a fairy tale!). On that section, strictly follow the flags, there will be an abyss on your left. The focus must be at maximum. After the overgrowth, you go through sipar and a fantastic slope full of centuries-old pines towards the old watchtower where only the remains of the foundation are left, and towards Katun Balić. There is the 42nd km of the race and the spring will be marked. From there you slowly descend towards the Kodra Bajrovića katun, where Kodra Bajrovića CP7 is on the 44th km of the race. Refreshment and checkpoint await you. Everything is easier from there, downhill via dirt road, as well as your colleagues running the sky race. The section in front of Gusinje is very interesting, and will lead you through a dense pine forest called Šume Rahine. There will be a CP8 at the 48th km (checkpoint only). The finish line is near the municipality of Gusinje, the same spot where you started. It should be noted that this part from Katun Balić to Gusinje is full of bears and those who are afraid should go in a group or wear bells. A part of the organization crew and the GSS will be deployed on the stretch from Trojan to Gusinje. We will pay special attention to that part of the track.

The longest ascent on the race is 1.250m, while descent reaches over 1.300m of denivelation at once.

ITRA points link: https://tracedetrail.fr/en/trace/trace/240404 the race bring 3 ITRA points and „Mountain level” 11! You can also find it on the UTMB link: https://utmb.world

Time limits:

• CP-3 – Vezirova brada, 21. km, 12:30 (5 hours 30 min from the start)
• CP-4 – Katun Maja Karanfil, Grbaja, 27. km, 15:00 (8 hours from the start)
• CP-5 – Popadija, 33. km, 17:30 (10 hours 30 min from the start)
• CP-6 – Trojan, 40. km, 20:00 (13 hours from the start)
• Finish – Gusinje town center, 23:00 (16 hours from the start)

Profile, GPX and race map:

Prokletije 30km 2022 SkyRace (2000 points).gpx

Prokletije 50km SkyUltra.gpx

Prokletije SkyRace

A true skyrace that requires 100% focus. Technical sections, long alpine climbs and descents. Crossing over the harsh Karanfil limestone, passing the most beautiful viewpoints towards Popadia and Talijanka, the two most beautiful valleys of Montenegro in the palm of your hand (Ropojana and Grebaja).

Length and altitude difference:

A total of 30 km with 2,150 m of ascent and descent. Our records showed even higher ascent. To know what kind of race it is, it is enough to know that all 2,150 m of ascent is within 15 km of the track!!

Start:

The start is planned for September 14, 2024 (Saturday) from the Gusinje town center at 7AM together with Sky Ultra.

Course description:

The start is near the municipality of Gusinje, where it immediately turns towards Vusanje and the Alipašini izvori. You have about 2.5 km to the springs themselves, and there you enter the goat path, where a steep ascent awaits you. A spring awaits you in the forest on the route itself (we'll see if it will dry up by then). It won't be the only place with a spring. Another spring and a great view of the surroundings await you near the katun. At the saddle on Vezirova brada, CP1 (Vezirova brada) is waiting for you on the 6th km of the trail. Refresh and continue to the top of Podgoja (2,021 m above sea level), from which you can enjoy a magnificent view of Ropojana, Trojan, Albania, Gusinje... From there, the real terrain begins, along the ridge. The focus must be on the maximum, you are going to the top of Mali Karanfil (2,119 m a.s.l., the highest point of the sky race) through the limestone kingdom and you will need your hands on this section. You descend vertically below Ljuljašević and Očnjak directly to Grebaja on CP2 (Katun Maja Karanfil) on the 12th km of the trail. After strong refreshment and replenishment of water in the katun, the road takes you past the mountain lodge Branko Kotlajić where you turn into the forest on the most famous path of the Prokletije National Park towards the peaks of Volušnica, Talijanka and Popadije. There you will find the most beautiful views, a strong ascent, the border path with Albania and again the exit at over 2,000 m above sea level. At the top of Popadija is CP3 (checkpoint only) at the 17th km.

From the top of Popadije, you descend to the katun of Popadije below the top of Karaula (there are also the remains of an old watchtower in the valley), where refreshments await you (18th km of the trail) and a refill of water.

From CP3 and refreshment, there are no more difficult parts, mostly wider dirt roads that go down towards Dolja. The part in front of Gusinje is interesting and will lead you through a dense pine forest called Šume Rahine. There will be the CP4 at the 26th km (checkpoint only). The finish line is near the municipality of Gusinje, where you started the race.

The longest ascent in the race is 1,280m, the descent is also 1,280m.

ITRA points link: https://tracedetrail.fr/en/trace/trace/240403 the race brings 2 ITRA points and „Mountain level” 9. You can also find it on the UTMB link: https://utmb.world

Time limits:

• CP-1 – Vezirova brada, 6. km, 8:45 (1 hours 45 min from the start)
• CP-2 – Katun Maja Karanfil, Grbaja, 12. km, 11:00 (4 hours from the start)
• CP-3 – Popadija, 17. km, 13:30 (6 hours 30 min from the start)
• CP-4 – Šume Rahine, 26. km, 15:30 (8 hours 30 min from the start)
• Finish – Gusinje town center, 16:15 (9 hours 15 min from the start)

Mandatory equipment:

Astro-foil, rain/wind jacket, mobile phone, cup and whistle for SKY and ULTRA. It applies to BOTH races. Penalties of 30 minutes for not having them. If more than two items are missing - disqualification. 50 km runners must also have a headlamp, which will be in their drop-bag in Grebaja. In addition to the headlamp, a GPS device is also mandatory for ultra!

We recommend hiking poles, but you cannot leave them at the checkpoints. On the part from Podgoja to Karanfili, we recommend you to keep them packet. That's where you need your hands free. Especially for the sky race, we recommend a GPS with an inserted race route! You must be semi-autonomous (water, gels, etc.). All additional information about the race will be presented through the final email and race guide (Prokletije Race Guide 2024) and at the technical meeting in Gusinje at the Dom kulture (9:30 p.m.).

Race bibs and packages pickup:

Race office (race base) is in Gusinje (Dom kulture) and will be open from 18:00 to 22:00 on Friday, September 13.

Race packages must be picked up in person and for this race, a medical certificate is mandatory for SKY and ULTRA distances, not older than one year. Applications open in May and close on August 20, 2024. (Tuesday) at 4 pm (this means that payments must be made by then).

In the participation package for the Sky Race, the runner receives a unique finisher's medal and a cotton T-shirt.

In the participation package for Sky Ultra, the runner receives a finisher's medal and an active HG T-shirt.

Registration fees:

SKY – 3,000 dinars (25e) until May 20, after that the registration fee is 4,200 dinars (35e).

ULTRA – 4,800 dinars (40e) until May 20, after that the registration fee is 6,000 dinars (50e).

Applications - https://trka.rs/events/548/

Participant minibus from Belgrade (20 seats) goes to Gusinje and Vusanje as for the previous races. Anyone who pays the registration fee and wants to be on the participating bus, pays an additional fee of 3,600 dinars immediately with the same reference number. So, on the same day when you pay the registration fee, you immediately book a place on the bus with another transaction, the purpose is to supplement the registration fee. The bus leaves on Friday, September 13 at 7 a.m. in the morning from the parking lot of the Stark (BG) arena. It returns on Sunday at 11:30. Anyone who does not realize this additional payment as part of the registration fee will not be on the list for the minibus.

Rules:

Each competitor must wear the bib number in a visible place, on the chest or on the belt, on the front of a jacket or on a T-shirt, it must not be covered with a jacket! Losing a bib means an automatic disqualification. Leaving hiking poles or their parts on the trail is also DSQ.

The only drop-off place where we can provide transportation to the finish line is CP in Grebaja. For ultra runners, it will also be feasible in the Popadija katun.

You can send your complaints to our email - skyrunning.montenegro@gmail.com within 48 hours after the race. After that, complaints will not be considered.

Each race at Prokletije carries 50% more points in the 2024 season. All formats also have an alternative track (option B) in case of bad weather.

Accommodation:

All runners are recommended to book accomodation in hotels, cottages and eco-cottages as soon as possible, especially due to the announcement of the arrival of a large number of foreigners. To get started, you can contact the local TO Gusinje turizam@opstinagusinje.me and email: getoargjonbalaj@gmail.com

Useful information:

• Link for the weather forecast: https://www.yr.no/place/Montenegro/Other/Popadija/long.html

The award ceremony:

Gusinje town center, in front of the municipality. In case of rain in the Dom kulture. All details will be announced in due course.

Get ready for the most beautiful and attractive mountain in the Balkans! The last unexplored mountain range of Europe.

See you on Prokletije!