Ultra X World Championships 2022 – Race Preview
We are now less than one week out from the inaugural Ultra X World Championships. Having launched the location, Vipava, Slovenia, 2 years ago, it is incredibly exciting to finally almost be at the start line! This article will let you know what you can expect on the course, give you an insight into some of the competitors taking on the challenge this year and highlight how you can keep track of the race!
June 6 2018.
The day that Ultra X became a reality other than in our heads.
Ultra X was founded on a simple idea. We believe that multi-stage trail racing is the best sport on the planet, and we want it to be recognised as such.
When we began to map out the brand, there were a few clear goals;
1) To create a global community of like-minded individuals who loved pushing themselves and loved adventure.
2) To launch a series of multi-stage events that offered our competitors a chance to have a range of bucket list experience to choose between.
3) To make these experiences more accessible and encourage more people to get involved
4) To recognise and reward the phenomenal athletes that do these events and by doing so champion the sport and those in it.
The Ultra X World Championships, is an attempt to bring the sport of multi-stage ultra marathon running into the spotlight.
Having launched the location, Vipava, Slovenia, 2 years ago, it is incredibly exciting to finally almost be at the start line!
This article will let you know what you can expect on the course, give you an insight into some of the competitors taking on the challenge this year and highlight how you can keep track of the race!
Course Preview
Nestled between the towering Julian Alps to the north and the Adriatic coast to the south, Vipava Valley is located in western Slovenia, just a few miles from the border of northern Italy. The steep slopes and high plateaus of the hills surrounding Ajdovščina (Race Village 1) provide stunning views over the bucolic winelands for which the area is famous.
The course takes competitors from the vine-laden landscapes of Vipava Valley north, to Soča Valley, named after the emerald green River Soča, considered one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe. From Tolmin (Race Village 2), the route explores the rocky mountain trails of Soča Valley and the summits of the southern Julian Alps, situated within Slovenia’s largest protected area, Triglav National Park and each stage has something unique that will test every single one of our racers whilst showcasing some of the very best of the country! Follow our social media feeds for daily course previews and interviews with the runners and management team.
Monday 6th June – 43km – Opening Stage
Tuesday 7th June – 50km – Queen/King of the Sprint
Wednesday 8th June – 63km – The Long Stage
Thursday 9th June – 54km – Queen/King of the Uphill
Friday 10th June – 40km – Final Stage
Who’s racing?
We’re incredibly excited to welcome athletes from across the globe. Runners have gained qualification status over the last 3 years, from races both new and old. For some this has been years in the making, for others it has come quite recently. Whatever their story, we could not be more excited to welcome them.
Introducing some of our World Champs elite lineup…
- Edson Kumwamba
- Jacqui Bell
- Salameh Al Aqrah
- Alex Roudayna
- Tommy Chen
- Nele Lefeldt
- Katelyn Steen
How to follow the race
The race begins at 0800 local time on Monday the 6th of June.
Chip timing will be available here which will update results as competitors pass through checkpoints during each stage.
Daily videos and photos will be uploaded to our social media feeds.
For those that will be following the race during the event week a list of checkpoints that competitors are able to access is available below:
Stage 1
Start – Castra Adjovscina, What3Word location: essay.squishy.wanderer
Checkpoint 2 – GueRilla Winery, What3Word location: keyholes.soreness.zips
Checkpoint 3 – Town Centre Vipava, What3Word location: tracers.crop.vision
Finish – Castra Adjovscina, What3Word location: essay.squishy.wanderer
Stage 2
Start – Castra Adjovscina, What3Word location: essay.squishy.wanderer
Checkpoint 2 – Koča Antona Bavčerja na Čavnu Mountain cabin. What3Word location: essay.squishy.wanderer
Finish -Castra Adjovscina, What3Word location: essay.squishy.wanderer
Stage 3
Start – Castra Adjovscina, What3Word location: essay.squishy.wanderer
Checkpoint 1 – Viewpoint Predmeja, What3Word location: bottle.circuit.fixate
Stage 4
Checkpoint 1 – Town square in Volče, What3Word location: microbe.squirrel.irrational
Checkpoint 3 – Athletics track Stadion Kobarid, What3Word basins.provide.deafened
Stage 5
Checkpoint 2 – Koča na planini Kuhinja Mountain cabin/café/bar, What3Word location: hotter.nuzzling.ceramics
Finish – Tolmin Campsite, What3Words location: blanks.bottle.marked
