Welcome to the most beautiful and most attractive race in the League!

We won’t describe this mountain beauty, it’s enough to watch the video of the last year’s edition:

Two distances, UTMB points and 50% more points in the national league for 2022. Gusinje, August 13th, Sky Race 30 km with 2.150 m of ascent and Sky Ultra 50 km with 4.400 m of ascent. Now SkyUltra has the ISF certificate for the World Cup, too. https://www.skyrunning.com/certified-courses/?_sft_country=montenegro

Prokletije SkyRace

The real skyrace which requires 100% focus. Technical sections, long Alpine ascents and descents. A crossing over harsh limestone of Karanfili peaks, passing by the most beautiful panoramic spots towards Popadija and Talijanka peaks and you will have a grandstand view of the two most beautiful valleys of Montenegro – Ropojana and Grebaja.

Length and altitude difference:

Altogether (according to ITRA) 30 km with 2.150 m of climb and downhill. Our record showed even more climb. In order you to know what is about this race and that there is no similar configuration of the race in the region, it is enough to know that all 2.150 m of climb are within 15 km of the trail!! Read up well on the trail profile, this is a world class profile. Two ITRA points and mountain 9.

Race start:

The start is scheduled on Saturday August 13th at 7 AM from the center of Gusinje, together with Sky Ultra.  

Track description:

The start is near the Gusinje Municipal building where you immediately turn towards Vusanje and Ali-Pasha’s Springs. Until the Springs you have 2,5 km and there you enter a narrow path with intensive climb. There is a spring on the trail in the forest. That’s not the only spring on the trail. Within reach of the summer-pasture mountain camp there is another spring and a great view on surroundings. CP-1 is on the saddle Vezirova Brada (6th km of the race). You have an aid station there. After that you will continue to the Podgoja peak (2.021 m.a.sl.) with magnificent view on Ropojana, Trojan, Albania, Plav… The real terrain starts from there, along the ridge. Your focus has to be on a maximum level. You will climb Mali Karanfil peak (2.119 m.a.s.l., the highest point of the skyrace) through the limestone kingdom – you will need your hands in this section of the trail. You will sheer go down below Karanfil Ljuljaševića and Očnjak peaks direct in Grbaja to CP-2 (Katun Maja Karanfil, 12th km of the race). Rich aid station and refill of water in Katun. The trail leads you beside Branko Kotlajić mountain hut where you will turn in the forest on the best known trail in the Prokletije National Park towards Volušnica, Talijanka and Popadija peaks. In this section you will have the most beautiful views, intensive climb, border trail with Albania and again you will reach 2.000 m.a.s.l. CP-3 is on Popadija peak (17th km of the race, just control point).

From Popadija peak you will go down to the Popadija summer-pasture mountain camp below Karaula peak (with remains of an old frontier post) where is the aid station (18th km of the race) and water refill. On that spot the trail bifurcates – Sky Ultra runners go towards Trojan peak and you continue down towards Gusinje.

From CP-3 there are no more difficult sections, there are mostly wide macadam roads which go down towards Dolja. The section before Gusinje is interesting, through dense pine forest “Šume Rahine”. There will be CP-4 (26th km of the race, just control point).

Time limits:

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

Prokletije SkyUltra

The brutal Ultra on the edge of the SkyExtreme format. Technical sections, long Alpine climbs and downhills. Entering in Albania, crossing peaks over 2.200 m.a.s.l. with a lot of ascents. The trail could get the „The Lord of the Rings“ certificate, because you will go through the rock arches, hundred years old pines, sharp ridges. If you like race like TOR, UTMB, Skyrunning World Series – this is the perfect trail.

Before you enter the kingdom of harsh limestone of Karanfili peaks, the most beautiful panoramic spots towards Popadija and Talijanka peaks, two most beautiful valleys of Montenegro with a grandstand view (Ropojana and Grebaja) there is Bor! At the very moment when your colleague runners on skyrace branch off, the highest peak is awaiting for you – Trojan 2.200 m.a.s.l.

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

Length and altitude difference:

Altogether 50,6 km with 4.400 m of climb and downhill. Do we need anything to add when the length and the ascent are compared? Just a little bit easier than Šara SkyExtreme, but for sure more beautiful trail! Of course, it has most ITRA points, according to level of difficulty, in the Balkans, same as Šara race.

Race start:

The start is scheduled on Saturday August 13th at 7 AM from the center of Gusinje, together with SkyRace.

Track description:

The start is near the Gusinje Municipal building where you immediately turn towards Vusanje and Ali-Pasha’s Springs, but in contrast to the shorter trail, you will branch of before Ali-Pasha Springs to the left. At cross-roads itself (on the asphalt) there will be volunteers with signposts in order you wouldn’t continue in 30 km race.

You will go towards Bor on Ćemena peak 2.036. m.a.s.l. There is CP-1 Ćemena (7th km of the race). A control point and an aid station. Downhill towards center of Gornje Vusanje and along winding, alternative roads through the village – and you will reach the base of the race and Eko Katun Rosi. There is CP-2 Rosi (13th km of the race), a control point and an aid station. Further you will continue along narrow paths up rocks and climbing section towards Ali-Pasha Springs.

After that you will converge with skyrace, and like your colleagues on shorter trail you will find in the forest a spring on the trail itself. That will not be the only spot with spring. Within reach of the summer-pasture mountain camp there is another spring and a great view on surroundings. CP-3 is on the saddle Vezirova Brada (21st km of the race). You have an aid station there. After that you will continue to the Podgoja peak (2.021 m.a.sl.) with magnificent view on Ropojana, Trojan, Albania, Plav… The real terrain starts from there, along the ridge. Your focus has to be on a maximum level. You will climb Mali Karanfil peak (2.119 m.a.s.l.) through the limestone kingdom – you will need your hands in this section of the trail. You will sheer go down below Karanfil Ljuljaševića and Očnjak peaks direct in Grbaja to CP-4 (Katun Maja Karanfil, 27th km of the race). Rich aid station and refill of water in Katun, drop bag and lunch. Don’t forget that from there you must have a head lamp. Prepare also warm clothes. The trail leads you beside Branko Kotlajić mountain hut where you will turn in the forest on the best known trail in the Prokletije National Park towards Volušnica, Talijanka and Popadija peaks. In this section you will have the most beautiful views, intensive climb, border trail with Albania and again you will reach 2.000 m.a.s.l. CP-5 is on Popadija peak (33rd km of the race, just control point).

From Popadija peak you will go down to the Popadija summer-pasture mountain camp below Karaula peak (with remains of an old frontier post) where is the aid station (34th km of the race) and water refill. On that spot the trail bifurcates – you will branch of towards Trojan peak towards Albania. At this aid station you have to refresh well yourself with food and water and refill your water enough, because longer period you will be without water and aid stations due to inaccessible terrain.

After that you will return to the border path and then to Trojan pass from where tourist come from Lepuša. This section is outstanding – sheer peaks around you and also pines. After first peak (which is the most beautiful) within Trojan ridge you will reach the saddle and from there sharply up until the peak itself. The views are fantastic. The peak itself is 2.200 m.a.s.l. and there will be CP-6 Trojan (40th km of the race, just control point). From there you will go down along the ridge and sections towards Trojan pass (a rock arch, like fairy-tale!). At this section strictly follow flags, from your left side there will be the abyss. Your focus has to be on a maximum level. After the rock arch you will go through talus slope and fantastic slope full of hundred years old pines towards the old frontier post (just foundation remains) and towards Katun Balića. There is 42nd km of the race and marked spring. From there you will slowly go down towards summer-pasture mountain camp K. Bajrovića where is CP-7 Kodra Bajrovića (44th km of the race), a control point and an aid station. From there everything is easier, downhill along macadam road, same as colleague skyrace runners. The section before Gusinje is interesting, through dense pine forest “Šume Rahine”. There will be CP-8 (48th km of the race, just control point). The finish is near Gusinje Municipal building, same as the start. We have to point out that this section from Katun Balića to Gusinje is full of bears and who is afraid should go in the group or wear a bear bell. Along the section from Trojan to Gusinje there will be part of the race organizers and Mountain Rescue Service. We will pay special attention on this section of the trail.

Time limits:

  • CP-4 – Katun Maja Karanfil, Grbaja, 27th km, 3:00 PM (8h from the start)
  • CP-5 – Popadija, 33rd km, 5:30 PM (10h and 30 min. from the start)
  • CP-6 – Trojan, 40th km, 8:00 PM (13h from the start) * strictly observance
  • Finish – center of Gusinje, 50th km, 11:00 (16h from the start)

Profile, GPX and race map:

Prokletije 30km SkyRace

Prokletije 50km SkyUltra

As you see, the trail is serious. You must have enough water and food with yourself.

Mandatory equipment:

Survival blanket, rain/wind jacket, mobile phone, cup, and a whistle. Penalties of 30 mins will be applied if any of these is missing. If two or more items are missing, the disqualification will follow. Runners on 51 km must have a head lamp which will be in the drop bag in Grebaja. Beside the head lamp for SkyUltra runners GPS device is mandatory!

We recommend that you have poles, but bear in mind that you cannot leave them at the stops. On the section from Podgoja to Karanfili we recommend you to fix them to your backpack. You will need your hands there. We strongly recommend for SkyRace runners to have GPS with the route of the race recorded! You must be semi-autonomous (water, gels, etc.) All additional information will be presented through the final e-mail and the Race Guide (Prokletije Race Guide 2022) and the technical meeting on Friday from 9:00 PM, August 12th 2022.

Race packages:

The race office is in Gusinje (exact location we will announce later) on Friday from 5:00 PM until 11:00 PM.

The packages must be picked up in person. Medical certificate is obligatory for both distances, no older than a year. Applications are open until July 11th 2022, 4:00 PM (meaning that the payments have to be regulated by this time).

Within the participant’s package for the SkyRace runners will get a unique finishers medal and a cotton T-shirt. The registration fee is 3,000 RSD (EUR 25).

Within the participant’s package for the SkyUltra race runners will get a unique finishers medal and HG T-shirt if the payment is regulated by April 15th. After that date instead HG T-Shirt runners will get an active T-shirt from a domestic manufacturer. The registration fee is 4,700 RSD (EUR 40).

Applications can be submitted through the following link - https://trka.rs/event/273/

Participants' minibus (20 seats): Anyone who pays the registration fee and wants to be on the participants’ minibus will have to pay extra 3,000 RSD at the same payment reference number. Therefore, the same day you decide to pay the registration fee, you can book your seat on the bus immediately with another payment with the payment purpose – additional payment for registration fee. The minibus leaves on August 12th at 8 AM from Kombank Arena parking lot. It will be taking the participants back on Sunday at 12:30 in front of Eko Katun Rosi with stop in Gusinje. Those who do not make the additional payment within the registration fee, will not be included in the bus list.

Rules:

Each competitor must wear the bib in a visible place, on the chest or on the belt, on the front, attached to a jacket or a T-shirt, it must not be covered with a jacket! Losing a bib means an automatic disqualification.

The only spot where you can withdraw where we can arrange transport to the finish is CP in Grebaja. For the SkyUltra runners it will be possible also in Popadija summer-pasture mountain camp.

Should you have any complaints you can contact us at - skyrunning.serbia@gmail.com within 48 hours after the finish of the race. After this time no complaints will be taken into consideration.

Both Prokletije races bring 50% more points for the season 2022. And both races have an alternative trail (B option) in case of bad weather. It is possible that that the race will be postponed to Sunday if the race organizer estimate that it is safer.

Accommodation:

We recommend you to book as soon as possible hotels, weekend cottages and eco katuns. For the beginning you can contact local TO Gusinje turizam@opstinagusinje.me

Useful information:

Awards:

In front of the Gusinje Municipal building on Saturday, August 13th 2022, at 9.00 PM near the start/finish line. In case of bad weather the ceremony will be held in the café across the Municipal building. The top three places in men’s and women’s category will receive the awards.

 

Prepare yourself for the most beautiful and the most challenging race in the Balkans!

See you on Prokletije!