The seventh trail race, Trail Race Kopaonik, was held in Kopaonik on July 30. This was a weekend to enjoy for all lovers of trail running and, above all, nature.
The race organizer was the “Na Sve Strane” Sports Association, which hosted people from different parts of Serbia and other countries. Everything about the participation package, the finisher’s medal, the atmosphere in the competition center, and the volunteers on the field at the Kopaonik Trail Race was commendable.
Trail Race Kopaonik has two race lengths, 7km, and 15km. Whichever path you chose, I’m sure you enjoyed the beautiful nature of Kopaonik.
Each track had a time limit: three hours for 7km (170 m) and four hours for 15km (410 m). Based on the time limits, both paths can be crossed by people who also walk.
The 7km trail runs through the terrain of the “Crvene Bare” forest. Its route is Dolina Sportova (start)—Marine Vode—Crvene Bare—Markov Kamen—and Dolina Sportova (finish).
The 15 km path stretched through the Kopaonice forests in one part and along the meadows in the other. The trail route is: Dolina sportova (start) – Marine Vode – Jaram – Likina Cesma – Vodovod – Markov Kamen – Dolina sportova (finish).
For a long time, I thought about which race length I should apply for. As this was my first trail race, I didn’t want to push myself. I just wanted to feel good with the result and enjoy nature. For this reason, I decided on the 7 km race. There was no doubt whether I could finish the 15km course. On the other hand, I know my expectations and that I desire to achieve a better time.
Preparations for the race
We arrived at Kopaonik three days before the race, which enabled me to have some training before the race and gradual acclimatization. For a race at a higher altitude, it is necessary to arrive at least a week before. But, when there are no possibilities, it is good even three days before. On the first day, I ran on a relatively flat part, while the goal for the other 2 days was to go to the hills. As I now have strength due to regular training, I was not surprised that I managed well with training from the first day. My tactic was not to let my muscles get lazy but also to run a shorter distance the day before. Mild inflammation of the muscles appeared, but I was able to alleviate that easily with rest.
The morning before the race started well. I didn’t want to allow myself to prepare the equipment that I would wear in the morning; I already did that the night before the race. As I was hydrating the day before the race, I decided to carry a bag around my waist with a bottle of water. I had already trained for 10 km on Kosutnjak, and I was sure that I wouldn’t drink that much water. The bottle kept me from thinking about whether there would be enough refreshments.
Race equipment
As I decided to perform for my club, PSD Kopaonik, it was important for me to wear the club shirt. The long sports socks protected my legs while walking through the forest. The trail was shorter, the weather was warm, and there was no need to wear long leggings. I was glad that I had the opportunity to hear advice from more experienced people and apply it. Still, I decided to run, and not just survive the race.
It is important to prepare some of your tactics before the start of the race. As the race went uphill, my tactic was to maintain my pace. I didn’t have the strength to run fast uphill, but I didn’t want to allow myself to be pulled by the crowd and then just stop and walk halfway up the hill. It would be a smaller failure at the beginning of the race.
Hours before the race
Before the race, I came early to get used to the surroundings. When I was moving towards the starting point, I felt nervous. I calmed down with the consolation that I was already running the double race length in training. Another thing was that I was actually the first female person to represent PSD Kopaonik in a trail race after a long time. No matter how silly the reasons for good energy and your confidence may sound to someone else, they are only yours and are always useful.
For beginners in running, it is totally normal to feel extremely nervous before the start. If someone tells you to relax before the race and everything will be fine, that person either doesn’t know or doesn’t remember the adrenaline that rushes through you before the first race.
Psychological preparations
The positive thing is the adrenaline that you will feel when you arrive at the sports arena. Such a surge of adrenaline and positive energy will affect you as well. There is usually a presenter and music that serve to create a good atmosphere.
You should know what type of person you are and what suits you. Some like to be surrounded by a crowd of people before the start, while some like to be alone. My ritual was to separate myself from my running group 10 minutes before the start to warm up with a run and relax. I didn’t want to do the warm-up exercises because they were extremely passive for me at that moment. It was an awkward warm-up in the valley of sports in the sun, but I knew that the start was coming soon.
One important thing is to set aside enough time for the toilet before the race or to wash yourself. Do not drink much water 10 minutes before the start because it can only cause a problem in your stomach.
Start of the race
When the leader announced that it was time to position on the starting line, it was necessary to determine where it was best to stand. That’s the only thing I wanted to decide on my own, and not by listening to other people’s advice. I didn’t want to stand at the very back because I assumed the people standing there were the ones who walked. This would create a situation where I cannot bypass them. I decided to stand in the first half of the rows, even though there were mostly more experienced men. It was easier mentally for me to be passed by others than for me to struggle to pass someone on the uphill. When the presenter announced that the start was in less than a minute, the adrenaline in the stomach started. Similar to the feeling of excitement when you see a person you like.
The start itself was really slow because everyone was crowded into a group. As a new experience, I had the task of calming down my excitement in the next 100 meters. I was satisfied that I kept my pace uphill and I didn’t pay attention to the people who were overtaking me. Later, there was a downhill to our mountaineering cottage waiting for me, and I could make up time there. I managed to run uphill. After that, the problem started because it was necessary to pass by people who kept a slower pace downhill. They were slower because the ground was covered with stones and tree roots. It never crossed my mind that people would slow down there. There, I tried to grab the side of the road and follow the person who was at a similar pace and who was clearing the passage for the entire group.
Obstacles during the race
The next shock was when we crossed the road from the mountain cottage. We had to go down into the forest, and a group of 15 people was waiting there. After waiting for half a minute, I got in line (and slipped through the line at the same time) to see that it was an ordinary, easy descent. Obviously, it was people who came to the forest for the first time, so they were causing a “traffic” jam.
When we got down into the forest, there was a 1km stretch, after which there was a split to the left for 7km and to the right for 15km. The course was well marked with tapes and arrows for each length. In addition, volunteers were there to show directions. It is a fact that people who do not have a sense of orientation in nature come to such races (even if they have a map), so it is necessary to ensure changes of direction.
After the separation, there is a slight downhill and less traffic. By then, a group of about eight people had formed and was pushing forward. As for refreshment, there was a lack of water before the ascent to Mark’s stone. I didn’t need water because I brought it with me, but some people around me were not happy about that.
Enjoying the nature
The area we ran to, Mark’s Stone, was beautiful and enjoyable. When the uphill started, it was constant and had to be pushed. It was great because I fit in with the group after the separation, which totally suited me in terms of form. There was no forcing, and I didn’t have to go over my border. The most important thing was silence, which is extremely important to me on climbs.
It was strange towards the end of the climb when I looked at the Garmin, and it showed 6.8 km. I previously knew how much more there was to the end. That’s when I knew that my planned crossing time was, of course, falling into the water, and I continued at the same pace. After the ascent, there was refreshment, which I only used to wet myself with water. I continued to run with a combination of fast walking because I had to push myself uphill to the asphalt.
End of the race
Towards the end of the race, they dragged us under the board track, which was too strenuous for many. When I got on the road under the board track, I started to run faster. There were a lot of supportive girls who cheered us on, so it was out of the question to run slower. In the sequel, I already saw the gates. Eventually, because of the heat, the faster you run, the gates move away. I felt a little tired, but my legs went on autopilot.
When I crossed the finish line, a funny situation happened. The first thing I thought was, where is my chip, and where should I verify it? Apparently, I miss orienteering.
As I reached the finish line first from my training group, I had time and opportunity to be alone and relax. That’s the most important thing for me after the race. In the end, considering the possibilities of developing my speed, the terrain, and my first race, I am satisfied with the result. I was 50th out of 126 persons in the female category.
Impression about the race
I, like other people, have a few objections regarding the race organization. The refreshments were not where they should have been. I don’t know the reason for changing the second refreshment location to 7km, but it has nothing to do with the 15km course. The trails were well-marked, and there was no way to get lost.
The slopes of the planned trails are such that even beginners in hiking can easily cross them. The participant packets were good, and there were plenty of useful things for after the race. A little attention could have been paid to photographing the 7 km runners and not focusing only on the 15 km runners. Everyone loves memories from races where they gave their best.
Kopaonik is a mountain that I love and to which I gladly return every year. I was glad that I had the opportunity to run in the forests of Kopaonik without orienteering for a change. I proved to myself how much my fitness and perseverance have improved. The atmosphere, emotions, and support during the Kopaonik Trail Race were at the highest level.
