Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB.
The Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB sets its queen distance with the I Feel Slovenia 120K: 124 kilometres and nearly 5,900 metres of climbing through the Julian Alps, spread across eight major ascents. Preparing for the 120K takes mountain endurance for a long day in the high country, with steep ramps beyond 45 percent and descents just as technical.
Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The 124-kilometre ultra of the Julian Alps begins at 21:00 on Friday night in the medieval town of Radovljica and runs point-to-point across the Julian Alps to the finish in Kranjska Gora. Lake Bled sits early on the route before the terrain turns serious: only around twelve percent of the course is flat, while more than forty percent falls into steep climbing and steep descending. The elevation adds up to nearly 5,900 metres, and although the finish sits net barely 300 metres above the start, the whole day is relentless up and down.
A first climb comes as early as kilometre 10 (3.1 km, 12 percent average), followed by further ramps around kilometres 30 and 34. After a flatter valley stretch the core of the course begins: between kilometres 61 and 76 three category-2 climbs stack back to back (16.5, 20.5 and just under 19 percent on average, with pitches up to 45 percent), rising to the high point around 2,000 metres on the Karawanks ridge over Stol, Golica and Klek.
A rolling high traverse follows, with a short, brutal wall at kilometre 88 (1.35 km, 23 percent average, up to 50 percent). Only then does the route drop into the valley, with one last short climb at kilometre 116 before the finish.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 9.8 | 3.1 km | 12.2 % | 29.8 % | +379 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 29.9 | 4.4 km | 10.3 % | 19.6 % | +449 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 34.5 | 1.7 km | 15 % | 23 % | +250 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 61.3 | 3.5 km | 16.5 % | 37.2 % | +572 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 69.7 | 3 km | 20.5 % | 35.6 % | +609 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 73.3 | 3 km | 18.9 % | 45 % | +570 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 88.4 | 1.4 km | 23.4 % | 49.8 % | +316 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 115.6 | 1.9 km | 11.5 % | 26.6 % | +215 m | Cat. 3 |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
How to pace Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB.
Start under control
Over 124 kilometres and almost 5,900 metres of climbing, energy management across many hours decides the race, not running speed. Take the first three climbs at kilometre 10, 30 and 34 well below your ceiling; they come early and tempt you to overreach, though the race is settled much later. The heart of the course is the block between kilometre 61 and 76: three steep climbs back to back (averaging 16.5, 20.5 and 18.9 percent, with ramps to 45 percent) leading to the high point at around 2,000 metres.
Hold your rhythm
Arrive there with full legs and you make the difference; burn out beforehand and you fall apart. A long descent follows the summit; spare your quads, because at kilometre 88 a short, brutal 23-percent ramp waits for tired legs.
Spend what is left
Eat and drink consistently from the start; the classic trap is running the early, rideable climbs and leaving nothing for the steep steps of the second half and the technical descents.
Training plan for Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB: 12-week build
Build the base
As an age-group athlete, plan for roughly 20 to 30 hours on the course; the field moves within a 32-hour time limit. This is not running in the usual sense: with only around twelve percent flat ground and more than forty percent steep terrain, long aerobic hiking uphill and technical descending trade off constantly, and a steady running rhythm rarely settles in.
Train race pace
The decisive stretch is the block between kilometres 61 and 76: three steep climbs in a row (up to 20 percent on average, pitches to 45 percent) up onto the Karawanks ridge, tackled with 60 kilometres already in the legs and in the middle of the night. The short wall at kilometre 88 (up to 50 percent) and the long descent into the valley that follows demand sure footing and quads that hold up on tired legs.
Rehearse the course
Preparation should therefore centre on long mountain days on back-to-back weekends, with plenty of vertical and deliberate power-hiking on steep ramps, poles included.
Arrive fresh
Train descents specifically under fatigue so you can absorb the eccentric load of the long downhills. Because the race starts in the evening and the key climbs fall into the night, headlamp night runs, confident movement on technical ground and a fuelling strategy that survives many hours all belong in the plan.
Courses
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Everything about Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB.
How long is Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB?
Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB is 122 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB have?
Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB has around 5,908 m of elevation gain over 122 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB?
Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB is classified as Mountainous, averaging 48.1 vertical metres per kilometre. 12% of the route is flat, 23% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 22% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB have?
The hardest climb of Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB starts at kilometre 69.7, runs for 3 km at an average of 20.5% and gains 609 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 2. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB a loop course?
No, Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB course?
Yes. The Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB?
Preparation for Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB should account for 122 km, 5,908 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB?
The pacing strategy for Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB should reflect 122 km, 5,908 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB take place?
Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB takes place on September 17, 2027.
Where does Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB take place?
Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB takes place in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia.
Which distances does Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB offer?
Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB offers 6 distances — I Feel Slovenia 120K: 122 km; Lake Bled 80K: 80 km; Sky Trail 50K: 55 km; Kranjska Gora 25K: 25 km; Intersport Speed 15K: 17 km; Funny 10K: 11 km.
How do I register for Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB?
Registration runs through the organiser: julianalps.utmb.world. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
