Letecká stovka.
The Letecká stovka is a 106 km mountain ultra that leaves Trenčín for the Považský Inovec and Strážovské vrchy ranges and returns to the town. Held in early March and billed by its organiser as a winter event, it asks one thing above all: that you can still run the back half, home to its longest climb, with more than 60 km already in your legs.
the Letecká stovka 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Start and finish are at Arena Ostrov in Trenčín. The first 20 km or so are flat; only then does the loop turn into the hills. A run of steep climbs takes you to just over 800 m by around km 35, after which the course drops away in long waves until it is almost back at valley level near km 63.
The second half is the harder one. From km 68 the longest climb rises for more than six kilometres at an average of nine percent, and the course then stays up at around 900 m until roughly km 86. After the descent, a steep climb of almost two and a half kilometres starts at km 92, and the final stretch runs flat back into Trenčín.
The race is organised by Slovak Ultra Trail and capped at 250 starters. It carries 3 ITRA points and counts towards the Slovak ultratrail league. The organiser treats it as a winter sporting event: some sections turn muddy when wet, warm and waterproof clothing is part of the basic kit, and six refreshment stations with food and drink are spread around the loop.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 19.7 | 1.4 km | 10.1 % | 24.9 % | +139 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 25.6 | 2.5 km | 8.5 % | 20.8 % | +216 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 30.1 | 1.7 km | 11 % | 23.5 % | +189 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 51.7 | 2.7 km | 7.9 % | 22.6 % | +215 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 54.7 | 1.3 km | 9.6 % | 21.4 % | +123 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 68.2 | 6.3 km | 9.4 % | 21.6 % | +597 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 76.9 | 0.8 km | 11.1 % | 21.1 % | +92 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 91.7 | 2.4 km | 13 % | 25.4 % | +316 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 the Letecká stovka.
Start under control
The flat first 20 km are a test of restraint, not a part of the race. Run them at road pace and you pay for it in the second half, where the course does its real work. Keep this section easy enough to feel too slow, and hike the steep ramps in the hills from the very first one.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided between km 68 and 95. The long climb, the high section that follows it and the steep ramp from km 92 add up to around a thousand metres of ascent on legs that have already covered a mountain marathon. The aim is to still be running up on the high ground rather than walking all of it.
Spend what is left
The classic trap is the valley around km 63. After the long descents this section feels easy, and it is tempting to bank time there, right before the longest climb of the day. Use it instead to eat, adjust your clothing and start the climb with a settled heart rate. The same logic applies on wet, muddy descents: controlled running costs less than braking hard.
Training plan for the Letecká stovka: 12-week build
Build the base
Expect roughly 15 to 22 hours as an age-group runner. The effort is mostly long and aerobic, broken up by steep ramps where you walk but still have to produce a lot of force. With an early-morning start in early March, a pace like that inevitably carries you into darkness, so running by headtorch belongs in your preparation.
Train race pace
Because the hardest climbs come late, your training should load the climbing late too. Build long runs so the biggest climb arrives only after several hours, and pair two long sessions on consecutive days. Practise brisk uphill hiking for several kilometres without a break, since the climb from km 68 takes a long time even for strong runners.
Rehearse the course
The conditions are part of the course. Train outdoors in cold and wet weather, test warm, waterproof clothing on long runs, and get used to eating and drinking regularly at low temperatures. Seek out muddy, slippery ground on purpose so it holds no surprises on race day.
Arrive fresh
Finally, the descents. After the high section and after the last ramp the course runs downhill for a long way, followed by flat kilometres to the finish. Strengthen your quads deliberately and occasionally finish long runs with a descent and a flat stretch, so the switch from running downhill to running on the flat is something you have practised.
Courses
Download the the Letecká stovka course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Letecká stovka dynamically
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Everything about Letecká stovka.
How long is the Letecká stovka?
the Letecká stovka is 106 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 the Letecká stovka have?
the Letecká stovka has around 3,361 m of elevation gain over 106 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of the Letecká stovka?
the Letecká stovka is classified as Mountainous, averaging 31.4 vertical metres per kilometre. 24% of the route is flat, 24% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 16% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does the Letecká stovka have?
The hardest climb of the Letecká stovka starts at kilometre 68.2, runs for 6.3 km at an average of 9.4% and gains 597 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 2. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is the Letecká stovka a loop course?
Yes, the Letecká stovka is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the the Letecká stovka course?
Yes. The the Letecká stovka 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 the Letecká stovka?
Preparation for the Letecká stovka should account for 106 km, 3,361 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 the Letecká stovka?
The pacing strategy for the Letecká stovka should reflect 106 km, 3,361 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 Letecká stovka take place?
Letecká stovka takes place on March 6, 2027.
Where does Letecká stovka take place?
Letecká stovka takes place in Trenčín, Slovakia.
Which distances does the Letecká stovka offer?
the Letecká stovka offers 2 distances — Letecká stovka 106 km: 106 km; Letecká 55: 55 km.
How do I register for the Letecká stovka?
Registration runs through the organiser: letecka100.sk. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
