In a distance of 70 kilometers, the runners had to overcome more than 2,600 meters of ascent, a special challenge was an additional loop through the forests of the Lorupe ravine with multiple river crossings. This sector of the track seemed like a wild off-road race after the wide, well-maintained walking trails of the Gauja National Park.
In addition to the mentioned convincing winners, Ronimois and Meirēnas, who both won Latvian championship medals in 70km trail running in “Stirnu Buk” in August – Ronimaois with silver, Meirēnas with bronze, Andrejs Pupurs and Kristaps Čehovičs, as well as Sanita Roze, also made it into the top three in the Sigulda mountain marathon. and Maria Kraule.
Simultaneously with the 70-kilometer mountain marathon, two satellite races of shorter distances – 35 and 15 kilometers – took place. Also in these distances, the amount of vertical climbs is impressive – over 1300 and 600 meters. Kristīne Žogota and Edgars Daugulis won the 35km, while orienteers Laura Berķe and Gajs Sabo Bārs remained unbeaten in the 15km.
The history of the marathon began 19 years ago, it is the most difficult annual long-distance race in Latvia. Although the marathon is one of the national sports events, winning it is also an honor for professional athletes, so far four Latvian Olympians have also won laurels.
Since 2007, the Sigulda Mountain Marathon has been included in the list of qualifying races for the world’s most popular mountain marathon – the 165-kilometer race around Mont Blanc (Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc).
Resources used:
sigulda.lv
