Metsovo race 2014 18k+970m, Epiros 20140601

2014's Metsovo race, trail running, "Sta chnaria tis arkoudas" (On the trails of the bear), 18km +970m elevation gain.

0,0k at 1150m - Start of the race from main square of Metsovo, just next to the monument of the bears. For first 1.6k the route passes through the village with stone or concrete roads, only downhill. Fairly fast start that separates the crowd into single stream of runners before entering narrow paths (very nicely thought through!)

1,6k at 1040m - Lowest point of the games and the route leaves concrete road into small path and starts ascent still through the village (with some parts again on stone roads and even asphalt). This section leaves the village, crosses national road Ioannina - Trikala and enters hiking path. Only ascent.

3,2k at 1260m - Entering the forest with hiking path. The real mountain race starts from here! Path is narrow, full of wet mud (after one week of rains) and very very steep. This means - walking or "power hiking". Stronger runners still could maintain running cadence but not me :-P This section continues for about 1,3k until top station of ski center. Only ascent.

4,5k at 1470m - Ski center, ski lift top station. Quick and fun downhill first through forest and later through field into first aid station.

5,1k at 1400m - First aid station, fully equipped with all kinds of drinks (iso, juice and water) and all kinds of food (fruits, sweet and salty snacks, power bars). I grabbed only some fruits since I was carrying water with me and still had pretty much full tank. After some ascent (1k) through very wet path, route hits wider dirt road and continues flat for another 1k until end of road and begin of another bigger climb with narrow path.

7,1k at 1480m - Narrow path and big climb. It's so steep here I had to power hike again (maybe only hike this time :-P). First in the forest and later in open grass land until highest point of the games at 1580m.

8,0k at 1580m - Highest point. It was pretty foggy at the time I passed this place and for some 300-400m I had to really look for the markings! Fortunately they were very well prepared and I managed to follow. Very nice fast descent starts from the top and I cought up to some runners in front of me very soon. The path along the ringe (with views in both directions) continues like that for another 2k. This was a relief for my tired quads!

10,3k at 1490m - Into the forest and much faster downhill! Awesome section, by far the best in the whole race. Incredebily fast and fun! I didnt even know I could go so fast :-D I managed to overtake fellow two runners I did previous section with and even catch an eye glimps of bigger group in front just before hitting second aid station.

11,4k at 1410m - Second aid station. Pretty much same equipped as the first one. And again I took anly fruits, still having more than 300ml of water with me. With some other runners stopping for snacks I managed to over take few. Mixed section starts from here, with some flat, mild ascent and downhill, and continues for about 2k.

13,2k at 1420m - Dirt road/Ski center. Out of the forest and crossing small bridge and dirt road next to ski center. Small and quick climb and later downhill to enter open field full of water. Running flat through some serious mud! Again - awesome run :-D

14,5k at 1390m - Last aid station. Probably same equipped but I didnt pay too much attention. Again I just took a fruit having some (probably 100ml) water with me. It was close to the end and I figured out I will be fine water wise. Also I was tired and trying to keep up the tempo of two fellow runners I cought earlier on the muddy section, and didnt want to loose them by spending time on snacks. Just after the station, there was huge climb (last of the race), very steep and quite long (or it seemed like one :-D). I knew it's the last one so I just kept pushing. The last big downhill was really difficult, following ski route! Very steep and for most part I had to control the speed by breaking (burning quads even worse than during ascent).

16,2k at 1290m - End of ski route downhill. Route enters national road for a bit and turns left into the village. Again with stone roads with very steep descent, route follows through the village all the way down to main square. I really let go at last 1k and run with all I had. I managed to loose my fellow runners and even overtake another one just on last flat section (around the square) to arrive on the finish line :-DDDDD

17,8k at 1150m - I crossed the line on 27th position (not bad for a debut) with time of 1:52:27 (net time 1:52:15). Very happy with the result!

I mark it difficult (as for me). The organization was awesome and route even better! It is so much fun compared to road running! The moment I finished I wanted to sign for another race :-D Next year maybe the big (40k) route...
I will try to add more photos from the route if I'll find them somewhere on official site of the race.