Races

Istria

Labin to Umag, CroatiaApril

Labin to Umag across the Istrian peninsula. Six thousand eight hundred meters. Učka, Buzet, Motovun. Coasteering, forests, and medieval stone.

168 km+16,208 ft-17,166 ft46 hours20 ft to 4,362 fttech 5/10Checkpoints per race book4 Running StonesMotovunUčkaWSER qualifierAprilRunning Stones · 4 stones
Distance168 km
Gain+16,208 ft
Loss-17,166 ft
Altitude20 ft to 4,362 ft
Technicality5/10
Air45°F to 75°F
Gradient profileOfficial UTMB race GPX
  • Start978 ft
  • High4,362 ft
  • Low20 ft
  • Finish20 ft

Field, 2026 · 13-year samplescraped

Starters374
Finish rate68%
Median32:56
Sub-2422

Geometryderived

Steepest drop1,490 ft-12.8% over 2.2 mi
Night miles42 misunset near 18:00 local

Course records

Men17:40:34Jim WALMSLEY2023 scraped
Women20:14:52Ragna DEBATS2022 scraped

The cruxUčka mountain climb and mainland Motovun section after Buzet (near mile 68)

Course DNA

The Course

Istria runs 168 km through Labin to Umag, Croatia. +16,208 ft gain and -17,166 ft loss. Surfaces skew 65% trail / 25% dirt road / 10% coastal rocky. Učka mountain climb and mainland Motovun section after Buzet. High point near 4,362 ft. Low near 20 ft. April temps run 45°F to 75°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 52.

The Work

Train for 16,208 feet of climbing across 168 km. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 46 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 5/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 68.

Kit

April in Labin to Umag, Croatia: plan for 45°F to 75°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 46 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 26. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 65% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 52.

Race Day

Hold effort through mile 26. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 52. Učka mountain climb and mainland Motovun section after Buzet near mile 68 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 34 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.

Results

Istria finish lines.

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