Šlokenbekas Stirnu buks
We have crisscrossed half of Latvia running "Stirnu buks 2018". And now, in the 5th stage of the race we are returning to our roots - the place where the trail race series was born 5 (!!!) years ago! And, of course, we are not going to do it without the Vilkaču “Werewolf” Forest, the Āžu (“Billy g oat”) Hill and the Tukums district forests - the places where our powers will be reinforced b by the creepy creatures and mysterious beings of the eerie legends they are surrounded by. At this stage it feels like we have only just begun the race - our tribe of runners is constantly growing! Running into the woods a human being undoubtedly becomes a better being! We truly believe that the Latvian forests were initially born with this mission- to bring every one of us into the woods!
Start / Finish :: Šlokenbeka manor, Engure region. GoogleMap here!
Competition Program :: HERE!
Detailed distance maps :: HERE!
If you wish to see the map of distances on your mobile phone, download LVM GEO mobile app in the GooglePlay or AppStore!
Data files for the LVM GEO for the mobile application: Lūsis (Šlokenbeka, 2018), Stirnu buks (Šlokenbeka, 2018), Zaķis (Šlokenbeka, 2018), Vāvere (Šlokenbeka, 2018)
GPX files for distances are available here (click on "Save link as"!): “Vāvere – GPX”, “Zaķis – GPX”, “Stirnu buks – GPX”, “Lūsis – GPX".
This is the only stage in the trail run series that has been faithfully featured on the Stirnu Buks seasonal calendar for all five years, but this time we'll run on previously unmarked trails!
Draņķozols - the cursed oak tree and the mysterious location roundabout Āžu kalns (“Billy Goat Hill”) have been talked about in at least five legends featuring werewolves and and twice as much ghost stories. The most mentioned has been the spirit of “Vadātājs”- the famous being playing tricks on lost travelers, adventurers and berry-pickers walking them to the cursed oak tree again and again until exhaustion and bringing them to fear and misery. Now there is only a plaque marking the spot of the cursed oak tree, however we are thankful for the legends which have inspired us to organize the race and to the ancient oak tree for giving us courage!
"In today's Kurzeme, there is some knowledge that wreckers, removing those who are brutally harm nature, cut down forests - not for their own survival, but coldly calculating to gain profit are hunted and murdered by interwove," writes Ralfs Kokins. We would like to hope that "Stirnu buks" has managed to show some of the infinite, mysterious beauty and attraction of Latvia’s forests! Run into the woods, hug your tree, and put the jelly packet, which you just ate back into your pocket!
Feel the earth, trees, grass and flowers inside your heart. Bow your head in front of Mother nature and connect yourself to her energy. You are united with the Earth!
The track was designed and built by Gints Konošonoks in 2018.