The final stage of the “Stirnu buks” season will take place in the Madona district

Text: Elīna Putene

On Saturday, October 12th, in the Smecere Forest, the beloved folk trail running series “Stirnu buks” will host its 2024 season finale. This race promises to be memorable with the highest hills of the Vidzeme Uplands and the landscapes near Madona blending with the Lubāna Plain. The 7th stage will also mark two significant milestones: simultaneous starts for different distances and the project’s step into a new level of sustainability.

As usual, the event starts with the ENEFIT hiking distances, suitable for those who want to enjoy the natural surroundings leisurely. The youngest runners, GARDU MUTI Susuri, will start at 11:00 AM followed by the Canicross and the longer GARMIN Lūsis and VENDEN Stirnu buks distances. A new feature of the season finale is the simultaneous start at 12:00 PM for the LATVIJAS VALSTS MEŽI school championship and Vāveres distances. The main organizer, Rimants Liepiņš, explains this decision with the Smecere Forest sports complex’s ample trail network that can accommodate a more significant number of participants without causing inconvenience to other runners. This will allow the award ceremonies for both the stage and the season to begin an hour earlier, giving participants time to reach their evening destinations. The season’s final start will be at 1:00 PM for the KARTE VESELĪBA Zaķis runners. Finally, at around 4:00 PM, the stage winners and the season’s fastest runners will be celebrated, so a more extended award ceremony is expected.

The event organizers highlight the importance of bringing your drinking containers and encourage carpoolers to consider this. Stepping towards a sustainable future, this stage introduces significant changes: water refilling will be available in the competition center Venden tent and at water points for your own or newly purchased containers. Plastic water bottles will not be available at the finish, thus reducing plastic consumption and caring for the environment. Participants are encouraged to support this initiative by choosing sustainable options.

The “Smecere Forest” sports complex, prepared as the event’s competition center, is on its way to hosting the Biathlon World Cup. It’s worth noting that “Smecere Forest” will be suitable for many other sports events by adapting the infrastructure for top-level competitions. The route creation and event organization have been supported by the sports complex’s director Gunārs Ikaunieks, his team, and the Madona municipality.

Gints Andžāns, an actor and executive director from Dailes Theatre who grew up near Madona, predicts that this could be one of the most challenging stages not only this season.

The trail running and hiking series “Stirnu buks” is suitable for anyone who wants to spend active time in nature and go on a seven-stage journey around Latvia, regardless of experience—beginner, seasoned runner, or simply looking for a day out in the fresh air. Families are also warmly invited to participate, as the available distance lengths and difficulty levels provide an appropriate adventure for every enthusiast.

Registration for the “Smecere Forest Stirnu buks” trail run/hike on the website stirnubuks.lv is open until October 10th at 12:00 PM. Last-minute registration is also possible at the venue on the event day!

Publicity photo: Failiem.lv

Press release prepared: September 27, 2024.
SIA “PLATFORMA.LV”
Elīna Putene
info@stirnubuks.lv

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