A Roman-themed night epic through Slovenia's wine country and karst
Other trail races within 97 miles
The Emperor is UTVV's flagship race — a 162 km loop starting at 19:00 on Friday from Ajdovščina. Runners head out through vineyards and karst terrain onto the windswept Nanos plateau before descending into the valley and ascending again through the Čaven and Trnovo forests, passing through medieval villages on the return. The infamous Nanos descent (around km 30) tests the quads early, and the course continues through the night and into the following day and night before finishing back in Ajdovščina up to 46 hours later. With 6300 meters of climbing, 13 aid stations, GPS trackers for all starters, and two drop-bag transitions, the race demands mountain experience and careful long-distance pacing. All finishers receive a Roman Medal of Honour; Emperor finishers receive the exclusive Roman Ring of Honour. The race is a WSER 2027 lottery qualifier (6 ITRA points).
Experienced ultrarunners
Ajdovščina, SloveniaApril 24, 2026
| Location | km | Elevation |
|---|---|---|
Start Start | 0.0 | 103 m |
Finish Finish | 158.9 | 105 m |
Sign in to see cutoffs, crew access, drop bags, and services for every aid station.
Camping Ajdovščina (Ulica Quiliano 8) is the official campground at the UTVV venue, with 50 sites for tents, caravans, and motorhomes — trail runners receive a 20% discount. Additional options: Camping park Lijak near Nova Gorica (60 pitches, hookups), and Camp Tura in Vipava (designed for ultratrail athletes with secure storage and shakeout access).
Bora wind on Nanos plateau and exposed ridgelines can reach 100 km/h. Mandatory waterproof jacket (10,000 mm min) required throughout.
Temperatures drop sharply overnight, especially near the Nanos summit (1264m). Organizers may require a COLD WEATHER KIT (waterproof pants, warm layers, gloves) based on forecast.
April weather in the Vipava Valley is unpredictable — sun, rain, and mountain storms can all occur within a single race.
No required gear specified
No recommended gear specified
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