Valmiera City Trails Stirnu buks

On September 13th in Valmiera, with the competition center near St. Simon's Church, the fifth stage of the trail running series “Stirnu buks” for this season will take place – Valmiera City Trails Stirnu buks, bringing together both experienced runners and active leisure enthusiasts from all over Latvia and abroad. Participants will have the opportunity to choose from five different distances – Susura (~1 km), Vāveres (7 km), Zaķa (12 km), Stirnu buka (24.5 km), or Lūša (31 km).

Not only runners but also hikers can participate in the competition, with the option to register for one of four distances. For hiking participants, no timekeeping will be conducted. Competitors in the longer distances will also face an additional speed stage “SALOMON Stirnu buks Mountain King,” where time is separately recorded to determine the fastest runners in that segment. Alongside individual competitions, there will also be a school championship and a team battle for the overall standings.

Organizers predict that more than 3500 participants will line up at the start in Valmiera. Traditionally, athletes from the Valmiera region have been particularly active in this series, and this time a significant representation from our region is expected in all distances, continuing the fight for victories in the overall standings.

Excitement prevails in the school super cup, where Rubene Primary School and other educational institutions from the region are still competing for honors. The team battles will add an extra “spice” to the competition, as this season features a new format where teams fight for a higher place in the team rankings, with “Kocēni” facing “VSK Burkānciems & CO” in the semifinals of the first league, and only one will advance to the finals. The Valmiera stage promises to be both a sporting challenge and an event full of emotions, where professional athletes and families with children will meet. This will be an excellent opportunity to enjoy an active day in the urban environment and nature, discovering Valmiera's most beautiful trails.

As Gaujmala’s Trailblazer and Valmiera stage ambassador Artis Ločmelis says: “Gauja is the key to Valmiera in all times and seasons. In truth, Valmiera and Gauja are like one whole, their characters and patterns alike. The magic of Gaujmala is woven into the streets of Valmiera and Stirnu buks trails. You cannot be a city patriot if Gauja is not in your heart. For us, the honor of the jersey is closer, and freedom is for honor.”