Ještěd Winter Skyrace, 6.12.2025
2025-12-06Ještěd
We have been gathering courage for this winter race for 4 years before we finally dared to stand at the start. The mountains in December can prepare harsh conditions on their own and in combination with the extremely demanding race track it was a huge challenge.
I respectfully stood with Amiga on the longest “Skyrace” track of 22 km with an elevation gain 1281 m I must have gone crazy, I hate up hill running or cold weather, but somehow I couldn’t resist this challenge. I completed the entire race in 3 hours and 58 minutes (of course with detailed documentation and numerous selfies from the track). Erik + Frozen and Natálka + Bella conquered the “Trail” track together – 12 km and over 600 m of elevation gain. It took them 1:29, they didn’t even have time to stop at the refreshment station and Erik came in 3rd place among men with dogs regardless of age. There was also our progeny Fayla Fury Niktel who fought on the 6 km track to get bronze medal, as well.
Before the race, it snowed in the mountains, then came the thaw, frost and more snow. In the lower elevations there was mud and streams of melting snow, in the higher elevations the snow held and in places the terrain resembled an ice trough. The whole way we were accompanied by icy wind, fog and at places snow flakes stung us in the faces.
In one word, it was UNFORGETTABLE. That contains everything. An extremely powerful experience. Our hardest race ever. It cannot be compared to the summer version, which we have already completed several times. This time we really had to put all our mental and physical strength into it and overcome our ultimate limits. We found strength in ourselves that we didn’t even know we had. Along the way, we alternated between good mood, anticipation, determination, and joy, with fear, exhaustion, and hopelessness, and then complete euphoria at the finish line.
We are glad that we decided to take part in this madness, even though it was tough and it hurt. There are a few photos from Saturday below, and video where you will feel the real atmosphere of a tough mountain race.
