Rocky valley below Mount Slemä

3rd edition · Low Tatras

Beh na Slemä

Short course. Big mountain. The best view waits at the finish.

5 km/800 m+/1514 m a.s.l.

Saturday 15 August 2026 – Liptovská Porúbka, Slovakia

Dedicated to the memory of the 19 who fell in October 1944.

Why Slemä?

No endless flat kilometres. Beh na Slemä is a pure fight with the mountain – 5 km, 800 metres of climbing, and a reward at the top that money can't buy: the panorama of the Low Tatras from 1514 m. It's short. It will hurt. And that's exactly why you'll remember it.

  • A pure vertical battle

    From the SNP memorial in the Brtkovičná valley straight up to the ridge. No detours.

  • The reward at the top

    The finish sits right on Slemä (1514 m). The view – and a well-earned sweet drink.

  • A challenge you can take on

    Just 5 km. You don't need ultra legs – you need grit and respect for the mountain.

  • A community race

    Run by a village, not an agency. A homely atmosphere and a medal for everyone.

Wooden bench overlooking a forested valley on the course

More than a race

On 13 October 1944, during the Slovak National Uprising, an aircraft carrying a 19-member crew of the Czechoslovak parachute brigade crashed into Mount Slemä. No one survived. Parts of the wreck still lie at the summit – and next to them stands a memorial.

Beh na Slemä was founded as a sporting tribute to their memory. The course symbolically connects two memorials: it starts at the SNP memorial in the Brtkovičná valley and finishes a few steps from the crash site memorial at the summit. The first edition started on the 80th anniversary of the Uprising, as part of the National Ascent of Slemä.

Aircraft wreckage at the summit of Slemä
Memorial plaque of the crew with wreaths

Quick facts

When 15 Aug 2026 start 7:45 · bib pick-up from 6:45
Where Liptovská Porúbka Brtkovičná valley, Low Tatras
Distance 5 km
Climb 800 m+ average grade 16 %
Finish 1514 m a.s.l. Slemä summit
Entry fee from 15 € race numbers are limited by the national park permit

The course – 5 km that will test you

The race starts at the SNP memorial in the Brtkovičná valley (719 m a.s.l.). From there the course climbs through forest and later up a rocky mountain trail – all the way to the summit of Slemä (1514 m a.s.l.). Over 5 km you gain more than 800 vertical metres at an average grade of 16 %. Expect steep pitches, roots, rocks and a finale that tests both head and legs.

800 m 1000 m 1200 m 1400 m 719 m – start, SNP memorial aid station below the bunker 1514 m – finish, Slemä summit
→ → The course follows the red, blue and green trail markings – in that order from start to finish.
View from the forest into the Liptov basin
Backlit forest on the course in August

What Saturday looks like

  1. 6:45 – 7:30 Bib pick-up and check-in
  2. 7:45 Mass start at the SNP memorial
  3. ongoing Aid station at the picnic table below the bunker (cut-off 1 h 15 min)
  4. ~10:30 Prize ceremony at the start area

Arrive in time for bib pick-up – the start is early and everyone starts together.

Entry fee

Online in advance 15 €
On race day 20 €

Your entry includes

  • Chip timing
  • Refreshments on the course and at the finish
  • A post-race meal – meat or vegetarian
  • A commemorative medal

Register online to save 5 € and make life easier for the organisers. Race numbers are limited by the national park permit – don't wait.

Online registration is open until 14 August 2026 or until capacity is full.

Commemorative medals hung on the aircraft wreck at the summit of Slemä
The commemorative medal – for every finisher. photo: Martin Profant

Categories

You race in a category by gender and age. Men and women are ranked separately:

MenWomen
under 40 under 40
40 – 60 40 – 60
veterans (60+) veterans (60+)

Minimum age: 18, no exceptions. Age is counted by year of birth.

How to enter

Registration does not happen on this website. You enter via the raceresult registration portal – it's quick.

  1. Click “Register”

    it takes you to the registration portal.

  2. Fill in your details and pay

    15 € online.

  3. Come to bib pick-up on the morning of 15 Aug

    collect your number and run.

Missed the deadline? You can also register on race day for 20 € – but only if any race numbers are left.

Practical info

Getting there

Liptovská Porúbka sits next to Liptovský Hrádok, just off the D1 motorway (Liptovský Mikuláš). The start is in the Brtkovičná valley by the SNP memorial.

The race starts early and no public transport arrives in time – plan to come by car.

Parking

Free, on the meadow by the old outdoor school – plenty of space for everyone, a 2-minute walk from the start.

Navigate to the parking

What you must carry

A mobile phone – mandatory equipment.

What we recommend

  • Trail shoes with solid grip (the course is rocky and steep)
  • A windproof jacket – the summit can be cold and windy
  • Your own fluids for the course
  • Mountain insurance – not mandatory, you race at your own risk
  • Good spirits and respect for the mountain

Facilities at the start

  • Toilets (portable) at the start
  • No changing rooms – arrive ready to run.
  • No bag drop at the start. Want dry clothes at the finish? Bring a bag of up to 1 kg, labelled with your name and phone number, to the municipal office by 11:30 on Friday 14 August – we'll carry it to the summit for you.

For spectators and family

You can hike up to the finish at the summit of Slemä. Keep in mind the race starts early – only early birds will see the first finishers.

Weather and the mountains

The race takes place in the high-mountain environment of a national park. Watch the forecast – mountain weather changes fast. Follow the organisers' instructions and the course markings.

Frequently asked questions

Where and when is the race?

On Saturday 15 August 2026 in Liptovská Porúbka, Slovakia. The start is at 7:45 by the SNP memorial in the Brtkovičná valley, the finish at the summit of Slemä (1514 m a.s.l.).

What is the course like?

One course – 5 km with over 800 m of climbing at an average grade of around 16 %. Forest and rocky mountain trail, uphill all the way from 719 m to 1514 m.

Why Slemä of all places?

On 13 October 1944, a 19-member crew of the Czechoslovak parachute brigade fighting in the Slovak National Uprising died in an aircraft crash on Mount Slemä. Parts of the wreck still lie at the summit, next to a memorial. The race was founded as a sporting tribute to their memory.

How much is the entry fee?

15 € if you register online in advance, 20 € on race day. It includes chip timing, refreshments, a post-race meal and a commemorative medal.

How do I register?

Online via the raceresult portal – the “Register” button takes you there. Registration does not happen on this website. Online registration is open until 14 August or until capacity is full.

Is the number of participants limited?

Yes – race numbers are limited by the Low Tatras National Park permit. Don't wait too long to register.

Can I register on the spot?

Yes, on race day for 20 € – but only if any race numbers are left.

Is the race timed?

Yes, chip timing is included in the entry fee.

Is there an age limit?

Minimum age 18, no exceptions. Categories: under 40, 40 – 60 and veterans over 60 – age counted by year of birth.

Do I get a medal / T-shirt?

Every finisher gets a commemorative medal. There are no T-shirts – that's part of how the entry fee stays at a symbolic 15 €.

Is there a time limit?

Yes, there is a 1 h 15 min cut-off at the aid station. Anyone outside the limit turns around and descends along the marked route.

What do I need to carry?

A mobile phone is mandatory. We recommend trail shoes, a windproof jacket (the summit can be cold and windy) and your own fluids – the course is steep and rocky.

Can I have a change of clothes carried to the finish?

Yes. Bring a bag of up to 1 kg, labelled with your name and phone number, to the municipal office in Liptovská Porúbka by 11:30 on Friday 14 August – it will be waiting for you at the summit.

Are there changing rooms at the start?

No, arrive ready to run. There are portable toilets at the start.

Where do I park?

On the meadow by the old outdoor school – free, plenty of space for everyone, a 2-minute walk from the start.

Can I get there by public transport?

No – the race starts early in the morning and no connection arrives in time. Plan your own transport.

Can spectators come?

Yes, you can hike up to the finish at the summit of Slemä. But the race starts early – if you want to see the first finishers, you'll need to get up early too.

Am I insured?

No – you race at your own risk. Personal insurance (e.g. mountain insurance) is recommended but not mandatory.

I can't make it – do I get a refund?

Write to Marek of OZ Porúbčania at info@behnaslema.sk or call +421 907 364 045 – we'll work it out.

What if the weather is bad?

The race takes place in a high-mountain national park environment – watch the forecast. Any changes are decided by the organisers. If the race has to be cancelled, your entry fee carries over to the next edition.

It has happened twice already

Two editions behind us. See how it looked and join the third.

See all editions →

Who is behind it

Beh na Slemä is organised by the people of Liptovská Porúbka.

The idea was born with Jakub Moravčík, Marek Galvánek and Peter Králik. Since the very first steps, Janka Mrlianová of the Liptov Community Foundation has been one of the driving forces of the race.

Safety: The race is watched over by the Mountain Rescue Service, volunteer firefighters from Liptovská Porúbka and Liptovský Hrádok, local hunters and the commons association.

All partners →

Results