240 kilometers through 7 mountain ranges around the Kłodzko Valley
They say running gives you freedom, and ultra and mountain running gives you extra distance, literally and figuratively, from the harsh realities of life.
races / discover
The Lower Silesian Mountain Running Festival (DFBG) is one of the largest running events in Poland. The competition is undoubtedly unique, extremely atmospheric, attracting runners from all over Poland, and for several years also an increasing number of competitors from abroad.
What makes the small but charming Lądek-Zdrój attract crowds of runners every year, around mid-July? The very middle of the holiday season, not the highest mountains, but there are more and more people starting in Lądek-Zdrój every year. Opinions vary. Some believe that the Stołowe Mountains and the Kłodzko Valley are the most atmospheric places in Poland. Others emphasize the possibility of choosing and diversifying the routes, and many competitors, having completed shorter distances in previous editions, decide to face the longest ones.
Traditionally, the 7 Summits Run, held over a distance of 240 kilometers, arouses great interest during the Festival. It is one of the longest runs in Poland. The route covers seven mountain ranges surrounding the Kłodzko Land. The route for true ultra connoisseurs is not the most technically demanding, there is a lot of asphalt and flat sections, but it certainly cannot be underestimated. Elevations are not the challenge here (+7670 m / -7670 m), but two full nights of running, lack of sleep and the length of the route. The 7 Summits Run is undoubtedly one of the most difficult challenges in the Polish ultra environment. The runners have the statutory 52 hours to complete the 240 km loop, usually struggling with the heat and obvious inconveniences during such a run, such as: lack of sleep, injuries, fatigue. Many runners come to Lądek especially for this longest route to test themselves and face the challenges of the body and psyche, and at the finish line experience gigantic satisfaction that covers great fatigue.
The four-day event begins on Thursday afternoon with the start of the longest festival run, and ends on Sunday afternoon with the decoration ceremony for all distances. The fact that the competition and sports level of the event is high is confirmed by the organization of the run as part of the festival, which is the qualifiers for the Golden Trail Championship – an elite competition in which the best mountain runners in the world will take part. The Polish edition joins the Czech-Slovak Golden Trail National Series.
The intimate atmosphere of Lądek-Zdrój changes beyond recognition during the DFBG. During this period, a quiet town becomes a real land of endorphins, over which the sports spirit of competition hovers. The runners emphasize that the magnet that attracts people to Lądek-Zdrój is the excellent organization of the entire competition and the specific atmosphere of the event.
Courses:
240 Seven Summit- Distance: 240 km Elevation: +7670 m/ -7670 m
130 Super Trial – Distance: 130 km Elevation: +3881 m/ -4021 m
110 K-B-L – Distance: 110 km Elevation: +3667 m/ -3600 m
68 Ultra Trail – Distance: 68 km Elevation: +2915 m/ -2915 m
45 Golden Marathon – Distance: 45 km Elevation: +2041 m/ -2041 m
33 Golden Mountains Trail – Distance: 33 km Elevation: +1500 m/ -1500 m
21 Golden Half-Marathon – Distance: 21 km Elevation: +1000 m/ -1000 m
10 Trojak Trail – Distance: 10 km Elevation: +405 m/ -405 m
Event website: dfbg.pl/en/
Photography: Piotr Dymus, Jacek Deneka