This July, the Durmitor mountain range and the town of Žabljak became the epicenter of trail running action. The second edition of the Coinis Durmitor Trail Run welcomed nearly 1000 runners from 30 countries, from as far away as New Zealand and Canada to across the Balkans. During three days, athletes tested their speed, strength, and stamina against the breathtaking and unforgiving terrain of Durmitor.
This is my second time at the Durmitor Trail Run, as I was also there for the first-ever event in 2024, and it is always nice to be back. Likewise, it is nice to see the event grow, because that adds the dynamic and excitement to photography, since we have new locations and more competitors.
Durmitor never ceases to amaze me. The beauty here is unmatched, and every corner is picturesque and irresistible to a photographer’s eye. When you combine this with the dynamic of running athletes, you get exceptional photos where the landscape changes with every step they take.
The entire event was stunning, especially thanks to Durmitor’s spectacular lakes. Also called “mountain eyes”, these lakes are known for their turquoise or emerald waters that shift in color throughout the day, depending on the weather. Speaking of the weather, that one thing, entirely out of our control, sets the tone for the atmosphere. Every change in light transforms the setting, altering the mood and appearance of the location. Whether it is sunny or cloudy, no lake looks the same in the morning when runners set off as it does later in the day.
The event began on Friday with the Šljeme Vertical Kilometer, a new addition this year. The route took runners to the far side of Durmitor, passing through Savin Kuk and opening up spectacular views of Bobotov Kuk, the highest peak. Saturday was dedicated to the youngest nature and running enthusiasts, with children’s races held at Crno Jezero (Black Lake), filling the day with smiles and energy.
Sunday was packed with running action. Early morning at Riblje Jezero (Fish Lake) and Crno Jezero (Black Lake) saw runners set off on the main challenges: 42 km, 21 km, 10 km, and 5 km runs. Each course followed routes past Durmitor’s most stunning lakes, with nearly 2,000 meters of total elevation gain. Durmitor revealed both its beauty and its toughness, rewarding determined runners with views they will remember for a lifetime.
In the 42 km marathon, victory went to Brano Baltić of Montenegro (4:54:03), while in the women’s race Miluša Bošković (5:56:00) took first place, having also won the Vertical Kilometer two days earlier. The 21 km winners were Đuro Borbelj from Serbia and Mina Kosanović (2:14:54). On the 10 km course, Miljan Kukuličić (51:12) and Emilija Milanović (58:48) took top honors. The shortest distance, 5 km, was won by Mihailo Stanojević of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Rada Miladinović of Montenegro.
Durmitor Trail Run had a humanitarian aspect, this year as well. In cooperation with Montenegro’s National Parks, a new children’s playground worth over €70,000 will soon be installed near Crno Jezero.
Organizers No Limits Outdoor and the Skyrunning Club Durmitor Runners, with the support of numerous partners and sponsors, have once again shown that this event has the potential to become a fixture on the world trail running calendar. While the champions left with medals, every participant carried home the same reward – an unforgettable experience of running in this wild beauty.