“I was so enthusiastic to run this race, uplifted by the good mood at this event which made it such a great experience. Seeing all these familiar faces and friends gives it a vibe of meeting up with friends for a fun run” Our friend Petra Lieberherr from Switzerland is back on trails and she is the winner of 25km. Stray Trail Thessaloniki Stage Run! Congrats Petra, thanks for sharing!
“When my friends Christos Dartsis and Kostas Ntelias first told me, that they have this vision of organizing a Trail Running Race in Thessaloniki, I was wondering if they were sure that it would be a trail run not a road run. But they made me so curious to participate the first TSR Thessaloniki Stage Race and see myself, what it is all about this place called Seih Sou, a hilltop forest also known as Kedrino Iofos, north of the urban center of Thessaloniki.
Sunday morning and everyone at the starting line is ready for the last race of the Stage Run: the Stray Trail. A 25 kilometer adventure through Seih Sou. Luckily the weather on the last day of the running event has better intentions than the previous days: No rain and the sun was about to peak through the clouds.
I was so enthusiastic to run this race, uplifted by the good mood at this event which made it such a great experience. Seeing all these familiar faces and friends gives it a vibe of meeting up with friends for a fun run.
And that is what it was. A small group of runners embarking on the Stray Trail. I start with a good speed, but I told myself not to push too much, because my physical condition wasn’t at its peak. Almost no training for two months prior and some health setbacks wouldn’t make it easy to race 25 kilometers of demanding trails. But I thought my positivity and enthusiasm will help me to get through the whole race. And so it did!
But I can’t lie, it was without any doubts the hardest race I have done so far. Unexpected terrain with a variations of paths and technical bits with rocky downhills and steep ascents. I was surprised but also stoked. But the shift up up and downhills gave my legs the burn and I struggled with keeping my energy level right. So I felt like I need to refuel constantly which ended up messing with my stomach. The last 5 kilometers were tough. I was about to give up and stop the race. I couldn’t go on anymore. My body didn’t feel well and running on my own made it hard to find motivation. So I was extremly happy to bump into one of my friends, standing a a tree, stretching his leg agains a cramp. I had a good laugh and I found new energy and finally finished the race surprinsingly as first woman.
I hope this won’t be the first and the last time this race will take place. You don’t always have to travel far from a city to find great trails and nature. I am looking forward to the second edition of the TSG, and I hope for see more female runners at the starting line!”
