Join us in Kosovo for 3 glorious trail running days in Sharr National Park. We'll run over the border from Kosovo into Albania, with North Macedonia in the distance. Hop from one accommodation to the next, feast on exceptionally tasty traditional food and relax around the fire of an evening. It's not a race. Here at Run Weekends we pride ourselves on offering ours trips to all abilities. We run together and take it slow.
- Early Bird Spaces Available
Book now with 20% Deposit
Itinerary
Two countries in one weekend! This is a special one. Join a small group of all abilities for a weekend of trail running in the Sharr Mountain range bordering Kosovo and Albania. Hosted by experienced Run Weekends crew along with local guides. You'll stay in a mountain resort hotel on the first night, high in the mountains. Your second night across the border in Albania in a typical mountain guesthouse - having run there, over the border from Kosovo. Arrive on Friday evening and meet the group over dinner. Saturday and Sunday are scheduled for just over a half-marathon distance - all trail running. You'll jog along the panoramic range finishing with traditional mountain food. Before you head home, it's a short looped 13km run post breakfast in the mountain once more. To finish you'll have a superb lunch and time to take in the city. If you have time before your flight, there's a spa in the city which is exceptional.
Day 1
Welcome to Kosovo. Having landed in Kosovo's capital Pristina, transport will take you to your accommodation for the first night in the heart of Sharr National Park. This place is stunning! The journey time is about 2 hours from Pristina. We'll stop for food on route. The team will host a briefing the following morning ahead of your weekend on the trails of Kosovo and Albania. As always, every run has an inclusive adaptable pace. Most people arrive worries they aren't fast enough. This is simply not the case. We'll keep everything very casual. There is no pressure. You’ll have some time to get to know each other over traditional food the first night in the mountains. Possibly a fire pit (weather permitting). Please note: Although your first night will be in a hotel - you will be sharing rooms for the of the duration of the weekend. We'll accommodate you together if you book together where possible.
Day 2
Set your alarms for 07:30 and be out the door for 09:00. As the sun rays are finding their way through the rocky mountains surrounding the accommodation, you will be on the trail in just a few seconds. The 32km trail will take you through the remote terrains of the Sharr National Park. Expect to snap pictures of endless mountain ranges since the nearest villages are miles away. The only traffic expected is the hundreds of sheep, their shepherds, and their dogs. We will pack your lunch and together decide on the best spot to enjoy our deserved rest. Reaching the destination means that we have completed a half marathon distance, having crossed into Albania. Settle into your cozy mountain chalet, rest, shower, and change. Dinner includes a rich traditional menu satisfying all tastes and preferences. The rest of the night is planned to relax by the fire under the stars. Please note: the mountain cabins are occasionally unavailable and so alternative accommodation nearby can be used.
Day 3
A slightly earlier start on the second day as we plan to leave the chalets and have breakfast by 08:00. The trail ahead of you is another 22km with plenty of up and down through the Albanian side of Sharr mountain range. Lunch is packed with some snacks to make the trail experience refreshing and full of energy. There will be plenty of time to rest those tired legs in the afternoon before heading back to Kosovo via a short road trip. The evening is set for a special dinner and a city stroll in the picturesque old town of Prizren. Each run will be led by Nick and have local guides and photographers - so take advantage of their presence and come away with knowledge and some good snaps.
Day 4
The last day takes place in a completely different landscape and is flexible depending on times of departure flights in Pristina. We have the option of running either in Prizren in the morning and travelling back to the capital in the afternoon, or we'll travel back early from Prizren and run in Pristina in the afternoon. The Prizren run is a 13km city run up to the old castle over looking the city. The run is a series of switch backs which continue into the suburbs. Pastries, drinks and showers, and it's time for goodbyes. If time permits, (depending on when you're flying home), we have an optional extra in the form of a luxury spa afternoon to decompress - If you have time, this is not to be missed.
- Book Together - Grab a Discount -
Save up to £150 each
Highlights
- Early Bird Places - Book Early -
Save up to £200 each
Included
Accommodation
3 Nights Accommodation
1 Night Hotel & 1 Guest House
1 Night Mountain Cabin / or Hotel (Depending on availability)
Running
Run 1 - 29km
Run 2 - 27km
Run 3 - 13km
Meals
3 x Breakfast
3 x Lunch
2 x Dinner
Some running snacks
Travel
All travel within your weekend is included. All you need to do, is get to us on day 1 (and get home again)
Activities
3 x Runs
National Parks
Fire Pits (where possible)
Star Gazing Evening
Photos
The team will be taking photos throughout the weekend. You'll be sent these via a link post weekend.
Not Included
Travel
You must make your own way to and from our weekend location.
Travel Insurance. You must come prepared with appropriate travel insurance.
Extras
All drinks.
Additional food / snacks on marathon route.
Cash for souvernies
Kit
You'll need clothes. Run gear, casual beach clothes, decent footwear and any bags, bottles etc you may want for the runs
Getting to us
Meeting Point
Your Run Weekend will commence from 15:00. If you arrive early please make your way to the Swiss Diamond Hotel (although we are not staying here, this is a good meeting point). When all guests have arrived we'll make our way into the mountains. A Whatsapp group will be set up prior to your arrival to help with transport.
Arrival & Departure Times
Please arrive anytime before 15:00. If you arrive later this is not a problem, but we'll aim to leave Pristina by 19:00 at the latest.
Your Run Weekend will conclude at 14:00 on our final day back in Pristina. You're welcome to catch an earlier flight, but you may miss one of our final runs. If you have any specific onward travel that may impact your time with us, please inform us.
Getting to Pristina, (Kosovo's Capital)
There are a number of options to reach Pristina. (Please note these are suggestions only, we cannot guarantee travel routes) It's your responsibility to get to us.
Suggested Flights: (Remember - we do not cover your travel to and from your Run Weekend)
London Luton to Pristina - 06:20 arriving 10:35
London Heathrow via Vienna - 06:00 arriving 11:25
Top tip: Use the website 'Rome to Rio' to help plan your travel.
Important: Trip Confirmation
This trip operates with a maximum number of 20 guests and will be confirmed once a minimum number of 10 guests have booked. We will inform you once this number has been reached. If you wish to book travel in advance, please ensure your travel booking is fully refundable. We do not hold liability for loss of flights if this trip doesn't run.
Packing List
Suggestions:
-
Running Shoes (Trail Ideally)
-
Socks x 2 or 3
-
Shorts x 2
-
T-Shirt / Vest x 2
-
Lightweight Waterproof / Windproof x 1
-
Long Sleeve Breathable x 1
-
Running Bag (2-3 litres minimum)
-
Lightweight travel bag
-
Medical / Allergies Card
-
Head Torch
-
Hand Sanitizer & Sun Cream
-
Foil Blanket & Whistle
-
Warm Jumper for the mountains
Optional
-
Spare Thick Layer (if you're a cold person)
-
Watch & Charger
-
€50 - €100 Emergency Cash
-
Lightweight Battery Pack & Cable
-
Sunglasses
-
Gloves if your fingers get cold
-
Extra casual daytime outfit
-
Extra snacks or drinks
-
Pain Killers / Antiinflamatories
-
Top Tip: Backup your phone before you come incase you drop it.
SECURE YOUR TRIP
DEPOSIT ONLY 20%
Pay in full or 20% at checkout and the rest no later than 60 days before your Run Weekend
Are you coming?
