KOSOVO
SEPTEMBER 2024
Sept 20th - 3 Nights
Prices From £549 | DEPOSIT ONLY £109
Location: Kosovo & Albania
Accommodation: Mountain Cabin & Hotel
Running: 3 Runs. 23km, 23km, 13km
Terrain: 95% Trail, 5% Road
Maximum Places: 16 (All Shared Rooms)
Ability: Level 2 - ALL [Difficulty Pyramid]
Focus: Trail Runs - Bag Transfer Included
1 WEEKEND, 2 COUNTRIES
KOSOVO & ALBANIA
Itinerary
Two countries in one weekend! Join a small group of all abilities for a weekend of trail running in the Sharr Mountain range bordering Kosovo and Albania. Hosted by Nick Butter, you'll stay in a peaceful three-star hotel in Kosovo upon arrival, and spend the second night across the border in Albania in a typical mountain guesthouse - having run there. 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.
Day 1 - Friday 20th September
Welcome to Kosovo. If you're looking for flights - you'll need to fly into Pristina Airport anytime before 22:00 on Friday evening (20th September). We suggest you arrive either the day before (19th - there's easy low cost flights) or arrive anytime on the Friday. We will see you in arrivals at 22:30 Friday 20th September. Transport will take you to your accommodation for the first night in the heart of the stunning Sharr National Park. (We'll stop for late night food on route). Nick will host a breakfast briefing the following morning ahead of your stunning weekend on the trails of Kosovo and Albania. As always, every run has an inclusive adaptable pace and can be discussed individually.There is no pressure. You’ll have some time to get to know each other over traditional food and a fire pit (weather permitting). Please note: Although your first night will be in a hotel - you will be sharing rooms for the majority of the weekend.
Day 2 - Saturday 21st September
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 23km 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.
Day 3 - Sunday 22nd September
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 23km 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 - Monday 23rd September
The last day takes place in a completely different landscape. After an early breakfast, you are led out of the door by Nick at 09:00. A short 13km city run by the castle, that continues in the green area suburb will help to shake the 42km in your legs so far. As always, you are welcome to skip the run and take on one of our places-to-visit recommendations. From 11:30 we'll begin saying our goodbyes and head to the airport where the weekend concludes. If time permits, (depending on when you're flying home, we have an optional luxury spa afternoon to decompress).
Highlights
Included
Accommodation
3 Nights Accommodation
1 Night Hotel
1 Night Mountain Cabin
1 Night Guest House
Running
3 x Runs with Nick. Day 1, 23km. Day 2, 23km. Day 3, 13km. All over the mountains
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 Friday. (and get home again)
Activities
Runs with Nick
Transfer to and from the airport
Fire Pits
Star Gazing Evening
Photos
Nick and 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. We will collect you from the airport.
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
Early Bird
Standard
Limited Availability
1 Person
(Shared Room)
2 Persons
(Shared Room)
1 Person
(Shared Room)
2 Persons
(Shared Room)
Part of the accommodation for this Kosovo Run Weekend is in mountain cabins of which are ALL shared accommodation.
All places on this weekend will need to share a room.
Run Leader
Nick Butter
You'll be running with Nick.
Nick is very keen for every Run Weekend to be as inclusive as possible. Runners of all abilities, shapes and sizes, ages and genders, and from all walks of life. Nick has a vast wealth of experience. Many running world records, multiple best selling running books, dozens of awards, and has completed over 1013 marathons. You're in good hands.
Packing List
Suggestions:
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Running Shoes (Trail Ideally)
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Socks x 2 or 3
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Shorts x 2
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T-Shirt / Vest x 2
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Lightweight Waterproof / Windproof x 1
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Long Sleeve Breathable x 1
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Running Bag (2-3 litres minimum)
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Lightweight travel bag
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Medical / Allergies Card
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Head Torch
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Hand Sanitizer & Sun Cream
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Foil Blanket & Whistle
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Warm Jumper for the mountains
Optional
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Spare Thick Layer (if you're a cold person)
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Watch & Charger
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€50 - €100 Emergency Cash
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Lightweight Battery Pack & Cable
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Sunglasses
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Gloves if your fingers get cold
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Extra casual daytime outfit
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Extra snacks or drinks
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Pain Killers / Antiinflamatories
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Top Tip: Backup your phone before you come incase you drop it.
SECURE YOUR RUN WEEKEND
DEPOSIT ONLY 20%
Pay in full or 20% at checkout and the rest no later than 60 days before your Run Weekend
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