VM50 - Ultra Trail

A test of strength and persistence — a path that connects Vodno and Matka through primal terrain and natural challenge. For runners who seek the essence of trail running, not its easy side.

UTMB CATEGORY

ITRA POINTS

ITRA NATIONAL LEAGUE

distance

52 KM

ELEVATION GAIN

3,000 m+

START DATE

11.04.2027

START LOCATION

SKOPJE

RACE TIME LIMIT

11 hours

course description

MAP + PROFILE

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RULES

Course description

This 50K route represents a dynamic and challenging mountain adventure that connects the highest ridges of Vodno with the spiritual and historical depths of the Matka canyon. Click to read course details >>

The Ultra distance of 50 kilometers starts at the Makedonsko Selo complex in front of the Ethno Museum. From here, runners follow the asphalt road past the St. Panteleimon monastery and through the village of Gorno Nerezi. Immediately after the mosque, from the main road, you turn left on a narrow asphalt path steeply upward between the houses to climb toward the ridge of Vodno and the peak Kale (Kota) (6.6km) following a combination of gravel and single-track, narrow forest path. From Kale peak, you descend steeply downward, i.e., continue straight westward toward Matka along the western ridge of the mountain — a combination of technical winding descents to the Kayak Bridge at Matka (the first refreshment station at 10.6km).

From there, in the opposite direction along the Treska River, you run toward the dam, then along the narrow carved cobblestone path by the lake, and at the St. Andrea church you turn right and upward along the steepest segment of the race toward the ruined St. Nedela church (13.2km). From St. Nedela, you descend a hundred meters along a technical path, then turn left and immediately climb upward through beech forest to the gate of the Jasen reserve (14.8km). From there, you continue downward along an old and narrow asphalt road, which after 5km is cut short by a trail path and then exits onto a gravel road that leads almost to the St. Spas monastery. A hundred meters before the monastery, you separate left from the gravel onto a single mountaineering path and descend again to the kayak bridge at the same Matka 2 refreshment station (23.8km). The time limit to exit this station is until 12:30, which is 5 and a half hours.

From Matka, you climb toward the St. Nikola Shishevski monastery and then steeply upward to a meadow on one of the southern ridges above the village of Sv. Petka, from where by turning right (southward) you gently descend along a narrow grassy meadow to above the village where the third refreshment station is located (29.1km). After Sv. Petka, the route gently climbs toward the ridge and the Cross along a gravel road, up and down, which in places turns into a single track with red earth. You reach the saddle (where the excavators were) and first climb to the small peak, then through a narrow forest path you exit onto the gravel road along the gas pipeline. Through the bunkers, you cross to the left onto the beautiful forest path called Gunda.

At 35.3km there is the Gunda 1 junction where you turn upward to the right, briefly exit onto the gravel road (gas pipeline) on the ridge - cross over and separate to the left into a narrow single track path heading south toward the village of Sonje. Follow the path and after less than a kilometer turn left, and after a few km descend between the houses to the middle of the village of Gorno Sonje where the fourth refreshment station is located (37.9km). From there, past the repeater and through coniferous forest, climb again along a gentle-steep and wide mountaineering path, this time toward Vodno peak (Krstovar) (Millennium Cross).

At the peak, you don't go through the lodge but continue along the asphalt road, then take a shortcut after the curve near the military base, and after a hundred meters separate to the right to the forest gravel path that leads along the ridge eastward (toward Kitka - opposite from Matka). Run along the entire ridge and descend along Babina Path to the cottages below Markovo Kuvche where the fifth refreshment station is located (44.4km). From there, along a dirt path for two km you reach Sredno Vodno and through the ramps go up the asphalt (toward the peak), but at slightly less than one km from Sredno you turn left and climb along the MTB path Chistilishte to the cottage above the Children's Resort. Descend along the asphalt past Detsko and from there turn left along a mountaineering path that leads to Bunkeri.

The path is a single track that passes by several huge boulders and gently climbs again to the junction of the Gunda path (where you turned from Bunkeri toward Sonje). That is at 50km, then turn right and downward along a single trail to the finish at Makedonski Selo. You enter from the Upper Gate (near the fountain) and make one semicircle through the complex to finally finish at the restaurant on the square (52km).

Map and profile

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Race rules & regulations

Familiarize yourself with race rules and run with respect for nature, volunteers and runners around you, for a safe and fair sporting experience to all. Click titles to read race rules in detail >>

1. Race categories and distances

ULTRA 50K

Distance: 52 km
Elevation gain/loss: 3,014m D+
Start time: 07:00 am
Time limit: 12 hours
ITRA points: 3
Aid stations: 5
Cut-off points: 2

CLASSIC 30K

Distance: 31.6 km
Elevation gain/loss: 1,609m D+
Start time: 08:00 am
Time limit: 7 hours
ITRA points: 2
Aid stations: 4

SPRINT 18K

Distance: 18.7 km
Elevation gain/loss: 973m D+
Start time: 09:00 am
Time limit: 4 hours
ITRA points: 1
Aid statios: 1

CHILDREN'S RACES

4-6 years: 100m (start 10:00)
7-9 years: 400m (start 10:15)
10-12 years: 800m (start 10:30)

2. Sport equipment

MANDATORY EQUIPMENT

Race bib (visible on the front of the body)
Personal cup minimum 15cl (plastic-free race!)
Whistle for emergencies
Mobile phone TURNED ON (not on airplane mode!)

RECCOMENDED EQUIPMENT

SPRINT 18K:

Water minimum 500ml (bottle/flask/hydration pack)
Aluminum foil (1.4m x 2.0m)
Self-adhesive bandage
Clothing according to weather forecast
Trail running shoes

CLASSIC 30K:

Water minimum 500ml (bottle/flask/hydration pack)
Aluminum foil (1.4m x 2.0m)
Self-adhesive bandage
Food min. 300 calories
Clothing according to weather forecast
Trail running shoes

ULTRA 50K:

Water minimum 1L (bottle/flask/hydration pack)
Aluminum foil (1.4m x 2.0m)
Self-adhesive bandage
Food min. 600 calories
Headlamp with spare batteries
Clothing according to weather forecast
Trail running shoes

In case of unfavorable weather forecast, the organizer reserves the right to prescribe mandatory equipment necessary for runners' safety .

3. Participiation conditions

Minimum requirements:

Age: 18+ years (16-17 with parental consent)
Medical certificate: Recommended for all, especially for 50+ years
Required experience:
- 18K: Not required
- 30K: Not required
- 50K: 3 ITRA points from a race or any 30-50K race completed in the past 2 years

Semi-autonomous participation

Runners participate at their own risk
Runners must be autonomous (independent) between refreshment stations
Mental and physical preparedness and independence in dealing with variable mountain terrain, challenging weather conditions, fatigue, and minor injuries

*Registration requires:**

First and last name
Date of birth
Country
Email and phone
Emergency contact (name and phone)
Medical conditions and medications (if any)

*Registration is considered complete after successful payment of the fee

When picking up race bib:

Personal identification document with photo
Payment confirmation (email)
Signature on liability declaration

4. Race rules

Immediate disqualification for:

Intentional shortcutting of the route
Using transportation (bicycle, motorcycle, vehicle)
Insults and threats to other participants, volunteers, and medical personnel
Refusing to help an injured runner
Disobedience during equipment check
Determination of impaired health condition by medical personnel
Doping
False identity registration, i.e., participation with someone else's race number

Time penalties:

Littering on the trail: 30-60 minutes
Turned off phone: 15 minutes
Missing equipment: 15-30 minutes
Unauthorized assistance: 10-15 minutes
Dangerous overtaking: 10-15 minutes

Trail rules:

ALWAYS follow the race markings
Stay on the marked path
Carry all waste with you to the next station
Respect volunteers, other runners, and nature
If there's no marking for 200m, turn back

5. Aid stations

What's available:

Water, cola, and electrolytes (bring YOUR own cup!)
Food (details on website) for consumption at the station only
Hot beverages at certain stations (in cold weather)

External assistance:

Allowed: Only within 10m radius from station
Maximum: 1 helper, 10 minutes
Prohibited: Pacers, medical assistance, carrying equipment for another participant

6. Time limits

Maximum time (cut-off):

18K: 4 hours
30K: 7 hours
50K: 12 hours
Time restrictions at certain refreshment stations (time tables on website)

IMPORTANT: You must LEAVE the aid station before cut-off time!

7. Race withdrawal

If you must withdraw:

MANDATORY:

Call the Organizer's phone number (number on race bib)
Notify volunteers at the nearest station
Stay at the station until organized transport is available

For emergencies:

If lost and similar problems: Call the Organizer (number on race bib)
For injury and rescue: call SOS number on race bib

Do not leave mid-race without notifying the organizer! Unannounced withdrawal = search and rescue at YOUR expense!

8. Safety, markings and adverse weather conditions

*Race is cancelled if:**

Air temperature above 40°C
Lightning within 15km radius
Windchill temperature below -10°C
Poor air quality (AQI 151+)
Force majeure

*If the race is cancelled by the organizer more than 15 days before the start, a 20% refund is paid. No refund if the race is cancelled by the organizer less than 15 days before the start.

Communication:

SMS notifications for changes
Follow the race website and social media

Marking:

Primary markers: white-red PVC ribbons with logo, on the right side of the path
Additional markers: magenta signs with directional arrows
Additional markers: orange X signs indicating wrong direction - turn back
Night visibility: reflective markers for night sections
Enhanced marking on all paths at crossroads and separation points

GPS and technology integration:

Official GPS files on the race website
Mandatory to carry mobile phone for emergency communication
Recommended to install mobile navigation app with offline maps

9. Environmental protection

LEAVE NO TRACE principles:

NO littering (penalty 30-60 min!)
NO shortcutting
NO disturbing animals
Use only marked paths
Bring your own cup for liquids

10. Categorization and podiums

Categories (M/F):

U25: 18-24 years
Seniors: 25-39 years
Masters 1: 40-49 years
Masters 2: 50-59 years
Veterans: 60+

Podiums (M/F):

General classification: 1st-3rd place
Categories: 1st place

11. Registrations and start fees

Early registration (first # payments)::

50K: 55 EUR (first 20)
30K: 40 EUR (first 40)
18K: 30 EUR (first 40)

Regular registration (until 08.03.2026):

50K: 65 EUR
30K: 45 EUR
18K: 30 EUR

Late registration (09.03-29.03.2026):

Same prices as regular
WITHOUT race gift

Registrations close on 29.03.2026 at 23:59 or earlier due to reaching the maximum participant quota.

Included in registration fee:

Participation, electronic chip, ITRA/UTMB points
Race gift
Refreshment stations, volunteers, medical assistance
Hot meal at finish, finisher medal
Digital certificate, professional photos
Sponsor gifts, dropbag, parking

Group discounts and free entries:

Team / sports club (10+ runners): 10% discount
Overall podium from 2025: free
Elite runners (750 ITRA men, 600 ITRA women): free

12. Cancellation and refunds

Refunds:

Until 08.03.2026: 100% (minus 5 EUR fee)
09.03-29.03.2026: 50%
After 30.03.2026: No refund

Transfer to another distance:

Allowed until 29.03.2026
To shorter: no refund of difference
To longer: pay difference

Cancellation due to injury:

Until 08.03: 90% with medical report
09.03-29.03.2026: Case by case
After 30.03.2026: No refund

How to cancel registration and request refund:

Send email to vodnomatka@gmail.com with*:

Name and distance
Payment date
Reason
Medical certificate (if applicable)

*Confirmation email is received within 7 days, and refund is processed within 14 days of receiving the request.

13. Race organizer and contacts

Association for promotion and management of projects and events in trail running and other mountain sports TREX

Address: Ibe Palikuќa 17, 1000 Skopje
Bank account: 270069272700140 Halk Bank
Unique Registry Number: 6927270
Tax Identification Number: 4058014518005
E-mail: info@trex.mk
President: Žikica Ivanovski

Race Director: Dejan Krle
vodnomatka@gmail.com
www.vodnomatka.mk

REMEMBER:

Safety is priority #1
Respect nature
Help other runners
Follow the rules
Enjoy the adventure!

The organizer reserves the right to change the rules. Follow updates at www.vodnomatka.mk

HAPPY TRAILS!