Running in one of the most beautiful national parks in Macedonia was an opportunity Fran and I  couldn’t wait to try. So when the organizers at Pelister Unique Trail Marathon invited us to participate, we said yes. Pelister national park sits in the south western corner of Macedonia near the border with Greece and Albania. Its mountains are mostly covered with pine forest, and there are also lakes and rivers throughout the park. We were warmly welcomed by the organizers and the local trail community, and enjoyed a few days  in Bitola, the main town near the park. I opted for the 115km while Fran chose the 23 km as she was still in recovery mode after surgery several months prior. The 115 km race climbs out of the town of Bitola and into the forested hills as it slowly winds its way around the park. Eventually you get to the start of the biggest climb up Baba mountain (2601meters) and steadily climb through forests and alpine meadows until reaching the antenna station at the top. Then there’s a long downhill before the last big climb up to a mountain hut and some lakes before the final descent to the finish line at the  local ski center. This was a community event, and the locals enjoyed it (especially the kids races) and the organizers did a great job making sure everyone could participate and enjoy the trails. Thanks to Nenad and Vijoleta for your hospitality and all your hard work and dedication to create a great event and trail community in this beautiful part of the world.

BITOLA ULTRA 2023
54km 3400 D+ (could be )

This race was held on June 24, 2023.
I was waiting for the summer to pass, to warm up enough to be able to remember and write about the experience at this race . 
My people!
The race starts from Bitola, the sun is scorching, 30 degrees. Our highest point is the peak of Pelister Antena at 2601 m above sea level.
For the first few kilometers, a competitor from Latvia was in front of me. I didn't start too strong because I know what awaits me afterwards (or I don't know
).
After a few kilometers I take the lead and continue at a measured pace because hell is just starting and in such a race anything is possible. After about 25km, the weather changes, it starts to thunder. I reach the control point, I stop to check myself and the city starts moving. Several more competitors arrive behind me. The race continues, the city stops, the rain continues and a couple of us decide to continue because we got wet a few times.
From that moment I ran together with @manevtoni. A strong and long climb through the forest, the rain is pouring down and doesn't think to stop. Wet all the way, but we are moving and everything is ok, we are not giving in. Although, we are crying for a shift . Towards the end of the forest, we meet a group of mountaineers who tell us - it's okay up there, it's going by. We came out of the forest onto a rock and the rain really calmed down a bit. We continue on, we come before the very climb to Pelister. In front of us, stone piled on top of stone, freezing rain is falling, thunder and crackling from all sides, I don't know how strong the wind is blowing. If we stop we will freeze, we have nowhere to hide, we have no dry things, (drop bugs are at the goal).
Already tired, in such conditions...My people!
That's the only time I've ever truly feared for my life. As soon as the lightning strikes, I think that's it - we die, and again, I'm begging God to just make it to the antenna and control point.
We were completely frozen, our hands were numb, they couldn't feel anything. I threw the sticks so they wouldn't attract lightning.
At 300m in front of the Antenna, I just think that's it, God, thank you.
The volunteers immediately covered us, made tea, after us several other competitors arrived and the race stopped. We all shivered together for about an hour, then played music, then danced and waited for them to come pick us up.
Thanks to the volunteers! Thanks to everyone who looked after us up at 2600.
In this case, the organizer stopped the race. Several of us went through hell, some were stopped at the checkpoint long before this one. But every competitor who would stop and decide not to go further if possible, there is a safe place to stop in this case - my people, that does not mean that he has given up running, but he just made the smartest decision at that moment for himself. It doesn't apply here - it ends on the head, just hard! No matter what head, my head could not stop the storm on Pelister, nor anyone else's   
Our goal is not one race, but much more and to last much longer, right. 
Thanks to the organizers for the transportation and safe descent from the mountain, for the order of the race and ITRA points for these legendary 38 km that we covered !
Team

Pelister unique. A wonderful experience. We never feel tired. We thank the organizers. The heroic volunteers who gave us courage and smiles at every step. All the runners who, in addition to sporting values, also present humanitarian moral values.