From Wooden Sticks to a 120K Victory: Aleš Svetina’s Journey Back to the Julian Alps

In 2019, Aleš Svetina arrived at the start of his first trail race with little idea of what awaited him. During the climb to Trupejevo Poldne, he even picked up two wooden sticks in the forest to help him tackle the ascent. Five years later, he returned to those same trails and won the 120K race at I Feel Slovenia Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB. His journey, however, has never been defined by victory alone. It has also included a DNF, a severe ankle injury, a long rehabilitation and a determined decision to return once again in 2026.

We spoke with Aleš about the beginnings of his trail running journey, the lessons found in both success and disappointment, and why this race continues to hold such a special place in his heart.

Your first trail race was the Kranjska Gora Trail Run in 2019, the predecessor of today’s Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB. What do you remember most about that day?

What I remember most is probably how unprepared I was for the challenge ahead of me—as well as the excitement and the incredible sense of achievement I felt when I crossed the finish line.

There is a great story about you picking up wooden sticks during the race to help you on the climbs. What happened?

I was a complete beginner in the world of trail running. I did not even know that runners used hiking or running poles on the climbs. I decided to improvise and found two suitable wooden sticks in the forest to help me climb towards Trupejevo Poldne. That moment also gave us an unforgettable photograph from my first trail race.

Could you have imagined that five years later, you would win the 120K race on those same trails?

It would be difficult to say that I imagined winning a 120-kilometre race a few years later. However, that first experience awakened a strong desire in me to explore and develop my abilities to their fullest potential, as well as a real passion for competition.

What did your victory at the JAT 120K in 2024 mean to you? Did it change the expectations you have of yourself?

Winning the longest race in 2024 was one of the greatest milestones of my competitive career and a major source of motivation for the future. Personally, it was an important external confirmation of my qualities and abilities as a competitive runner.

What attracted you to trail running and made you stay in the sport?

I love trail running in its entirety: the training, the competitions, spending so much time in beautiful natural surroundings, the personal growth, the lifestyle and the constant search for my limits.

Looking back, what was the biggest turning point in your development as a runner?

Today, I would say there were two defining moments. If someone had asked me the same question less than a year ago, I would have said it was my first 100-mile race. But after the serious injury I suffered last year, I must also include the complex ankle fracture as one of the biggest turning points in my journey. It reminded me how quickly everything can come to an end. The rehabilitation and the process of returning to running probably taught me and gave me more than all my previous experiences in sport.

One year after your victory, you recorded a DNF at the JAT 120K. How difficult was it to accept that result?

A DNF always brings some disappointment and bitterness. However, I do not give DNFs too much weight. I see them as opportunities to recognise and learn from my mistakes.

What did that experience teach you that victory never could?

The more weaknesses you uncover, the more opportunities you have to work on them and address them before future challenges. Defeats are the most valuable experiences and the greatest teachers. They place you in front of the clearest possible mirror—if you are brave enough to look honestly into it and into yourself.

Was the decision to register for JAT 2026 difficult?

I decided to register for the JAT 120K in 2026 during the week after suffering a severe and complex ankle fracture at the end of November 2025. Registering was my way of proving that I intended to return even stronger. It became an important source of motivation throughout the long and difficult rehabilitation and recovery process.

What motivates you to keep returning to the same challenge?

It is the constant and relentless desire to continue improving, learning and growing.

Does racing on home trails make the experience even more meaningful?

Home races are always special. But the races with which you share a long and eventful history carry their own particular weight and place in your heart.

After all these years, what does Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB mean to you?

JAT by UTMB gives me the opportunity to compete in the UTMB World Series on home trails and to fight for a place at the UTMB World Series Finals in Chamonix.

What advice would you give someone preparing for their first trail race?

I would advise them to find and gather as much information as possible about the physical, mental and logistical preparation required for their chosen race. They should rely on the knowledge, experience and advice of more experienced runners and perhaps consider working with a coach. They should also create a suitable training plan and a clear strategy for race day.

To sum it up: do not follow the example of my first trail race. As special as that experience was, I would not recommend arriving quite as unprepared as I did. Most importantly, try to enjoy the entire process of training and preparation. :)

From an unprepared beginner carrying wooden sticks to a 120K champion preparing for his return after a serious injury, Aleš’s journey is a reminder that progress is rarely linear. Victories reveal what we are capable of, but setbacks often teach us who we are.

In September 2026, Aleš will stand on the JAT 120K start line once again. This time, the challenge will represent much more than a race. It will be the culmination of a long rehabilitation, a promise he made to himself and another chapter in a story that began on these trails seven years ago. The Julian Alps are waiting—and so is the next opportunity to learn, grow and return stronger.

Photo credits: Martin Fettich, DP Photo, WITISI and Knap Trail.