Let's start our run on the Ljubljana's central meeting point: the Triple Bridge. Here we can see the statue of our most famous poet, France Prešeren with his muse upon him, take a quick look on the open market square behind him on the other side, which we might consider visiting after our run and then turn right and start our journey in the search of our muses along our way.

Let's run along the Ljubljanica riverside, both sides are mostly traffic free, so running friendly and very charming. We will pass five bridges: the footbridge Ribja brv and then the Cobblers, Šentjakobski, Hradeckega and Opekarski bridge. On the last one, let's choose the right side of the river, that will lead us to the point, where Ljubljanica splits into two. We are on the 1,5 km. The cape is called Špica and here, if we are in need, we can use the free public toliet, that is just under the foot bridge we won't take, before leaving the city and heading into the woods.

Let's continue along the other river, along the wooden construction where the ship berths are. We will pass the Croatian embassy, under go a newest bridge and cross the old Karlovški bridge. Then we will turn left, run 150 meters along the road and then turn right: steep up the cubes floor way in the direction to the Golovec hill. We will pass some private houses on both sides and then quickly enter the woods. There we will just follow the macadam path, which is interestingly marked. On every kilometer we will encounter a sign, that was build in the memory of the barbed wire, a wire fence, that between the Second World War went all around Ljubljana. Italian and later the German occupiers used it to control the Ljubljana's citizens and enable them to come in contact with the Partizan movement.

This path is of a special importance for Slovenians: every year in May, this year already for the 63rd time, around 30.000 people will walk and run on it. This traditional event is organized by the Municipality of Ljubljana and is called The march and run along the barbed wire and will be held from 9th to 11th May 2019. The circle goes on for 33 kilometers and offers a great opportunity to meet Ljubljana from the hiking perspective. But the event offers something for runners, too: a unique running event, a three-member team run, that can compete on a 12.5 or 29 km long route. Men, women or mixed team must run together all the time and their result is signed when the last competitor crosses the finish line. It is a special occasion that between runners promotes solidarity. Faster runners can help and motivate less prepared members like Partizans once did.

On the 1st and 3rd kilometer from Špica, we can have some water from a public pipe and on the 3rd kilometer from Špica we can even do some additional exercizises on the gymnastics tools. 

On the 4th kilometer from Špica we will reach the top of the Golovec. On the 6th kilometer the path will start to descend. When we will come out of the wood, we will run into a tree-lined lane. Than we will cross the street and continue straight on until crossing the Fužinski most bridge and encounter a castle: the Renaissance Fužinski grad. It hosts the Museum of Architecture and Design, with its many events, especially exhibitions on architecture, design, and photography. Now we will turn our way to the Ljubljana center: we will continue along the riverside again. We will take the second bridge, pass it and that run for 2 kilometers along it. At the 13th kilometer, we will pass another bridge, cross the street and then continue along the river again. Before stepping into the city center, our path will bring us along the river barriers, designed by the most famous Slovene architect, Jože Plečnik, which is also the author of the open market place and the Threple Bridges, where on our 16th kilometer our run finishes.

Let's discover new running paths, alone or together - solidarily.

 

Jasmina Kozina Praprotnik is an anthropologist, a writer and a running trainer. With her housband leads the Slovenian largest recreational society called Urban Runners. She is the author of a biografical novel about a runner: The long running life of Helena Zigon. More: www.urbanrunning.org