Trail Running in Latvia

Scroll through the UTMB World Series calendar for 2026 — the world’s most prestigious trail running circuit — and, among legendary names like Chamonix and Western States 100, you’ll spot two unexpected ones: Latvia and Gauja.

It’s an extraordinary moment for both Latvian sports and tourism. A small Baltic nation, best known for its pristine forests and rich culture, now finds itself on the map alongside the giants of the trail running world. This achievement didn’t happen overnight, however. It’s the result of more than a decade of ambition, passion for running, and deep, collective love for nature.

Land and character made for trail running

With 53% of Latvia’s territory covered by forests and more than 1,000 kilometres of forest trails, it’s no surprise that this land is made for trail running. While the number of Latvians living in the countryside has decreased over the past two decades, the connection to nature remains strong. Running in the woods, along rivers, or across meadows and hills still feels simple and natural here. Perhaps that’s why orienteering, an older cousin of trail running, has such deep roots in Latvia’s history.

Trail running competitions haven’t been around for long, however. The first race, now known as Sigulda Mountain Marathon (Siguldas kalnu maratons), was organized back in 2004 when the idea of running long distances through forests seemed eccentric — something that a small circle of “running hippies” would do. It gathered just a handful of enthusiasts but planted the seed for the trail running culture that would later spread across the country.

It was throughout the 2010s that trail running began to truly take off in Latvia as new events appeared in different regions — from Cēsis to Liepāja, from Alūksne to Rēzekne. Each location offered its own mix of challenge and scenery, which has helped trail running gain far more momentum than traditional road or track races.

Anete Švilpe, one of Latvia’s leading trail runners and coaches, explains this phenomenon: “Trail running allows you to explore new places. This is not the case with road races, where the routes are usually the same year after year. People are also drawn to the greater challenge — completing distances of varying difficulty gives a deep sense of satisfaction for what has been accomplished.”

Trail running indeed seems to reflect qualities deeply woven into the Latvian character – resilience, humility, and love and respect for nature. Perhaps that’s why this sport feels so natural here: it speaks the same language as the land and the people who have always drawn strength from it.

Stirnu buks: The driving force of Latvian trail running

Talk to any Latvian about trail running, and it’s impossible not to mention “Stirnu buks” (“Roe Buck”). What began as a single event near Tukums in 2014 has, over the past decade, grown into the country’s largest trail running series. During the 2025 season, it brought together almost nine thousand runners across six races in different regions of Latvia, on average — roughly seven times more unique participants than in its inaugural event.

The secret to Stirnu buks’ success lies in its concept. The vast majority of participants aren’t elite athletes, many are beginners, which makes it an open and welcoming field. Runners can test their strength and speed in the “Kalnu karalis” segment — a timed uphill stretch that awards points based on performance. The series also welcomes schools and families, with dedicated races for pupils and children. In recent years, the organisers have even introduced hiking, opening the trails to an entirely new group of participants. For many, it’s less about competition and more about spending weekends outdoors.

It was largely thanks to Stirnu buks that Latvia became the frontrunner of trail running in the Baltic region. Today, it stands as the most extensive trail running series in Northern Europe, drawing many Lithuanian and Estonian runners across the border to participate.

The same dedicated team behind Stirnu buks was also instrumental in bringing the UTMB World Series to Latvia. On August 1–2, 2026, all roads will lead to Gauja. “This event will certainly boost the development of trail running in Latvia. I already see interest from runners who want to prepare for this particular competition. Additionally, it will greatly benefit regional tourism and the economy,” says Anete.

Trail running nation on the rise

A breakthrough moment for Latvian trail running came years before the UTMB announcement.  In 2018, Andris Ronimoiss became the first Latvian to win a race on the Ultra-Trail World Tour — the Madeira Island Ultra-Trail (MIUT) — and later that year finished 11th at the Trail World Championships. These results inspired many and showed that Latvians could compete with the world’s best.

Andris’ influence goes beyond his personal victories, however. He is also the founder of the running club Supervaroņi (“Superheroes”), where he coaches the next generation of top-level trail runners alongside Anete Švilpe. As the pace of everyday life continues to grow, more people are turning to trail running. The sport offers an escape from daily troubles and a social aspect that even introverted Latvians can tolerate. And you don’t even have to leave cities like Riga to do it — there are running paths in Mežaparks, Biķernieku mežs, and Šmerlis.

The story of Latvian trail running is only just beginning.