For the ninth consecutive year, Stranje Elementary School hosted the ceremonial conclusion of Kamnik running cup 2024. The organizers of seven competitions ensured the successful execution of the cup, while KGT Papež organized the closing ceremony. Dušan Papež, who is also the president of the Kamnik Sports Association, welcomed everyone on behalf of the organizers and emphasized: “We, the organizers, have honorably represented the municipality of Kamnik with our excellent events. There were 1,087 runners from Slovenia and abroad, 302 more than last year. We are delighted with the record number of young people, 478 in total, which is 44% of all participants, and this is what we, the organizers, are most happy about. In 2026, Kamnik will host the European Championships in mountain and trail running. The multi-day spectacle will include three races: uphill, trail, and downhill. As a trial run, this year we will hold the Velika planina Run, organized by KGT Papež, which will conclude the World Cup in mountain running. The course will run from Vegrad to Gradišče.
In his speech, the mayor, Matej Slapar, addressed the gathering, expressing his pride in all Kamnik athletes and the race organizers. He also highlighted the 2026 European Mountain Running Championships, when the municipality of Kamnik and Velika planina will host this major sporting event.
The overall scoring was carried out according to the running cup (TPOK) rules. The organizers presented trophies to the top three in each category. These were provided by the Kamnik Institute for Sports and Tourism.
The auto repair shop Papež d.o.o., which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, provided prizes for those who placed 4th and 5th, as well as personalized medal hangers for participants in all races: Tim Zamljen, Nik Mali, Anže Žebaljec Burnik, Žiga Žebaljec Burnik, Mateja Pančur, Rok Pančur, Eva Pustotnik, Ivica Žlogar, Dragica Cvišić, and Aleš Prelovšek. The awards were presented by the company’s director, Dušan Papež. Vouchers for free entry to all Kamnik running cup (TPOK) 2025 races were presented by Franci Kramar from the Kamnik Institute for Sport and Tourism.
Mayor Matej Slapar presented trophies to the excellent race organizers.
Ivan Urh received a trophy for organizing the 28th mountain run to Sv. Primož. On Easter Saturday, each runner was greeted at the finish line with a pirh (Easter egg) and potica (Easter cake). The anthem was also played at the church in honor of the national champions in the children’s categories, of which there were 82 in total.
Lado Kveder and his team at ŠKD Mekinje organized the 34th Mekinje Cross Country Race, which has the longest running tradition in the Kamnik area. The cross-country race attracted the largest number of young runners, 181 in total. The 1st charity run Tečem, da pomagam (I run to help) was also held under the wing of the Kamnik Lions Club, which donated the raised funds to promising young athletes. The Kamnik races doubles, the 2nd trail to Velika planina and the 3rd Royal Ascent to Kamniško sedlo, were organized by TPD Ultra and Nino Cokan. The picturesque Velika planina attracted 92 runners. The Menina and Zvone Kemperl Sports Association organized the 3rd race to Bibo planina. ŠD Šmartno and Matic Hribar once again organized the Miklavžev run, the run with the highest participation in the Kamnik Municipality Running Cup for 2024. 441 runners, including 144 young people. The hospitality and company of St. Nicholas and his helpers certainly contributed to the large turnout and festive atmosphere! The cup was also awarded to the Kamnik Institute for Sports and Tourism and Franci Kramar, the soul and driving force behind Kamnik sports. Frane and Petra Kranjec, administrators of the Prijavim.se portal, took care of registrations, scoring in the final cup standings, photographs, and articles.
Each participant received a flyer with the 2025 running race calendar.
Host Barbara Božič concluded the event by expressing the organizers’ desire to make the Kamnik Cup as well visited as possible. The greatest satisfaction for the organizers is when the race is a success and that both the runners and the organizers are happy.
The event ended with a get-together where participants exchanged their experiences and opinions.
