108
Vilnius Trail Run follows the legendary trail around Vilnius, 'where the city meets the forest', and draws more than a thousand participants. The headline distance is 108 km with 2,300 m of climbing, certified by IAU, ITRA and UTMB, plus 70 km, a 42 km trail marathon, 21, 15 and 4 km, a 22 km walk and a kids' run. The start is early, at 6:00, and the courses wind through forests, hills and river valleys that surprise anyone who thinks Lithuania is flat — even the 21 km climbs nearly 600 m. An international trail community, UTMB points and views of the capital from the forested hills make it a standout trail race. Vilnius means a UNESCO-listed baroque Old Town, Gediminas Tower above the meeting of the Neris and Vilnia, bohemian Užupis and Lithuanian food from cepelinai to cold beetroot soup.
An easy run with a local club the day before the race — the best way to shake out the legs and meet the city.