Gorgany Race 2017

  My friend Dima and I participated in the Gorgany Race 2017, an adventure orientation race, in the Trek class. It was an exhilarating challenge that tested our endurance, navigation skills, and teamwork. We had to cover a distance of 105 kilometers and locate 20 checkpoints scattered across the rugged terrain of the Gorgany mountain range and successfully won this race...

   Campsite of participants...

  Receiving map with checkpoints 30 minutes before start...

Group photo on the start...

 The race started early in the morning with a mix of excitement and nerves. Equipped with a map, compass and GPS, we set off at a brisk pace, determined to maintain our energy and focus throughout the grueling course. The first few checkpoints were relatively easy to find, and we quickly settled into a rhythm, alternating between running and power hiking depending on the terrain...

 The Gorgany mountains are known for their challenging landscapes, with steep ascents, rocky paths, and dense forests. Each checkpoint presented its own set of obstacles, from navigating through thick underbrush to scrambling up rocky slopes...

 Dima focused primarily on navigation with map and compass, while my role was to ensure we maintained proper nutrition throughout the race, choose proper pace, and time to time helped Dima with orientation by checking our location with GPS...

  The course included couple technical stages, such as crossing a river by sliding on a rope and descending from a rock with a rope...

  Throughout the race, Dima and I communicated constantly, discussing the best routes and encouraging each other when fatigue set in. We made sure to stay hydrated and fueled, taking short breaks to eat energy bars and drink water. The camaraderie and mutual support were crucial in keeping our spirits high, especially during the more difficult stretches of the course...

  As we approached the final few checkpoints, the physical and mental toll of the race became more pronounced. However, the thought of completing the race and the sense of accomplishment that awaited us pushed us forward. With each checkpoint found, our confidence grew, and we pushed harder, determined to finish strong...

  The last stretch of the race was the most challenging, with a steep climb followed by a treacherous descent. Our legs were heavy, and our pace had slowed, but the sight of the final checkpoint reinvigorated us. We reached it with a mix of exhaustion and elation, knowing that we had successfully found all 20 checkpoints...

  Crossing the finish line was a moment of triumph. We had covered 105 kilometers of tough terrain for 24 hours, with total elevation gain of 5000 meters and achieved our goal of finding all the checkpoints. The sense of accomplishment and the shared experience of overcoming such a demanding race brought Dima and me even closer as friends and teammates...

  We finished just 2 minutes faster than the second-place team, making the victory even more thrilling. The third-place team arrived almost 4 hours after us, highlighting the difficulty of the race. There were 72 teams, each with at least two participants, competing in the Trek distance. The Gorgany Race is considered one of the hardest races in Ukraine...

  Winning the Gorgany Race 2017 in the Trek class was an unforgettable experience, a testament to our preparation, resilience, and teamwork. It was a true adventure that tested our limits and rewarded us with a deep sense of pride, satisfaction and some money...