Mountain Running
Brand new Red Bull 400 champions strike record golds in the High Tatras
Following the record-breaking season-opener in Poland, fastest-ever race times were recorded in Slovakia as the iconic destination, Štrbské Pleso, hosted a Red Bull 400 leg for the third year running.
An area of outstanding beauty located in the High Tatras, Slovakia, Štrbské Pleso has scenery to attract tourists all year round, from beautiful lakes and fresh mountain air in the summer, to ski slopes and saunas in the winter. However, this weekend, it was Red Bull 400 that drew in 950 athletes to compete for their chance of being crowned the winner of this notorious race.
Beautiful weather greeted the participants, piling on the pressure to perform in these race-perfect conditions.
Action from Štrbské Pleso, Slovakia
© Filip Nagy / Red Bull Content Pool
It's the toughest 400m on the planet, drawing in some of the strongest athletes from around the globe to compete against one another. Triathlete and Ironwoman Kristina Néč Lapinová is one of the most notable participants in this event. Having set the Red Bull 400 record for Štrbské Pleso back in 2018 with her winning time of 4m 38.5s, she was definitely the one to watch in the women’s race.
Kristína Néč-Lapinová
© Filip Nagy / Red Bull Content Pool
Sure enough, as the blast sounded, signalling the start of the race, her kick-off was strong and she looked set to smash her previous record, launching herself up the 125m ski jump.
However, Slovakian athlete, Eszter Hortobágyiová, who regularly competes in cross country events, began giving Néč some serious competition.
Having finished in second place behind Néč in 2018, she now looked ready to settle the score and sure enough, as the two women raced up the jump, Hortobágyiová managed to widen the gap considerably until she blitzed past the line in an incredible 4m 14.1s. Not only setting a new record for Štrbské Pleso, but alo leaving Néč behind to battle it out for second place.
"I really enjoyed the race," Hortobágyiová said. "I like these unique challenges. I prefer mountain running more to flat trails.”
Red Bull 400 at Štrbské Pleso, Slovakia
© Lukas Wagneter / Red Bull Content Pool
Behind the winner it was a true battle between Néč and Bronislava Chrappa, but Néč narrowly edged out Chrappa into third place as she crossed the line in 4m 24.9s. Chrappa came in just five seconds later in 4m 29.4s, completing the all-Slovakian podium.
Incomparable to any other race, Red Bull 400 is an exceptional challenge, demanding the competitors give everything they have as they sprint up the steep incline. It takes strength, focus and above all, some serious determination. Yet it remains a favourite competition for many athletes – an absolute one-of-a-kind. Many of the athletes compete in multiple events over the year and return year-on-year to defend their titles.
Jozef Hlavčo
© Filip Nagy / Red Bull Content Pool
The men’s event saw many of these same athletes make an appearance, including 2019 record holder for Štrbské Pleso, Tomáš Macecek. Having competed in this race for the last two years, the Czech athlete knew what he was up against and was prepared to fight in order to defend his title.
Jakub Šiarnik
© Filip Nagy / Red Bull Content Pool
Jakub Šiarnik is also a huge name in Red Bull 400 circles, the cross-country athlete frequently finishing in the top-three of any race he enters, including the Zakopane event held just last week. But the incredible thing about Red Bull 400 is that nothing is a given and this year, first place was snatched by Jozef Hlavčo on his debut run.
The Slovakian athlete is a ski mountaineer and has been a member of the SSA national squad since 2017. Hlavčo stormed past the finish line in 3m 15.3s, absolutely slamming the existing record and leaving the competition far behind.
“My first Red Bull 400 was a big challenge and I had huge expectations," Hlavčo said. "I chose the right tactics and saved enough energy for the finals. And it was a good decision to make. I went full speed in the last 30 seconds and I won.”
100m to go
© Tomas Bukoven/Red Bull Content Pool
Šiarnik and Macecek were left reeling in Hlavčo’s wake as they competed for podium spots. Šiarnik managed to steal second place, finishing in 3m 26.2s, with Macecek hot on his tail, completing the podium with a time of 3m 31.1s.
Jana Dukatova and Jakub Grigar
© Tomas Bukoven/Red Bull Content Pool
Catch up with Red Bull 400 again next week, Saturday, August 29 as it touches down in Lahti, Finland for the third edition at the 130m ski jump at the Salpausselkä Skistadion.
Almost at the top
© Tomas Bukoven/Red Bull Content Pool
Red Bull 400 Štrbské Pleso women's results
Place
Name
Time
1.
Eszter Hortobágyiová
4m 14.1s
2.
Kristina Néč Lapinová
4m 24.9s
3.
Bronislava Chrappa
4m 29.4s
Red Bull 400 Štrbské Pleso men's results
Place
Name
Time
1.
Jozef Hlavčo
3m 15.3s
2.
Jakub Šiarnik
3m 26.2s
3.
Tomáš Macecek
3m 31.1s