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Gauja 53K is a 53.0 km trail race of Gauja Trail by UTMB 2026 in Ratnieki, Latvia. The race starts on August 2, 2026 at 05:30 AM. It starts in Ratnieki and finishes in Cēsis, Rozu laukums.
The course climbs 1200 m+. With 23 m/km of climbing, the course is predominantly runnable. By gradient, 23% of the distance is uphill, 19% downhill and 58% flat. The longest climb runs 1.4 km at an average 3.5% grade (49 m of vertical). The longest descent runs 1.2 km at 4.1% (50 m of vertical). The steepest climb averages 17.0% over 0.3 km. The steepest descent drops at 14.1% over 0.4 km. Surface: 57% trail, 27% smooth, and 12% road. Flat-equivalent effort: 60.0 FlatKM.
The course is runnable enough that trekking poles are not needed.
Quad damage risk is low (index 9 of 100): a few descents worth noticing, none that decides the result.
Historically on race day, start temperatures range from 11°C to 18°C, around 16°C at the highest point; the chance of precipitation is about 46%. Heavy rain of 10.0 mm or more falls on about 6% of days around this date.
786 finishers completed the 2026 edition. Men's winner: Miguel Benitez (Spain) in 3:40:58. Women's winner: Dominika Stelmach (Poland) in 4:38:56.
This page has the full results and splits, interactive elevation profile, gradient matrix, pacing and nutrition planner and weather climatology for Gauja 53K.
Other distances of Gauja Trail by UTMB 2026Gauja 91K (91.0 km)
Official websitegauja.utmb.world
