DAY 1

We are slowly coming to the end of the first day, which is always hectic for all parties. But with the arrival of the first night, things are slowly starting to calm down and pick up a reasonable pace. Well, okay, you'll be sleeping on the second night, because as Ivana Bohoňková says: „You don't sleep on the first and last night.“ And by the way, we have a new term. When I asked, „What are your plans for tonight?“ the answer was, „I'm going to see Ivana.“ Which, for the uninitiated, means she's going non-stop.

So let's recap, because I'm not currently a sharp pencil in a pencil case. At the start there were 25 beautiful souls of all different natures, focuses, beauties and all sorts of things. Even at the talk we had a good feeling that a good bunch of people had gathered, and so far all indications are that this is the case. We are very happy about that - one big family again.

It was not the first start for more than half of the starting field and some of them did not miss the start line even once. It's addictive, I know. This year's conditions are absolutely ideal and the skiers never once had to take their skis off. And Lad's winter fairy tale has accompanied them every step of the way so far. Even the walkers have survived the Jizera Mountains under the coat of the Jizera 50 without much harm. All the walkers were as considerate as possible, and therefore there were only two major verbal assaults, which we consider a success.

Gustav Subklew from Germany set an exemplary pace in the skiers' category. A very humble and great person. He never stops for nothing and seems to go through the night. Still ahead of him, a strange moving tracker can be seen. This is Honza Kopka, who decided to dust off our idea from the first year, when the biker category was announced. So we'll see - it doesn't look too appealing yet. Last year's winner of the 150 km route, Honza Gotwald, is also doing well and he is planning to go to Ivana. Martin and Vitek, aka Polička's Golden Boat, also went to the ridges of the Giant Mountains at night. This time they are supposed to reach the finish line, so keep your fingers crossed for them. Tomas Kadlas is on their heels. He won the 150 km category last year. Now, like Honza, he's going 300 km - and on skis.

Gavan Hannigan is an experienced fighter and he is taking 150 km as a warm-up before the Iditarod in Alaska. He's flying to Alaska in a week. You can see he's in shape, but he was surprised we have hills. And finally, the girls: Daniela Vilma Havránková hesitated to stay in Spindleruv Mlyn and finally set off into a slightly foggy night, with light snow and moonlight. The ridges are gracious, it's not windy - and that's a damn important factor here in Krakonoš. No halusky yet, but it will come, don't worry. And as the last one, Tomáš Brabec set out for the second ascent to the ridges.

Radka Prošková showed a beautiful performance when she surpassed her previous performance and arrived in Spindleruv Mlyn in visual comfort. Here she took a thorough rest. Jirka Nedas is also just gaining strength to go further in the early hours, or perhaps even at night. Lenka Fryčová and Petr Horsák, who arrived as walkers a little behind Gavan, also showed a high pace. But they are smart and know that rest makes perfect, so they take a nap here. Martin Šilhán broke his back during the climb on the pebbles and the subsequent fall, so he treats it lying down and drinking beer. That might do the trick. Lenka Látová had the same fall and arrived at the CP with a big smile and a scratched slide. And Šimon Brázda has just arrived - calmly and in my opinion fine. He wanted to bivouac by the dam before the start, but thanks to Lence Zemínová he didn't have to, so he had a bit more energy.

Kuba Zamazal, Hobbits (Robert and Jirka) and Tomas Martin were reasonable in Harrachov. Tomáš went on, but a few kilometers above Harrachov he turned around because the pain in his knee was worse than it was right. So maybe rest will help him - or it will be the other way around. Robert and Jirka know their limits and their trip to Harrachov is a significant progress. And Kuba is going all the way to Havířov, so there is no point in rushing right at the beginning.

Well, as of 11:30 p.m., we are waiting for the next brave ones. Lenka Sobotková and Tomáš Lovas on foot, and Petr Synáček, Bat and Michal Polák on skis. We don't know how they feel yet, so we'll give them space tomorrow.

Howgh