What is XElements
About
X Elements is a race series born from the heart of Montenegro’s wild landscapes and from the spirit of the Wild Collective—a community of outdoor lovers, adventurers, and athletes from across the country. Though we come from different disciplines—trail running, paragliding, mountain biking, kayaking—we are united by one thing: a shared passion for nature and raw adventure.
Our mission is to create a series of unique, multidisciplinary races that connect people to the land through challenge, teamwork, and discovery. These are not just races. They are experiences designed to celebrate the wild beauty of Montenegro—from mountain peaks to river canyons, glacial lakes (Mountains eyes) to ancient trails.
Beasts of Durmitor
Durmitor National Park
Beasts of Durmitor is the first race in the X Elements series, set in Durmitor National Park, Montenegro’s oldest and most iconic protected area. This is where the adventure begins.
Teams of five will face a high-adrenaline, multi-sport challenge that includes swimming, mountain running, paragliding, mountain biking, and kayaking—all united into a single, continuous course through some of the most rugged and spectacular terrain in the Balkans.
This race isn’t about solo glory. It’s about teamwork, trust, and the will to endure. The course will push your limits, but reward you with moments to remember—standing on a summit, flying over alpine lakes, racing through forests, or paddling wild rivers.
Beasts of Durmitor is more than a competition. It’s an invitation to become part of something bigger—part of a movement to explore Montenegro differently, and to protect what makes it wild.
Water element
Swimming
The race kicks off with a cold water swim across Black Lake, a glacial lake nestled beneath Durmitor’s dramatic peaks. At 1,400 meters above sea level, the altitude and temperature add to the challenge. Swimmers will complete a 1.9 km open water circuit before handing off to the mountain runner.
This stage demands endurance, cold tolerance, and calm navigation through pristine, crystal clear water surrounded by pine forest and towering cliffs.
Distance: 1.9 km
Start Point: Black Lake (Crno Jezero), Durmitor National Park
Finish: Transition zone on the lake shore
Earth element
Trail Running
From the shore of Black Lake, the second athlete takes on a forested and alpine trail that climbs steadily toward one of Durmitor’s most striking peaks. The route passes through dense pine forest, across open mountain meadows like Mioč Poljana, before reaching the Savin Kuk ski area and beginning the steep ascent to the summit.
This stage demands a mix of speed, stamina, and mountain awareness, with challenging elevation gain and exposed high altitude terrain near the summit. The runner finishes at the top of Savin Kuk (2,313 m), where the paragliding teammate is waiting.
Start Point: Black Lake shore
Route: Točak → Mioč Poljana → Savin Kuk ski resort → Summit of Savin Kuk
Finish: Paragliding take off zone at Savin Kuk peak
Air element
Paragliding
The third athlete takes off from Savin Kuk, launching into open sky from one of Durmitor’s most iconic peaks. This stage is a cross country paragliding task, with each pilot required to navigate through two airborne checkpoints before reaching the designated landing zone at Vražje Lake.
Exact route and checkpoint coordinates will be confirmed at the pre race briefing, based on weather and safety conditions.
This stage is not just about flying—it’s about reading the wind, navigating thermals, and executing precise control under pressure.
Launch Point: Summit of Savin Kuk (2,313 m)
Flight Task: Cross 2 designated checkpoints
Landing Zone: Shore of Vražje Lake
Earth element
Mountain Biking
The mountain bike stage begins at Vražje Lake, cutting across highland trails and rural backroads before entering the upper edge of the Tara Canyon, the deepest canyon in Europe. Riders pass through Njegovuđa village and descend gradually through forested terrain toward Šljivansko, navigating a mix of open trail and rugged woodland paths.
This stage involves flowing sections and sustained pedaling, with moderate elevation drop leading into the Tara basin. The route finishes at the put in zone on the Tara River near Šljivansko, where the kayaking leg begins.
This stage tests the rider’s endurance, terrain awareness, and pacing across varied surfaces and remote terrain.
Start Point: Vražje Lake
Route: Njegovuđa → Tara Canyon → Šljivansko
Finish: Put in zone on the Tara River near Šljivansko
Water element
Kayak
The final athlete takes to the legendary Tara River, launching near Šljivansko for a 12 km paddle through one of Montenegro’s most iconic natural corridors. The route passes beneath the towering Đurđevića Tara Bridge and flows alongside the confluence with the Ljutica River.
The upper section features lively rapids, offering technical excitement and fast moving water, followed by calmer, scenic stretches deep in the canyon. The race ends at Žugića Luka, where all five teammates reunite at the finish line—a symbolic return from the elements back to solid ground.
Start Point: Tara River near Šljivansko
Finish: Žugića Luka (12 km downstream)
