Slovakia’s Peter Fraňo is racing the 2025 Transvulcania Ultramarathon, having positioned second within the marathon final yr, and raced the extremely again in 2018 at the beginning of his profession. On this interview, he talks about what he loves about this race and the island, his second-place end ultimately yr’s CCC, and the way his ski-mountaineering season at dwelling in Slovakia works alongside working.
For extra on who’s racing, take a look at our in-depth ladies’s and males’s previews and observe our protection right here on the web site and on Twitter/X over the weekend.
[Editor’s Note: If you are unable to see the video above, click here to access it.]
Peter Fraňo Pre-2025 Transvulcania Ultramarathon Interview Transcript
iRunFar: Sarah Brady of iRunFar. I’m right here earlier than the 2025 Transvulcania with Peter Fraňo. Peter, how are you?
Peter Fraňo: Good. Thanks.
iRunFar: Good. I do know you simply received right here a few hours in the past, so thanks for going straight into this interview. How had been your travels?
Fraňo: Yeah, actually good. Simple. Clean.
iRunFar: Nice. And this isn’t your first time right here, both. You had been right here for the marathon final yr, and also you positioned second in fairly an in depth race. How was that for you?
Fraňo: Yeah, it was actually good. And I did the ultramarathon, however many, a few years in the past, possibly eight or seven, 9 years in the past. It’s been certainly one of my first worldwide path working races. So we’re right here the place all of it started.
iRunFar: Oh, excellent. And does it have a particular place in your coronary heart, if it was certainly one of your earlier races?
Fraňo: Yeah, I actually like this place. And yeah, it was certainly one of my first experiences. So yeah, I’ll at all times keep in mind.
iRunFar: And is it the group or the terrain specifically? What do you like about it?
Fraňo: The terrain may be very particular. You run on the sea degree, then you’re excessive within the mountains. The volcano is de facto good, good. And yeah, after all, the spectator, the volunteer, and everybody, the entire islands stay with this occasion, so it’s very nice.
iRunFar: Yeah, it does appear actually particular. Aside from that marathon final yr, you had a fairly large yr. However one actually stand-out result’s you positioned second at CCC. Congratulations on that.
Fraňo: Thanks.
iRunFar: And I do know you went from seventh just a few years in the past, wasn’t it?
Fraňo: Yeah, I used to be seventh. And yr earlier than, fifth.
iRunFar: Okay. Nonetheless enhancing the entire time. What do you assume modified final yr, that it went so nicely for you?
Fraňo: I don’t know what modified. I simply needed to do it extra instances to achieve success. Not the primary one, however second can also be good. So I don’t know. It was a great day for me.
iRunFar: So no main lows via the day.
Fraňo: Not very massive. Some issues, however it’s a part of the sport.
iRunFar: And the way was your restoration after it then?
Fraňo: The restoration was actually lengthy. I didn’t count on I might be destroyed a lot. After the CCC, I hoped I’ll do some races, however I had no power. Additionally mentally, I didn’t wish to prepare actually exhausting. So I take some instances. Yeah. That is first longer races since CCC.
iRunFar: I noticed you had an enormous yr earlier than that anyway. And also you had been on the European Championships as nicely. I feel you had been seventh there.
Fraňo: Mm hmm.
iRunFar: That was a extremely aggressive race. So how was that?
Fraňo: Yeah, it was additionally good. It was little bit shorter than I want. However yeah, the extent was actually excessive, and I attempted to arrange one of the best I can. And it was additionally certainly one of my higher days.
iRunFar: And also you had a extremely good day with Staff Slovakia then one other time with the ‘23 World Championships the place you made the rostrum. Do you assume you’ll be again representing your nation on the World Champs once more this yr?
Fraňo: That’s the plan.
iRunFar: So that you’ll need to skip CCC possibly this time, will you?
Fraňo: Sure, I’ll skip CCC, and possibly subsequent yr I wish to return to Chamonix. CCC or UTMB, we’ll see.
iRunFar: Have you ever had your 100-mile debut but, or would that be it?
Fraňo: Not but, however I’ll do Western States this yr. So will probably be my first hundred miler. So I’ll see if I survive, and if I prefer it.
iRunFar: Yeah, massive one to start out with. After which I do know you might have a background in ski mountaineering earlier than you grew to become a runner. Is that also one thing you do within the winters?
Fraňo: Yeah, after all. I like skimo. And in Slovakia, often we have now good circumstances. And yeah, I like that motion and to be within the mountains, so it’s excellent mixture for me.
iRunFar: And do you retain working somewhat bit via skimo season as nicely, or do you often transition?
Fraňo: Previous couple of years, I’ll run one or two instances per week, however in winter, most trainings are on skis.
iRunFar: How do you discover it then, within the spring, attempting to get your working legs again? Is it a battle for some time?
Fraňo: Yeah. When the snow melts, I wish to run once more, so it’s good as a result of I once more have motivation to run and have somewhat bit completely different motion, as a result of it’s like, you’re quicker within the uphill. So it’s regular for me.
iRunFar: After which, simply when it comes to the coaching working tradition, do you might have loads of runners round the place you reside to coach with?
Fraňo: Yeah, I feel we have now loads of runners. Normally I prepare alone, however I prefer to be alone. [laughs] However yeah, the group is kind of massive additionally in Slovakia.
iRunFar: After which simply to get again to the course. I do know you’ve been right here earlier than, just a few years in the past. Was there any specific a part of it that you simply sit up for getting again to?
Fraňo: I don’t know. I don’t keep in mind the entire course. [laughs]
iRunFar: Okay.
Fraňo: It is going to be a shock for me on Saturday.
iRunFar: Yeah. Simply wanting ahead to the end.
Fraňo: Yeah, undoubtedly. However I hate the lengthy end line. It’s endless asphalt highway, so will probably be the worst a part of the race for certain.
iRunFar: Oh, actually? The final climb as much as the end?
Fraňo: Not the final climb, however possibly final one or two kilometers. The straight line, and lots of people, and sizzling climate. So.
iRunFar: Yeah. A bit intense. And the way do you benefit from the massive descent then from the excessive level?
Fraňo: We’ll see, however actually, I like downhills. It’s one thing particular, as a result of it’s actually lengthy downhill, so you must maintain your legs contemporary. However usually I prefer it. So we’ll see.
iRunFar: Yeah. It’s completely different.
Fraňo: Yeah.
iRunFar: Properly, I hope you might have an amazing race, and we sit up for seeing you on the market.
Fraňo: Thanks very a lot.
iRunFar: Thanks a lot.