At the beginning of the 20th century, the Úpské údolí (Aupatal) and Riesenhain winter sports associations were founded in Pec pod Sněžkou. The clubs organised adult ski races and a whole generation of world-famous cross-country skiers, ski jumpers and downhill skiers grew up in Pec. In the second half of the same century, the Vrchlabí Ski Association established the tradition of the May race on the slopes of Studniční hora. The date of the race was deliberately chosen at the beginning of May, when the snow cover on the edge of the Úpa pit was not so massive and did not threaten the competitors. The race was interrupted by the Second World War, the expulsion of the Germans, then the rise of the Communists and the tradition died forever.