HONGRIE · Zala County
VUT Vadlán Ultra Terep 87km: Hungary's Technical Forest Ultra in the Keszthely Hills, Measured
Distance
87 km
Date
Droit d’inscription
25,000 HUF
€ / km
€0.75
Hungarian hardpack grinder: runnable trails, steady climbs, and a low-key endurance vibe.
VUT Vadlán Ultra Terep 87 km is a forest trail race held on October 3, 2026 in Zala County, Hungary, in the Keszthely Hills near Lake Balaton. Starting at 06:00 from Cserszegtomaj, the 87 km covers 2,750 m of gain (31.61 m/km) through 90% forest, gravel, and dirt trail — marginally more vert-dense per kilometre than the 108 km flagship distance. The course is downhill-weighted: 33.7% of the distance climbs, 36.8% descends, and the average downhill gradient of −9.17% ranks 104th steepest of ~390 distances in the DTR database. The terrain delivers its most extreme moments early and mid-race: a 50.61% maximum gradient on the third climb at km 23.64, and a −45.27% maximum pitch on the first major descent at km 41.79. Entry costs €0.75/km (25,000 HUF early — the same fee charged for the 108 km distance). Budapest (BUD) is approximately 137 minutes by road. Part of the IAU Trail Label-certified VUT event since 2017, the 87 km is not independently ITRA or UTMB certified. It suits experienced trail runners who want a technically demanding Hungarian forest ultra with steep descents and rolling terrain — without the ITRA or UTMB qualifier attached.
Élévation et Terrain
Mètres totaux
2,750m
D+/KM
31.6m/km
Pour référence, le Tor des Géants 330 km a 73 D+/km.
Pente montante moyenne
9.6%
Pente descendante moyenne
-9.2%
Distribution du gradient de montée
| 2–5% | 7.4 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 11.3 km | |
| 10–15% | 5.9 km | |
| 15–20% | 2.6 km | |
| 20%+ | 2.1 km |
Profil de parcours
AnalysedDétail du terrain
| 33.7% | Montée |
|---|---|
| 29.5% | Plat |
| 36.8% | Descente |
Terrain
Ascensions
Principales montées
| 1 | 5.6 km · 247 m gain starts km 61 · avg 4.4% · max 36.5% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 1.6 km · 206 m gain starts km 48 · avg 13% · max 34.6% |
| 3 | 4.3 km · 194 m gain starts km 24 · avg 4.5% · max 50.6% |
Principales descentes
| 1 | 4.3 km · 285 m drop starts km 42 · avg -6.6% · max -45.3% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 7.1 km · 192 m drop starts km 69 · avg -2.7% · max -31.5% |
| 3 | 3.4 km · 192 m drop starts km 50 · avg -6% · max -28.6% |
VUT Vadlán Ultra Terep 87km: Hungary's Technical Forest Ultra in the Keszthely Hills, Measured
Why the VUT 87km Is More Technically Demanding Than Its Gradient Numbers Suggest▼
Q: How hard is the VUT Vadlán Ultra Terep 87km? A: Technically demanding, particularly on descents. The average downhill gradient of −9.17% ranks steeper than ~73% of European ultras in the DTR database. Climb 3 at km 23.64 hits a 50.61% maximum gradient — hands-and-feet terrain in the first third of the race — and Descent 1 at km 41.79 reaches −45.27%. Dark forest soil after October rain makes both moments significantly harder.
Course Profile — Downhill-Dominant, a 50% Gradient Surprise, and the Steepest Mid-Race Drop▼
Q: Is the VUT 87km a UTMB or ITRA qualifier? A: No. The 87km is not independently ITRA certified or UTMB Index listed. The VUT event holds an IAU Trail Label (2025 edition). The 108km is the only VUT distance with ITRA certification. Runners targeting qualification points should enter the 108km instead.
€0.75/km for the Same Price as 108km — What VUT's Unusual Pricing Means for Runners▼
Q: How much does the VUT 87km cost to enter? A: 25,000 HUF (~€58) until June 30, 2026 — approximately €0.75/km. Unusually, this is the same early-window price as the 108km distance. Entry rises to 30,000 HUF (~€69) from July 1, 2026.
Getting to Cserszegtomaj: Budapest, Lake Balaton, and Racing Off the Tourist Map▼
Q: When does the 2026 VUT 87km take place? A: October 3, 2026, with a 06:00 start from Kultúrhaus, Cserszegtomaj, Zala County, Hungary. The pre-dawn start means the first hour runs in darkness — a headlamp is required.
Fichiers de course
Logistique
Aéroport le plus proche
Budapest (BUD)
Notes
Start: ~1–1.75 hrs to Vértes/Bakony region venues (Csákvár/Oroszlány area; TODO: verify) / Public transport: trains/buses possible but last-mile often needs taxi; car easiest / Accommodation: limited near start; Budapest base possible
