GRÈCE · Central Macedonia (Pieria)
Why the Olympus Ultra Is One of the Most Extreme Races in Europe (78.2m/km, 19% Average Uphill, 9.2% Flat)
Informations clés
Distance
71 km
Date
Droit d’inscription
80 EUR
€ / km
€1.13
Nouvelle date en attente
Cette course a déjà eu lieu. La date de la prochaine édition est en attente.
Home of the gods: steep, rocky climbs on Mount Olympus with real altitude and mythic scenery.
Olympus Ultra 71 km is a high-alpine trail race held on June 27, 2026, starting at midnight from the Archaeological Park of Dion and finishing in Litochoro at the foot of Mount Olympus, Greece. The course covers 71 km with 5,550 m of gain (78.2 m/km) — more elevation per kilometre than UTMB Mont-Blanc (57 m/km) or Mestia Ultra (61.8 m/km) — reaching Skolio peak at 2,910m. Only 9.2% of the course is flat; the distance-weighted average uphill gradient is 19.23%, with 13.17 km above 20% gradient. Entry costs €80 (~€1.13/km) — exceptional value for a Skyrunner World Series race. Thessaloniki (SKG) is approximately 83 minutes by road. Running since 2018 with field growth from 62 finishers (2023) to 209 (2025). Qualification required: foreigners must have completed at least one 80km+ race in the last three years. It suits experienced mountain ultra runners prepared for near-constant scrambling terrain, a midnight start, and a temperature swing of 15–20°C between valley and summit.
Élévation et Terrain
Mètres totaux
5,550m
D+/KM
78.2m/km
Pour référence, le Tor des Géants 330 km a 73 D+/km.
Pente montante moyenne
19.2%
Pente descendante moyenne
-20.4%
Distribution du gradient de montée
| 2–5% | 4.4 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 6.5 km | |
| 10–15% | 5.4 km | |
| 15–20% | 4.4 km | |
| 20%+ | 13.2 km |
Profil de parcours
AnalysedDétail du terrain
| 47.7% | Montée |
|---|---|
| 9.2% | Plat |
| 43.1% | Descente |
Terrain
Ascensions
Principales montées
| Rank | Length | Elevation gain | Start km | Average gradient | Max gradient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9.2 km · 1612 m gain starts km 41 · avg 17.6% · max 62.5% | ||||
| 2 | 8.2 km · 1383 m gain starts km 8 · avg 17% · max 71.8% | ||||
| 3 | 5.4 km · 896 m gain starts km 27 · avg 16.7% · max 91.1% |
Principales descentes
| Rank | Length | Elevation drop | Start km | Average gradient | Max gradient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9.3 km · 1903 m drop starts km 50 · avg -20.5% · max -140.4% | ||||
| 2 | 6.1 km · 908 m drop starts km 16 · avg -14.9% · max -79.5% | ||||
| 3 | 4.6 km · 672 m drop starts km 67 · avg -15% · max -71.9% |
Why the Olympus Ultra Is One of the Most Extreme Races in Europe (78.2m/km, 19% Average Uphill, 9.2% Flat)
Course Profile — Midnight Start, Scrambling to 2,910m, and a 1,903m Descent Through Enipeas Canyon▼
Q: Is the Olympus Ultra a Skyrunner race? A: Yes. The Olympus Ultra is part of the Skyrunner World Series. It is also listed on the UTMB Index (Running Stones points) but is not a UTMB series qualifier race.
Skyrunner World Series at €80: The Olympus Ultra Value Breakdown▼
Q: How much does it cost to enter the Olympus Ultra 71km? A: €80 standard entry — €1.13/km — exceptional value for a Skyrunner World Series race. The late registration window (€90) closed May 31, 2026. Check the official site for current 2026 availability.
Getting There: Thessaloniki, Litochoro, and the Ancient City of Dion▼
Q: When does the 2026 Olympus Ultra 71km take place? A: June 27, 2026, starting at 00:00 midnight from the Archaeological Park of Dion. The race finishes in Litochoro. Transport from Litochoro to the start in Dion is provided by the race organisation.
Who Can Run the Olympus Ultra 71km? (Qualification, Growth, and What to Expect)▼
Q: Which airport should I use for the Olympus Ultra? A: Thessaloniki (SKG) — approximately 83 minutes by road to the Litochoro/Dion area. Train and bus connections to Litochoro are possible with a short taxi for the last mile. Accommodation is strong in Litochoro; Thessaloniki also works as a base.
Fichiers de course
Logistique
Aéroport le plus proche
Thessaloniki (SKG)
Notes
Start: ~1.0–1.5 hrs to Litochoro/Dion area (TODO: verify exact 2026 start) / Public transport: train/bus to Litochoro + taxi; doable without car / Accommodation: strong in Litochoro; Thessaloniki also works; book early (summer)
