GÉORGIE · Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti
Mestia Ultra 100K: The Caucasus Race That Opens with a 1,906m Climb, Measured
Informations clés
Distance
102 km
Date
Droit d’inscription
375 GEL
€ / km
€1.17
Nouvelle date en attente
Cette course a déjà eu lieu. La date de la prochaine édition est en attente.
Caucasus spectacle: high alpine valleys, glaciated peaks, and a remote mountain base in Mestia.
Mestia Ultra 100K is a high-alpine trail race held on July 18, 2026, starting and finishing in Mestia, Svaneti, Georgia, the ancient mountain stronghold of the Svan people, surrounded by glaciated Caucasus peaks above 5,000m. The race covers approximately 102 km with 6,319 m of gain (61.8 m/km), making it one of the most elevation-dense courses in the DTR database. The opening 9.87 km climbs 1,906 m at a 19.31% average gradient, reaching approximately 3,400m at Koruldi Lakes before km 10. Entry costs approximately €1.17/km (GEL 375 standard). Kutaisi (KUT) is the nearest airport at approximately 4–5.5 hours by road — this race requires genuine expedition planning. A UTMB 100M qualifier earning 5 ITRA points with a 30-hour cutoff. The 2025 edition sold out. It suits experienced high-alpine ultra runners prepared for remote mountain conditions and a race that opens with one of the biggest single climbs in European trail running.
Élévation et Terrain
Mètres totaux
6,319m
D+/KM
61.8m/km
Pour référence, le Tor des Géants 330 km a 73 D+/km.
Pente montante moyenne
14.8%
Pente descendante moyenne
-15%
Distribution du gradient de montée
| 2–5% | 5.8 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 11.4 km | |
| 10–15% | 9.5 km | |
| 15–20% | 6.4 km | |
| 20%+ | 8.3 km |
Profil de parcours
AnalysedDétail du terrain
| 40.4% | Montée |
|---|---|
| 19.7% | Plat |
| 39.9% | Descente |
Terrain
Ascensions
Principales montées
| Rank | Length | Elevation gain | Start km | Average gradient | Max gradient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9.9 km · 1906 m gain starts km 1 · avg 19.3% · max 69.2% | ||||
| 2 | 9.2 km · 1077 m gain starts km 24 · avg 11.8% · max 33.7% | ||||
| 3 | 6.9 km · 728 m gain starts km 54 · avg 10.5% · max 184.8% |
Principales descentes
| Rank | Length | Elevation drop | Start km | Average gradient | Max gradient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7.7 km · 1243 m drop starts km 17 · avg -16.1% · max -359.7% | ||||
| 2 | 6.6 km · 887 m drop starts km 69 · avg -13.4% · max -39% | ||||
| 3 | 5.8 km · 811 m drop starts km 77 · avg -14% · max -40.8% |
Mestia Ultra 100K: The Caucasus Race That Opens with a 1,906m Climb, Measured
Why Mestia Ultra Is One of the Most Elevation-Dense 100Ks in Europe (61.8 m/km, Bigger Than UTMB)▼
Q: How hard is the Mestia Ultra 100K? A: Extreme. The race covers ~102 km with 6,319 m of gain — 61.8 m/km, more elevation density than UTMB Mont-Blanc. The opening 9.87 km climbs 1,906 m at a 19.31% average gradient, reaching approximately 3,400m before km 10. The distance-weighted average uphill gradient across the full course is 14.81% — in the top 1–3% of the DTR database. The 30-hour cutoff and mandatory gear list reflect genuine high-alpine risk.
Course Profile — A 1,906m Opening Climb, Glaciated Ridges, and Almost No Flat Ground▼
Q: Is Mestia Ultra a UTMB qualifier? A: Yes. The Mestia 100K is a UTMB 100M qualifier earning 5 ITRA points — the highest ITRA point value available for a single race. The 70K distance is a UTMB 100K qualifier earning 4 ITRA points.
Getting to Mestia: 4–5 Hours from the Nearest Airport, and Why It's Worth It▼
Q: Which airport should I use for Mestia Ultra? A: Kutaisi (KUT) is the nearest international airport at approximately 4–5.5 hours by road — this race is genuinely remote. Tbilisi (TBS) is 8–10 hours away but has more international connections. Budget travellers can take a train from Tbilisi to Zugdidi (~6 hrs) then a minibus to Mestia (~4 hrs). A small plane from Tbilisi Natakhtari to Mestia Airport is the fastest option. Book accommodation in Mestia early — limited supply in peak July season.
UTMB 100M Qualifier in the Caucasus: What the €120 Entry and 30-Hour Cutoff Mean in Practice▼
Q: How much does it cost to enter Mestia Ultra 100K? A: Entry is approximately GEL 375 standard (roughly €120 at current rates) — around €1.17 per kilometre. Entry is application-based: runners submit a form and are approved within 72 hours. The 2025 edition sold out. Check traillab.ge/mestia/ for 2026 availability.
Fichiers de course
Logistique
Aéroport le plus proche
Kutaisi (KUT) / Tbilisi (TBS) / Batumi (BUS)
Notes
Start: ~4–5.5 hrs (KUT) or ~8–10 hrs (TBS) or ~5–7 hrs (BUS) to Mestia by road / Public transport: marshrutka vans possible from Kutaisi/Tbilisi/Zugdidi but slow; car or organized transfers recommended / Accommodation: limited in Mestia in peak season; book early
FAR
It’ll possibly take 3+ hours from the closest large airport to arrive. Plan your adventure accordingly, take an extra day for those after-race beers or Curranz.
