Bulgaria · Smolyan Province (Rhodope)
Distance
95 km
Date
Entry fee
€65
€ / km
€0.68
New date pending
This race has already occurred. A new date for next year’s edition is pending.
The DECATHLON Yagodina Cave Ultra is a 95km ITRA-certified mountain ultra based in Shiroka Laka, Smolyan Province, in the Rhodope Mountains of Bulgaria. The course gains 4,780m D+ over 95km (50.3 m/km) -- elevation density in the same class as UTMB -- with a 24-hour time limit and an early-morning start that places the most technical terrain in darkness. Part of the DECATHLON Thracian Ultra event family and a UTMB Index race, the 95km carries 4 ITRA points at Mountain Level 6, Finisher Level 390.
At 11.0% distance-weighted average uphill gradient with only 13.1% flat terrain, the course is relentlessly demanding: 44.0% uphill, 42.8% downhill, and almost no recovery terrain. The race opens at km 0.03 with a 583m climb at 19.8% average gradient -- before most runners have warmed up -- peaking at Perelik (1,980m) by km 11. The descent from Perelik drops 839m over 5.9 km at -14.1% average gradient, one of the most sustained technical descents in the DTR database for a race of this length.
The Rhodope Mountains are among the most biodiverse and historically rich ranges in southeastern Europe. The course threads through ancient beech and pine forests, near the Yagodina Cave system -- one of Bulgaria's deepest -- and through Rhodope villages including Shiroka Laka, Mugla, Govren, and Trigrad. Mandatory kit includes a bear bell: brown bears are active in the area. Entry costs 65 EUR (0.68 EUR/km) and the race does not sell out. For runners targeting a serious ITRA qualifier with UTMB-level elevation density in one of Europe's most underrated mountain ranges, the Yagodina Cave Ultra is a standout option.
Total Meters
4,780m
D+/KM
50.3m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
Avg Uphill Gradient
11.0%
Avg Downhill Gradient
-11.4%
| 2–5% | 8.9 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 13.6 km | |
| 10–15% | 9.6 km | |
| 15–20% | 5.1 km | |
| 20%+ | 4.5 km |
| 44.0% | Uphill |
|---|---|
| 13.1% | Flat |
| 42.8% | Downhill |
| 1 | 6.0 km · 611 m gain starts km 5 · avg 10.1% · max 39.7% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 5.3 km · 609 m gain starts km 43 · avg 11.4% · max 34.5% |
| 3 | 2.9 km · 583 m gain starts km 0 · avg 19.8% · max 75.1% |
| 1 | 5.9 km · 839 m drop starts km 17 · avg -14.1% · max -31.0% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 7.3 km · 685 m drop starts km 35 · avg -9.4% · max -35.3% |
| 3 | 3.5 km · 510 m drop starts km 48 · avg -15.0% · max -45.9% |
The DECATHLON Yagodina Cave Ultra is a 95km ITRA-certified mountain ultra held annually in late May in the Rhodope Mountains of Bulgaria, starting and finishing in Shiroka Laka, Smolyan Province. The course gains 4,780m D+ with a 24-hour time limit. It is an ITRA 4-point race at Mountain Level 6 (Finisher Level 390) and a UTMB Index event. The race is part of the DECATHLON Thracian Ultra event family, which also includes a 50km Thracian Ultra, 21km Gela Run, and 12km Discovery Race.
Extremely demanding for its distance. The 95km course carries 50.3 m/km elevation density -- in the same category as UTGS 48km -- with 11.0% average uphill gradient, -11.4% average downhill gradient, and only 13.1% flat terrain. The race opens at km 0.03 with a 583m climb at 19.8% average gradient and reaches 1,980m at Perelik (km 11) before descending 839m at -14.1% average gradient -- all before the first quarter of the race. The 24-hour time limit and overnight duration add cold and navigation demands to the technical gradient profile.
Yes. The 95km carries 4 ITRA points at Mountain Level 6, Finisher Level 390. It is also a UTMB Index event. With 4 ITRA points, it qualifies runners for UTMB events requiring points in the Ultra category and higher. ITRA points are awarded to finishers at the 95km distance.
Entry is 65 EUR (0.68 EUR/km). The race does not sell out -- the 95km had approximately 77 registered runners for 2026 from a 300-person cap. Registration opens through ultramarathons.bg (Bulgarian Ultramarathons organisation). The race is held annually in late May; monitor the official site at thracian-ultra.com for next edition registration dates.
Plovdiv Airport (PDV) is the nearest option at approximately 106 minutes by car to Shiroka Laka -- a manageable transfer by European race standards. Sofia Airport (SOF) is a larger hub with more international flight options and approximately 2.5-3 hours by car. A rental car is the practical choice for either airport; public transport into the Rhodope village circuit is limited. Shiroka Laka has limited accommodation; Smolyan (the provincial capital, approximately 30 minutes away) offers a wider range of hotels.
Nearest airport
Plovdiv (PDV)
Notes
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Ibiza Trail Maratón 48 km
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