Tryavna Ultra 100km: Balkan Mountain Loop from Historic Tryavna -- UTMB 100K Points, Night Start, and the Spirit of the Balkans

Tryavna Ultra 100km is a Balkan mountain loop starting and finishing in Tryavna, a historic National Revival-era town in Bulgaria's Gabrovo Province. The course delivers 4,000m D+ over ~97-100km (40 m/km; D+/km rank 261/~390 -- upper two-thirds of the DTR database) through architectural park Bozhentsi, eco-park 'Bulgarian Woman' (Bulgarka Nature Park), and dozens of Balkan mountain villages. The race starts Saturday 21:00 (night start) with a 20-hour cutoff (Sunday 17:00). UTMB 100K Index (2025: 97.2km / 4,000m D+ / 140 finishers). ITRA 4 points. 8 aid stations including drop bag at Mladost (km 60.6, 14-hour cutoff). Entry 72-100 EUR (2026 tiered). Organised by iRun.bg since 2015.

The Tryavna Ultra 100km is a UTMB 100K Index listed race that is growing in popularity year over year. With an evening start at 21:00 through old Balkan forests the course features moderate-to-moderately steep average climbing with notably gentle average descents that may be long but not killer your quads due to grade. They are in the top 30% most gentle average downhill grades in the DTR database, despite averaging about 40m/km of D+. The July heat during the day (20-30 C) is something to be prepared and hydrated for - get out your ice bandanas and electrolytes. Te Mladost 14-hour cut-off at km 60.6 requires consistent pacing due to the uphill early in the course.

8 aid stations provide food and beverages throughout: Bozhentsi (11.2km), Sechen Kamak (19.4km), Yabalka (35.9km), Shipka (49.2km), Mladost (60.6km), Balgarka (70.6km), Stanchov Han (84.9km), Plachkovtsi (94km). The one intermediate time barrier is at Mladost (km 60.6): 14-hour cut-off. Drop bag access is available at Mladost (km 60.6) only. Important: there are no plastic cups at aid stations -- bring your own reusable cup. Mandatory equipment includes a 1L water container (required to receive water at aid stations), waterproof jacket, headlamp (2 light sources), whistle, survival blanket, first aid kit, and 500 kcal of food. Missing mandatory items incur 1hr penalties (whistle, food, jacket, under-capacity water container) or disqualification (no water container).

Entry 2026 fees for 100km (tiered by registration date): 72 EUR early (until 09 Feb 2026) / 82 EUR regular (10 Feb-25 May 2026) / 100 EUR standard (26 May-29 Jun 2026). Registration closes 29 June; no on-site registration. Registration is not finalised without completed payment. All participants undergo a mandatory on-site medical check-up before race pack collection (no extra cost). If the medical team deems a runner unfit, 100% of the entry fee is refunded. Entry includes: water, medical care, aid stations, electronic results, branded Tryavna Ultra shirt, and a finisher medal for sub-cutoff completers. Part of the BG Ultra Slam #UltraCube challenge (collect 6 Bulgarian ultra medals 2025-2027). 2027 pricing TBC.

Sofia Airport (SOF) is the main international gateway -- approximately 220km from Tryavna (2.5-3 hours by car or bus). Sofia has direct connections to most major European cities and is accessible via budget airlines. From Sofia, rent a car or take a bus to Tryavna via Gabrovo (~3 hours total). Plovdiv Airport (PDV) is a closer option at ~130km, but has limited international routes. There is limited direct train service to Tryavna. Race pack collection is at Community Center 'Pencho Slaveykov 1871' next to Tryavna Municipality (Friday 17 July 17:00-21:00; Saturday 18 July 14:30-22:30). Tryavna has guesthouses and small hotels; Gabrovo (~25km away) has more accommodation options. See tryavna-ultra.com/accommodation/ for race-recommended listings.