Boka Bay Trail 83km: Night Start from the Adriatic, a 1,142m Opening Climb, and a Medieval City Finish in Kotor

The Boka Bay Trail Gray Course is an 83km point-to-point trail ultra running from Port Skver in Herceg Novi to the City Citadel in Kotor's Old Town, Montenegro. The course covers 4,100m D+ (49.4 m/km) and connects two of the Adriatic coast's most distinctive cities via the mountain terrain surrounding the Bay of Kotor. It starts at 01:00 (overnight) and runs through dawn, with runners reaching the 1,596m high point during the night or early morning. The Gray Course was introduced in 2024; the overall Boka Bay Trail event has run since 2021 across distances from 17km to 83km. Racecheck rating: 4.9/5 from 46 reviews, Gold Award 2026. Entry fee EUR 63-99 (+5% processing). NOT FAR: Tivat Airport (TIV) is 21 minutes from the start. Next edition: April 24-25, 2027.

The course is sustained and demanding, particularly in the opening section. 4,100m D+ over 83km (49.4 m/km); DW average uphill 9.72% (LOWER-MID tier, approaching MID); DW average downhill -9.14% (LOWER-MID tier). Only 12.8% of the course is flat -- near the minimum in the DTR database, meaning almost no passive terrain across 83km. The defining challenge is the opening climb: 9.81km gaining 1,142m (11.64% average) starting at km 0.09, in darkness at 01:00, directly from the Herceg Novi harbour. The final 8.97km drops 1,015m into Kotor at -11.31% average. All three major climbs average 11-12% -- consistent and sustained rather than explosively steep (20%+ band is only 0.96km total). Racecheck reviewers rate it 76% Hilly and 37% Very challenging. The 01:00 overnight start and coast-to-alpine temperature swings add logistics complexity.

The race is point-to-point from Herceg Novi to Kotor, so runners start and finish in different cities. The race organizers provide a bus transfer from Kotor to Herceg Novi on the Saturday night before the race (23:00 departure; EUR 10 reservation fee). Bib pickup is in Kotor on Saturday April 25 (17:00-20:00 at Omladinski klub), then again at the Herceg Novi start area from 23:30-00:45. The race starts at 01:00 from Port Skver, Herceg Novi and finishes at the City Citadel, Old Town Kotor. 8 aid stations are placed across the course at approximately 10-12km intervals. Mandatory gear includes headlamp, emergency blanket, hydration pack, and basic first aid. The start package includes a dry-fit T-shirt, chip timing, course marking, rescue team, aid stations, finisher medal, and a hot meal at the finish. Registration is transferable to the following year if the event is cancelled.

Boka Bay Trail holds a 4.9/5 Racecheck rating from 46 reviews across all editions, with a 4.86/5 specifically in 2026 and a Gold Award 2026. Subcategory scores are consistently high: Supporting Staff (4.93), Finish Area (4.93), Event Logistics (4.91), Event Safety (4.91), Swag (4.91), Pre-event communication (4.85), Course Congestion (4.85), Sustainability (4.80), Course Navigation (4.78), Aid Stations (4.76). Reviewer characterizations: 76% describe the course as Hilly, 61% Large Festival Atmosphere, 50% Urban and Nature Mix, 37% Very challenging. An independent race report from Boundless Montenegro (33km edition) describes the race as one of the most rewarding despite punishing climbs, searing heat, and a cramping-and-knee-concern type effort, set against stunning coastal and mountain scenery with strong local support.

Tivat Airport (TIV) is the primary airport and closest to the race -- approximately 21 minutes from the start area (NOT FAR). Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) in Croatia is an alternative at approximately 1.5-2.5 hours including the border crossing. Podgorica Airport (TGD) is approximately 1.5-2.5 hours. Public buses run along the bay between Herceg Novi, Kotor, and Tivat; race-day logistics are more straightforward by taxi or car. Accommodation is available in Tivat (near the airport), Kotor (finish city), and Herceg Novi (start city); book early as April is peak season for the Adriatic coast. The race organizers provide a bus transfer from Kotor to Herceg Novi the night before start (Saturday 23:00; EUR 10 reservation fee required).