Georgia · Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti
Distance
102 km
Date
Entry fee
GEL 375
€ / km
€1.17
New date pending
This race has already occurred. A new date for next year’s edition is pending.
Mestia Ultra 100K: The Caucasus Race That Opens with a 1,906m Climb, Measured
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 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 9.9 km climbs 1,906 m at a 19.3% average gradient, reaching 3,400m at Koruldi Lakes before km 10. Entry costs €1.17/km (GEL 375 standard). Kutaisi (KUT) is the nearest airport at 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.
Elevation and Terrain
Total Meters
6,319m
D+/KM
61.8m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
Avg Uphill Gradient
14.8%
Avg Downhill Gradient
-15.0%
Uphill gradient distribution
| 2–5% | 5.8 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 11.4 km | |
| 10–15% | 9.5 km | |
| 15–20% | 6.4 km | |
| 20%+ | 8.3 km |
Route Profile
AnalysedTerrain breakdown
| 40.4% | Uphill |
|---|---|
| 19.7% | Flat |
| 39.9% | Downhill |
Terrain
Mestia Ultra – 102.26 km 102km Top Climbs
Top Climbs
| 1 | 9.9 km · 1,906 m gain starts km 1 · avg 19.3% · max 69.2% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 9.2 km · 1,077 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% |
Top descents
| 1 | 7.7 km · 1,243 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 -39.0% |
| 3 | 5.8 km · 811 m drop starts km 77 · avg -14.0% · max -40.8% |
Mestia Ultra (Mestia 100K): The Georgian 100K That Out-Climbs UTMB Per Kilometre
How hard is the Mestia Ultra 100K?
▼
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.
Is Mestia Ultra 100km an UTMB qualifier?
Is Mestia Ultra 100km an UTMB qualifier?▼
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
Which airport should I use for Mestia Ultra?
▼
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.
Application-Based Entry and the 2025 Sell-Out: The Mestia Ultra 100K
How much does it cost to enter Mestia Ultra 100K?
▼
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.
July 18, 2026: The Mestia Ultra 100K Race Date
When does the 2026 Mestia Ultra 100K take place?
▼
July 18, 2026 (start at 06:00). The full UTMB event weekend runs across multiple dates for shorter distances.
Mestia Ultra – 102.26 km 102km GPX
Getting to Mestia Ultra – 102.26 km
Nearest airport
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.
