K3 ULTRA GBR 100K

What to expect from the GBR GEOPS 100K adventure?

The start of K3ULTRA GEOPS 100 is in the centre of the village of Kushla. The runners will be seen off by the 14 residents of the village as well as all the guests of K3 ULTRA who signed up for the incredible hike to the emblematic caves above Kushla.

After the start, the runners will take a beautiful path which, after 3 km, will lead them to one of the most spectacular places in the Rhodopes – The Caves and God’s Bridge. From there they will soon reach the very borderline, which they will follow for almost 20 km. They will have the chance to pass by 12 borderline pyramids, which provide unforgettable views both of Greece and Bulgaria. It is hard to decide which part of the track is the most beautiful, if you just stop for a moment, the whole magic of the border will be imprinted deeply in the runners minds.

From the border, the route turns toward Chukata Peak, descends to St. Athanasius Chapel, crosses the Varbitsa River, and under the applause of numerous K3 ULTRA supporters, the runners will reach a well-deserved aid station in Zlatograd.

From the center of the golden town of the Rhodopes, the runners will head west, passing through the Old Town and past the Watermill, where they will take a scenic eco-trail leading to St. Nedelya Peak. Around the historical St. Nedelya Chapel, a checkpoint will be placed.

From St. Nedelya peak, the route descends to the town of Nedelino through beautiful, easy-to-run mountain trails. An aid station with various surprises will be set up in the town.

After a short rest, the runners will begin the ascent to the Belite Kamani (White stones) and then to Shadiitsa, from where everyone will be able to enjoy breathtaking views: to the north the well-known Rozhen, Snezhanka and Perelik peaks, and to the south – the ridge along our Bulgarian-Greek border, with Marzyan, Lomska Chuka and Veykata peaks. The route then descends towards the Pechinsko Aid Station. From Pechinsko along a pleasant path in a deciduous forest, through the beautiful village of Borinovo, the runners will reach the town of Madan, where they will be welcomed and received as long-awaited guests.

From the centre of Madan, runners will take a path that will take them to the “sunny” village of Maglyane (the name is derived from the Bulgarian word for “fog”), and from there, the route will mostly follow the so-called Madan Ore Field, where runners will be able to see both unique mineral formations and special mining facilities. They will pass beneath the iconic aerial cableway and reach one of the most impressive rock formations in the Rhodopes – Kechi Kaya, around which they can see the ruins of the medieval Koznik Fortress.

Here, an aid station will be set up, offering traditional Rhodopean delicacies from the Madan region. After that, the route goes along the Babkata Mound, a pleasant section through a stunning beech forest and along the borderline, offering breathtaking views. On the southern border, runners can admire the Rhodopes in Greece, and on a clear day, they might even catch a glimpse of the 1600-meter-high peaks of Samothrace Island. To the east the picturesque Varbitsa River Valley unfolds in all its beauty.

Then, there is a smooth descent again along the mountain ridge passing above Alamovtsi village, where there will be an aid station, through Rupchevo Peak, Kilovi Kolibi, and Kosora Peak. After that, the runners descend to St. Ekaterina Chapel. From here, only two kilometers remain to the finish line in Zlatograd, a section that is shared across all race distances.

Great things happen when people and mountains meet!