It is our pleasure to introduce to you the second new distance of K3 ULTRA for 2022 - GBR 43. It is special because its start will be in the town of Madan and the final - in Zlatograd, while the distance is the classical marathon length of a little more than 2.195 км and D+1400 м. The runners start from the centre of Madan, go past the new sports hall and take the picturesque path to the peak Ilinden.
Almost the whole route goes above the so-called Madan ore field, where you can see unique mineral formations as well as special mining facilities. Thus you reach one of the Rhodope’s most stunning rock formations - Kechi Chaya, around which can be seen the remains of the major medieval fortress Koznik. There an aid station will be set up with Rhodopean dishes from the region of Madan. Then the track follows past the Babkata pile, from where everyone can enjoy two breathtaking views: to the north - the familiar Rozhen, Snezhanka and Perelik and to the south - the mountain ridge going along our southern border. The route continues with a pleasant section through a beech forest and running along the borderline together with the runners in the GBR 63 distance. At the border aid station ‘Gabkata’ will be set up with beautiful views of the valley of the Varbitsa river to the east.
After that follows a gradual descent down the mountain ridge above the village of Alamovtsi, through the peak Rupchevo, Kilyov’s cabins and the peak Kosora. From there, together with the runners in two other distances, the participants go down to the chapel St Ekaterina. From then on there are only three kilometres left to the finishing line in Zlatograd, which are common to all distances.
A marathon from Madan to Zlatograd!
Great things transpire when people and mountains get together!
