Pirin Ultra is a 94km ultra marathon in Bansko, Bulgaria. Distance: 94km. Elevation: 5,500m D+. Difficulty: challenging (Challenge Rating 57/100). DNF rate: 25%. Time limit: 26h. Surface: trail. Established 2015.
Pirin Ultra
Bansko, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
"94km through Pirin National Park climbing to 2914m — UNESCO mountains, glacial lakes, and ancient forests."
A high-altitude mountain ultra through Bulgaria's Pirin UNESCO World Heritage site, reaching 2914m with marble ridges and thousand-year-old pine forests.
The Course
A high-altitude mountain ultra through the Pirin National Park UNESCO World Heritage site. The course reaches the summit of Vihren (2914m), the highest point of the Pirin range, and traverses glacial lakes, ancient Bosnian pine forests, and marble ridgelines.
mountainous
loop
6
2,914m
Runner Experience
Remote course with widely spaced aid points. Runners should be prepared for long unsupported stretches.
Intimate finish in a remote setting. The camaraderie of shared hardship creates deep bonds between finishers.
Race Day Weather
8°C
-2° – 18°
55%
30%
Mountain conditions at altitude. Cold nights, pleasant valleys. Thunderstorms possible. Significant temperature variation with altitude.
Stats & Records
2015
200
18:00:00
10:15:33
Kiril Nikolov (2023)
13:02:45
Ekaterina Mateeva (2022)
Entry
€85
January
months
Lore & Trivia
The Pirin Ultra traverses Bulgaria's Pirin Mountains — a UNESCO World Heritage Site of granite peaks, glacial lakes, and ancient Bosnian pine forest. Pirin is wilder and less developed than the Alps, with mountain huts instead of cable cars and shepherd paths instead of groomed trails. The Bulgarian ultra scene is young but fiercely proud, and Pirin is its crown jewel — a race that showcases a mountain range that most Western European trail runners have never heard of, despite rivalling anything in the Alps for beauty and technicality.
- ▸ The course reaches Vihren (2914m), the third-highest peak in the Balkans.
- ▸ Pirin National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site, home to ancient Bosnian pine trees over 1000 years old.
- ▸ The marble ridgelines of Pirin create a unique alpine landscape unlike the granite of other European ranges.
- ▸ Bulgaria offers some of the most affordable and uncrowded mountain ultras in Europe.
- ▸ Established in 2015.
Pirin is Bulgaria's answer to the Alps — wilder, emptier, and unknown to most Western runners. That's the appeal.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Pirin Ultra? +
Pirin Ultra is a 94km (94km) ultra marathon with 5,500m of elevation gain. The course is loop on trail terrain.
How hard is Pirin Ultra? +
Pirin Ultra is rated challenging with a Challenge Rating of 57/100 (Challenging). The DNF rate is 25%. Runners have 26 hours to finish.
What is the weather like at Pirin Ultra? +
Average temperature is 8°C (range -2°C to 18°C) with 55% humidity and a 30% chance of rain. Mountain conditions at altitude. Cold nights, pleasant valleys. Thunderstorms possible. Significant temperature variation with altitude.
Are crew and pacers allowed at Pirin Ultra? +
No crew access is permitted. Pacers are not allowed. Mandatory gear is required.
What is the course record for Pirin Ultra? +
The men's course record is 10:15:33 set by Kiril Nikolov in 2023. The women's course record is 13:02:45 set by Ekaterina Mateeva in 2022.
What is the average finish time for Pirin Ultra? +
The average finish time is 18:00:00. About 200 runners finish each year. The DNF rate is 25%.
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