3. Ultrabalaton 2009
Lake Balaton, the largest lake in Central and Western Europe, is home to many long distance races. The 212km Ultrabalaton around the lake is a quite new event - this year will see the third edition. It has quickly grown in popularity: two months before the start, more than 130 ultra runners from 21 countries had already registered. They will be joined by numerous relay teams.
There are three different races:
- a one-day race for individual runners
- an "UltraRelay" race (non-stop or in two days) for teams of up to 10 runners
- a two-day relay race for teams of up to 5 runners: the teams run five stages on Saturday (112km), and another five stages on Sunday (100km)
Start and finish of all races is on the Tihany peninsula at the 'Inner Lake', a volcanic crater lake 25m above the level of Balaton - a particularly nice spot for a rest when the work is done.
In 2008, the star performer was Yiannis Kouros, ultra-running legend and multiple world-record holder from Greece, who won the race in 19 hours 27 minutes. First lady was Ildikó Wermescher from Hungary in 25 hours 56 minutes.
Country: Hungary
Venue: Tihany
Date: 20-21 June 2009 (Saturday-Sunday)
Start time: Saturday, 10.00
Distance: 212km (individuals, relay teams of 5, "UltraRelay" teams of 10 runners)
Start and finish: Tihany, Belsö-tó (Inner Lake)
Race course: anticlockwise around Lake Balaton, undulating
Entries: online, by post or by fax, payment by money transfer (see event website); entries close 18 June
Entry fees: 50-95 EUR (individuals), 30-46 EUR per runner (relay teams of up to 5 runners), 15-33 EUR per runner (UltraRelay teams of up to 10 runners); the entry fees depend on the date of payment
You get: massage on the course and in the finish, technical T-Shirt, gifts from the sponsors, finisher medal, mementoes
Presentation: Sunday, 17.00 (relay, UltraRelay), 18.00 (individuals)
Number of finishers 2008: 58 ultra runners, 76 relay teams
Event Website (in English and Hungarian): Ultrabalaton
