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)

The 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 (Map): Tihany

Date: 20-21 June 2009 (Saturday-Sunday)

Start time: Saturday, 10.00

Race 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): www.ultrabalaton.hu

 

No guarantee is made as to the accuracy or thoroughness of the information on this page.