Race preview

Tihany (Hungary), 19-20 June 2010

Ultrabalaton, Katsuhiro Tanaka (JPN) and Petri Pertillä (FIN) (Photo: Edit Bercés)

 

Running through a hot midsummer night has its own appeal, maybe even more so if it's one of the shortest nights of all nights, the one from 19 to 20 June.

And what's THE place in Central Europe for running and running and keep running?

Lake Balaton of course, the "Hungarian Sea", 79 kilometres long, encircled by a cycle route, and home to many long-distance running events.

The 212km Ultrabalaton around the lake, now in its fourth year, has quickly grown in popularity. It incorporates three different races:

  • One-Day Ultrabalaton (for individual runners)
  • Non-Stop Team Race  (for teams of up to 10 runners)
  • Two-Day Team Race (for teams of up to 5 runners): 5 stages on Saturday (112km) and 5 stages on Sunday (100km)

The start and finish of all races is at the "Inner Lake", a volcanic crater lake on the Tihany peninsula, 25 metres above the level of Balaton - a particularly nice spot for a rest when the work is done.

The undulating route follows cycle paths and roads, mostly close to the shore, and features 51 well-stocked feed stations.

In 2009, Eusébio Bochons of Switzerland won the race in a time of 21hours 23minutes. Hungary's Andrea Gál was first woman in 26hours 19minutes.

 

Ultrabalaton, near Tihany (Photo: Edit Bercés)

 

Country: Hungary

Venue (Map): Tihany (Budapest 134km, Vienna 221km, Zagreb 249km, Ljubljana 334km)

Date: 19-20 June 2010 (Saturday-Sunday)

Race distance: 212km

Start time: Saturday 10.00; Sunday 7.00 (second day of the "Two-day Team Race")

Start and finish: Tihany, Belsö-tó ("Inner Lake")

Entries: online, by post or by fax; payment by bank transfer

Entry fees (individuals): 75/100/125 EUR (until 28 February/until 30 April/until 10 June)

Entry fees (teams of 2 runners): 50/60/70 EUR per person

Entry fees (teams of up to 5 runners): 45/55/60 EUR per person

Entry fees (teams of up to 10 runners): 30/35/45 EUR per person

You get: pasta party (on Friday), goody bag, Nike technical T-shirt (to all entrants until 15 May), sponsor gifts, massage on the course and at the finish, finisher medal, memento

Prizes: first 3 M/F (individuals); first 3 teams (3 categories: 2 runners, up to 5 runners, up to 10 runners)

Number of finishers 2009: 73 individuals, 156 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.

 

Ultrabalaton, in Balatonaliga on the eastern shore (Photo: Edit Bercés)