Big Bear's Ultra.
BBU 100+ is the full loop of Big Bear's Ultra: 118 kilometres through the mountains around Žilina, starting and finishing at Budatín Castle. Some 6,000 metres of climbing split into two high mountain blocks in the first half and a long, jagged return, and that return decides how you reach the finish.
Big Bear's Ultra 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
From Budatín Castle the course first crosses two shorter, steep climbs at kilometres 1.5 and 7.7 into the hills, then holds a middling altitude until kilometre 30. What follows is the longest climb of the day: just over six and a half kilometres gaining almost 1,000 metres to about 1,480 m. The route stays high from there, tops out a little above 1,650 m and then drops almost to valley level by kilometre 55.
The second block starts there and is barely gentler: after a short, very steep pitch, a 3.6 km climb of about 570 metres takes you back above 1,300 m. From around kilometre 75 the course rarely rises above 850 metres, yet it never settles. A climb of nearly 400 metres at kilometre 80 and a sequence of short, steep ramps continue until shortly before the finish.
Big Bear's Ultra is an ultra-trail through the hills and mountains around Žilina, laid out as a loop that ends at the same castle where it begins. Checkpoints and refreshment points are listed by the organiser for each distance, and a relay also runs on this route.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 1.5 | 2.3 km | 11.6 % | 23 % | +264 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 7.7 | 1.2 km | 17.6 % | 37 % | +202 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 30 | 6.6 km | 14.8 % | 41.8 % | +969 m | HC |
| km 37.8 | 1.4 km | 15.2 % | 26.6 % | +209 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 41.6 | 1.4 km | 15.3 % | 32.7 % | +218 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 56.4 | 0.9 km | 25.8 % | 38.2 % | +238 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 59 | 3.6 km | 15.6 % | 45.9 % | +567 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 79.6 | 3.2 km | 11.8 % | 30.5 % | +379 m | Cat. 2 |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
How to pace Big Bear's Ultra.
Start under control
The first big climb from kilometre 30 is where this race is most often lost too early. Almost 1,000 metres in one go lead into a long stretch of high ground; climb it at fresh-morning effort and you pay not at the top but 40 kilometres later. Take it at an intensity that still lets you eat, and ignore the watch while you are up high.
Hold your rhythm
The descent to kilometre 55 drops more than 1,000 metres and spends the quads you need for the second block. Run it controlled rather than fast, because the steepest section of the loop comes straight after it.
Spend what is left
The trap is the final third. The altitudes are lower there and the course looks easier on paper, but about a quarter of the race's climbing hides in the many short ramps of the last 40 kilometres. Budget more time for the last 40 kilometres than their height suggests.
Training plan for Big Bear's Ultra: 12-week build
Build the base
The event runs from 18 to 19 September, and for most BBU 100+ starters that means well over 20 hours on course, many of them at night. The effort is mainly aerobic but constantly broken up, as almost half the course climbs or descends steeply. Flat kilometres where you can recover are rare.
Train race pace
Two things decide it: a long climb of nearly 1,000 metres after 30 kilometres, and the ability to still hike and restart on short, steep ramps after 80. Train long mountain days where the hardest climb does not come first, and finish long runs with steep repeats.
Rehearse the course
The descents take a large toll. Build long, steep downhills into your preparation until your legs can absorb 1,000 metres in one go without falling apart. On this profile, poles and strong power hiking are part of running economy, so practise both in training rather than discovering them on race day.
Arrive fresh
The night is part of the course. Run off-road in the dark several times before the race, with the headlamp you will race with, and test your fuelling across a full night so that at the refreshment points you only need to restock.
Courses
Download the Big Bear's Ultra course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Big Bear's Ultra dynamically
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Everything about Big Bear's Ultra.
How long is Big Bear's Ultra?
Big Bear's Ultra is 118 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Big Bear's Ultra have?
Big Bear's Ultra has around 6,010 m of elevation gain over 118 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Big Bear's Ultra?
Big Bear's Ultra is classified as Mountainous, averaging 50.3 vertical metres per kilometre. 10% of the route is flat, 22% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 24% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Big Bear's Ultra have?
The hardest climb of Big Bear's Ultra starts at kilometre 30, runs for 6.6 km at an average of 14.8% and gains 969 metres. Cycling-convention rating: HC. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Big Bear's Ultra a loop course?
Yes, Big Bear's Ultra is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Big Bear's Ultra course?
Yes. The Big Bear's Ultra course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Big Bear's Ultra?
Preparation for Big Bear's Ultra should account for 118 km, 6,010 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Big Bear's Ultra?
The pacing strategy for Big Bear's Ultra should reflect 118 km, 6,010 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does Big Bear's Ultra take place?
Big Bear's Ultra takes place on September 18, 2027.
Where does Big Bear's Ultra take place?
Big Bear's Ultra takes place in Žilina, Slovakia.
Which distances does Big Bear's Ultra offer?
Big Bear's Ultra offers 3 distances — BBU 100+: 118 km; BBU 60+: 62 km; BBU40: 40 km.
How do I register for Big Bear's Ultra?
Registration runs through the organiser: bigbearsultra.sk. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
