site.bta3,100-Plus Cyclists and Runners to Enter Tour of Vitosha 100, June 29-30

The 41st Tour of Vitosha 100 will take place on June 29 and 30. More than 3,100 cyclists and runners representing nearly 20 countries, including entire teams, have registered for the mountain ultra marathon and mountain bike race so far. The number of foreign entrants is expected to reach 120, including staff of quite a few embassies in Sofia. Over 200 will compete in the extreme challenge: a 200 km duathlon: cycling round Mt Vitosha and then running the same distance.

The youngest participant in the 100 km race has been a five-year-old boy, who covered the route together with his father. Six years ago, a 70-year-old finished the duathlon.

The event is part of the initiative Sofia European Capital of Sports. The chief organizer is Anna Pencheva.

Traditionally, the start and finish are in front of the Boyana Residence. Cyclists will start the super challenge at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, and the start of the ultra marathon will be on the same day, at 11:59 p.m.  

Expected finish times is for leading men cyclists is just before 10:00 a.m. on Saturday for leading cyclists, just before 11:00 a.m. on Saturday for leading women cyclists, around 8:00 a.m. on Sunday for leading men runners, and around 9:00 a.m. on Sunday for leading women runners.

The award ceremonies for runners and duathlon participants is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at 4:00 p.m. in the start/finish zone. 

Historic Achievements

Two years ago, Hristo Tsvetkov became the first runner to cover the 100 km distance in less than 8 hours: 7.45:34 hours, shaving 22 minutes off his own record and leaving the runner-up nearly an hour behind. Last year Tsvetkov scored a third win, setting a new record of 7.39:54 hrs, beating his previous best by another 6 minutes.

"I am practising hard for my next entry, and I hope to come on top for a  fifth time running with yet another record. At last, the route is expected to be dry, which will be wonderful for all participants," Tsvetkov said at a news conference here on Tuesday.

"Sofia Municipality backs this event and thanks Anna Pencheva and her team for the efforts to keep alive the tradition of this race which is emblematic for the city," Sofia European Capital of Sports Organizing Secretary Anatoli Iliev said at the same news conference. He wished success to everybody "who dared to race with themselves."

Again, this year's Vitosha 100 will be a "waste-free race", which is why entrants are urged to bring their own water bottles and pick their waste after the event. In the start/finish area, finishers can relax in expressly provided sets, and guests and spectators will enjoy themselves. Thanks to the sponsors, cyclists will be able to wash their bikes for free, and a special machine will accept plastic bottles for recycling. Refreshments will be available at 12 points along the route.

Various prizes will be handed to participants and spectators. The organizers insisted on acknowledging the gratuitous support of chocolate and wafer manufacturers for Vitosha 100.  

A couple of years ago, the management of the Vitosha Nature Park gave permission for the "adoption" of the route of the Tour, which means that the marking and the signs can already be maintained and used by everybody who wish round the year.

The Vitosha 100 Records (along the new route)

Men cyclists: Alexander Alexiev, 3.55:44 hrs (2019)
Women cyclists: Hristina Kozareva, 5.13:03 hrs (2019)
Men runners: Hristo Tsvekov, 7.39:54 hrs (2023)
Women runners: Maria Nikolova, 9.17:32 hrs (2020)
Men duathlon: Samuil Valchev, 14.15:13 hrs (2023)
Women duathlon: Lili Angelova, 16.25:34 hrs (5.39:41 and 10.45:57) (2019).