Sunday, June 4, 2023 07:00 o'clock


Route

The route runs through Pchelina, situated about 8 kilometers to the south of Razgrad, as well as the neighboring forests and fields. Almost the whole route is in the forest, along dirt paths and unpaved roads, only a small portion is on pavement or asphalt. Swimming takes place in Pchelina lake - 2 with start / finish on the beach on the lake.

Pchelina and the neighboring land encompass about 70 square kilometers made up mainly by forests. Nature here has been conserved, while at the same time there are walking paths and access roads. The area has been studied, mapped and has marked sights of interest. In the forest you can see wild animals – mostly deer, rabbits, and more rarely wild boar. Pchelina is a part of a protected area, "Ostrovche" BG0000173. The terrain is diverse, the sights are beautiful and are a great illustration of ‘Ludogorie’ (Wild Forests). 

The start / finish meadow is located next to the asphalt road in the Pchelina area, as soon as both lakes are passed, coming from Razgrad. The coordinates of the start / finish meadow are 43°28'26.25"N  26°28'8.17"E. The route will be marked with strips and signs, and where possible- with drawn arrows. Here you can find information on how to get to the starts.

Description of the routes:

Small changes in the routes are possible, which will be announced in due time.
 
 21 km running: Start from the playground of the recreation area "Pchelina". After leaving the meadow, it continues on asphalt and then on a macadam road in the forest. With a right turn continues on a dirt forest road, descent and passage through a ravine, passing along the mound, climbing to the ridge (the highest point of the route) on a marked forest path, descending along a ravine with a river, passing pastures near the village Miladinovtsi, ascent along a forest road, passing through the Big Meadow, through a ravine with a forest pond and along forest fields with a hunting tower, descent to the village of Ostrovche, ascent along the village, entering the forest and descending on a forest dirt road. Crossing a small river, climbing, continuing on a forest path and a steep descent to the start / finish. There are 3 Aid Stations on the route at kilometers 4.5, 10 and 15. The total denivelation is 650 meters.
Download 21 km RUN gpx

42 km running: The first part of this route coincides completely with the route of 21 km run (see its description above). After passing through the start / finish at about 21 km, the route continues forward to the end of the meadow, where they turn right on a bridge, exit on a terraced path along the lakes, cross the lake wall and along the beach of Pchelina - 2 lake, cross the asphalt road and start climbing on a forest path, cross a ravine and continue on a terraced forest path.

Then they go out on a forest road, descend into a ravine, climb the ridge and descend on a cart road to the Tourist Fountain. From there they follow a forest path through a ravine with a small river, until they go out on a meadow with a fountain, continue climbing, entering the forest, descend into a ravine, climb again and descend to Konska Polyana, where they turn left to Dyado Minevata fountain. After a steep climb, they re-enter the forest, pass game fields and descend to the asphalt turning. Cross the river and reach the Final on a path.

The route passes eight times through Aid Stations - at kilometers 4.5, 10, 15, 21, 27, 31, 35 and 39. At the 27th and 39th kilometers is located the same Aid station, which is crossed twice. At kilometers 4.5 and 35 you also pass through the same Aid station. The Start / Finish is also an Aid station on the 21st kilometer. The total denivelation is 1210 meters.

Download 42 km RUN gpx

2 kilometers kids' run: The race will start in the direction of Pchelina-2 Lake, pass over a small bridge, along a path beside Pchelina- 2 Lake and return along the same route. The total denivelation is 10 meters.

Download 2 km RUN gpx

42 km cycling: The route coincides with that of 42 km running, with the difference that at about 21 km the runners turn left and go down a steep path to go through the Start / Finish, while the cyclists continue on the path forward and they descend later, thus avoiding an intermediate passage through the Start / Finish. After the descent, the route for runners and cyclists coinsides. For a description of the route, see above the description of the route for 42 km of running. The route passes seven times through a Aid Stations - at kilometers 4.5, 10, 15, 27, 31, 35 and 39.

At the 27th and 39th kilometers is the same Aid Station, which is crossed twice. At kilometers 4.5 and 35 you also pass through the same Aid Station. The total denivelation is 1220 meters.

Download 42 km MTB gpx

1200 meters swimming (as part of triathlon): The swimming for the triathlon discipline will be held in Pchelin-2 lake. The coordinates are 43°29'27.62"N 26°28'13.30"E. Swimmers perform one round of the lake, starting from the beach.

Download 1.2 km SWIMMING gpx

44 km cycling (as part of a triathlon): The start is from the beach of Pchelina -2 lake. The beginning of the route is the asphalt road along the two lakes. After passing the meadow where the start/finish of the other disciplines is, the route completely coincides with the route of 42 km of cycling. The total denivelation is 1260 meters. For more information, see the description of the 42 km cycling route above.

Download 44 km MTB gpx

13 km run (individually and as part of a triathlon): Start from the playground of the recreation area "Pchelina". For triathletes, this means that after leaving their bikes, they go back to where they came from. After leaving the meadow, it continues for a short time on asphalt and then climbs on a macadam road in the forest. Reaching the Aid station 1, where there is a left turn and separation from the tracks at 21 and 42 km. After the descent, moving along a relatively horizontal section, briefly exiting the forest and a long descent. Crossing a small river, climbing, continuing on a forest path and a steep descent to the start / finish. The total denivelation is 315 meters.

Download 13 km RUN gpx

2 kilometers of children's cycling. Start from the playground of the recreation area "Pchelina" in the southeast direction. Turn 180 degrees at the end of the meadow and go back the other way. Two rounds are made.

Download 2 km MTB gpx

All tracks in gpx format

Photo: Liubomir Kotsev
Photo: Kremena Dimitrova
Photo: Taner Tuschev