Big Bear’s Ultra - BBU 100+

Big Bear’s Ultra is a Slovak mountain-running series centered near Žilina, with races concluding at Budatín Castle. The main BBU100+ is a 118 km ultra covering 6,300 m of elevation gain and having a 30-hour time limit. The BBU60+ spans 62 km with 3,500 m of climbing and an 18-hour limit. The longer races are ITRA-certified, provide UTMB indexes, and offer participants a choice between a full mountain ultra, a relay, a mid-distance ultra, and a new 40 km option. The BBU100+ begins at Budatín Castle, leading runners through Kysucká vrchovina, along the Malá Fatra ridge, across Strážovské vrchy, and returning via Žilina’s historic center. The course connects locations like Veľký Kriváň, Malý Kriváň, Suchý, Strečno, Minčol, Žibrid, and Hričov castle, featuring runnable meadows alongside forest paths, rocky segments, steep ascents, and sharp descents. The BBU60+ starts at Strečno, following the same path from that point. The BBU40 begins at Turie and incorporates the Súľov Rocks ridgeline. A memorable element for runners is the Rajčianka river crossing in Porúbla, followed by a demanding final stretch through Skalky, Tlstá hora, Budzogáň, and the Strážovské vrchy ridge.