Big Bear's Ultra

Big Bear's Ultra is a Slovak trail-running series with its main races finishing at Budatín Castle. The program includes the long BBU100+ and relay races, as well as the shorter BBU60+ and BBU40. The 40 km race has a UTMB Index classification and approximately 2,000 meters of elevation gain. It takes place in September and is designed for mountain runners, not road racers. The longest routes begin at Budatín Castle and proceed through the Kysucká vrchovina hills towards Malá Fatra and the Strážovské vrchy mountains. The 60+ race starts below Strečno Castle, and the 40 km race begins in Turie. The BBU40 quickly leads runners onto the Súľov Rocks ridgeline. The broader course connects castle regions with meadows, forest trails, steep ascents, rocky segments, a river crossing, and a challenging 15 km stretch of continuous climbing and descending. Recent BBU40 results indicate a small international field, with participants from Slovakia, Poland, the Czech Republic, France, Australia, and other countries.