Pirin Ultra 2025 – Rules and Safety

Pay special attention to the following general risks in the race area:

  • Movement in technical sections – passes, peaks.
  • Shortage of drinking water sources.
  • Wild animals and shepherd dogs.
  • Reduced visibility in valleys, passes and peaks in early and late hours.
  • Losing the track when entering meadows.
  • Hypothermia/low temperatures in Pirin mountain.

Safety plan:

This plan is mandatory for all participants in the event – incl. competitors, public, judges, coaches, support teams, media. Non‑compliance exposes participants and others to serious risk of injury.

Violation of the plan by participants will result in immediate termination of their participation and refusal by the organizer for future editions.

Operational safety:

  • Participants must complete the full course with their complete equipment; leaving any part of the equipment is not allowed.
  • Event safety is coordinated by the Head of Safety Team, Course Manager and Race Director.
  • The Safety Team includes mountain rescue experts, a doctor, and the necessary equipment for rescue operations.

Safety team deployment and emergency reporting:

The Safety Team is positioned at pre‑defined points along the route during different phases of the race, from where they coordinate and carry out rescue actions if needed.

In the event of an emergency, participants immediately notify by GSM the Head of the Safety Team (or the Course Team/Director/Mountain Rescue or the nearest aid station if there is no coverage), provide first aid, remain at the site until receiving additional instructions. Following the received instructions is mandatory.

In case of emergency or need of medical help:

  • Decisions to conduct and carry out a rescue operation are taken by the Head of the Safety Team.
  • The decisions of the Head of the Safety Team are final and are not subject to discussion or dispute by any participant in the race.
  • Communication is led by the Head of the Safety Team. Use of radio frequencies is carried out only with his permission.

Force majeure and termination of the race:

  • The decision is taken by the Race Director and communicated to all judges and aid stations.
  • Athletes receive information and instructions at the aid stations and immediately move by the fastest and safest possible way to the Start/Finish. It is absolutely forbidden to leave the event without reaching the Start/Finish.

Media information:

Media representatives inform the Media Coordinator about their movement on the course and receive from him information about the program, route and the movement of the competitors. Current information about provisional classification and holding of the event is available in the Start/Finish area.

If a participant decides to withdraw from the race:

  • Notify the Race Director immediately by phone or in person, or move to the nearest/easiest reachable aid station and confirm the withdrawal.
  • Follow the team’s instructions to move to the Start/Finish. Ending participation is only possible at that point. It is strictly forbidden to leave the event without reaching the Start/Finish.

Stopping a participant by an official:

Any judge at an aid station or on the course may stop a participant due to their physical and/or mental condition. The decision is confirmed by the Race Director. The stopped participant must strictly follow the instructions to move to the Start/Finish.

Pirin Ultra