The competition starts in the northern part of the Pearl Gulf in Primorsko, on the beach near the “Lion Heart” base camp. It includes two laps of 1500 m each. The trace marked by buoys is parallel to the shore at distance of 100 m from it. For the safety of the swimmers teams of Bulgarian Red Cross Life Guards will watch over with kayaks and motor boats. The depth is about 4 m and goes above the ruins of the sunken ancient Thracian city of Ranuli, the main entrance to the former lands of the Asti tribe.
After finishing the swimming leg the athletes go through base camp and continue with the cycling leg.
Start: 07:00 AM
Distance: 3 km
Checking time: 2 hours
Cycling starts from the Lion heart base camp, follows the coast alley of Primorsko, crosses the city park and through the streets reaches the road fork to Pismenovo. This village marks the 11th km of the route where the first reinforcement checkpoint is. The road leads via the village of Visitza to the second checkpoint in Zabernovo at 22th km. The lion hearts can then enjoy a long downhill section through the millennial forest of Paroria reserve and the famous Thracian Camp at Kachul area. After crossing the bridge of Veleka river the road becomes flat along the right side of the river to the third checkpoint at Kosti at the 75th km from base camp. After climbing on a smooth asphalt road through the amazing natural reserve Silkosia a thrilling downhill takes the riders to Tissovitsa natural reserve and Fazanovo village. There lies the last checkpoint of the cycling leg at the 100th km. Then the route goes directly to Lion heart base camp for the final leg – running.
Checking time: 8 hours
Highest point: 391 m
Total Positive Displacement: 2037 m
Distance: 116 km
Base camp – Pismenovo – Visiza – Zabernovo – Thracian lager – Kachul – Kosti – Bulgari (Traffic control checkpoint) – Popovi Rocks – Fazanovo – Kiten – Base camp
The final stage starts at Lion heart base camp in the northeast direction passing by the residency Pearl. The route crosses picturesque crags and fresh broad-leaved forests to cape Maslen nos and the sacred sanctuary Beglik Tash at the 9-th km. This is the last reinforcement checkpoint. The athletes follow the markings to the intimate beach of the gulf St. Paraskeva and back via forest pathway to the Ropotamo reserve. In 1929 the Bulgarian sailor Kostadin Georgiev sacrifised his life to save the crew of the French ship Jacque Frassine, crushed not far from this place. We bow our heads to his memory and after a short run on the asphalt we start the climb to the astonishing stone phenomenon Lavskata glava (Lion’s head).
This is the last trial for the lion hearts, however the prize is well worth it. After the uphill comes the most panoramic part of the competition. We stop to take a deep breath and enjoy the magnificent view of the whole Arkutino gulf, lying behind the Lion’s head to the north and the coast of Kiten and Primorsko to the south. Energy is literally swarming from these sacred lands.
What follows is a pleasant, long descend via the not-so-well-known parts of Ropotamo, where herds of roes and deer can be seen, back to the “Lion heart” base camp through a splendid final sprint.
Checking time: 3 hours
Total Positive Displacement: 453 m
Highest point – Lion’s Head: 213 m
Distance: 21 km
Base camp “Lion heart” – Maslen nos – Beglik Tash – Gulf St. Paraskeva – Mount Kitka – Base camp “Lion heart”
