The Bali Hope Ultra
Distance: 84km
Total elevation: 1620m
General Conditions
The prevailing weather conditions will be warm (espescially for the 5:30pm start time) and humid with the potential for rain. It will be dark from 6:30pm to 6:00am with some intermittent lighting.
The roads are generally in good condition with occasional potholes. There will be numerous loud but largely harmless dogs.
Temperatures may drop from 25 Celsius (depending on start time) to potentially 10 Celsius + wind chill as runners climb above 1000m and night falls. There is a possibility of quite thick cloud, rain and low visibility at the top of hill at 18 - 23km.
We will have a mobile aid station at 5km (or 30 minute) intervals starting from 7km. These wiill provide hydration and nutrition. Runners can leave a drop bag at the halfway mark.
The Route
From The Lovina Bali to The Saranam: Distance 39km
The 1st 23km
The first 23km is the most technical and challenging in terms of elevation and changeable weather. It takes us from The Lovina to the top of the ridge above Bedugul at 1450m above sea level.
The route breaks down as follows:
1km - 3km: largely flat with a slight incline as we head inland from The Lovina on small roads.
3 - 7km: the incline starts to increase
7 - 12km: steep incline where running will be difficult
12km -18km: split between steep incline and flat stretches.
18km -23km: largely flat along the ridge above Bedugul
23km to 39km
From the ridge to Saranam Resort
As the ridge ends a steep descent though a series os switchbacks lasting approximately1.5 km begins.
Following this the16km run through to our Race HQ at The Saranam is reasonably flat with some undulations and some reasonable descent gradients in the 8km before The Saranam..
This section is reasonably straightforward with relatively easy navigation. The roads are wide, and traffic is likely to be lighter the 11pm-1pm time zone. There is widespread street lighting on this section.
From The Saranam to Old Man’s, Canggu
Distance 45km
21km south from The Saranam
We quickly divert off the main road on to country lanes and through an 8-10km stretch with some elevation and descent, inconsistent street lighting creates an “off the beaten-track” atmosphere.
Following this the roads become mainly very straight, and the third half marathon is technically straightforward with likely very low traffic at this time of night.
The Final 21km
Above Mengwi to Old Man’s
The final stretch aim to minimize your contact with traffic but there are short elements where heavy traffic is possible towards the end. Given the likelihood of runner tiredness, this is an area of risk.
To mitagate naviigartion challenges towards the end a team of BCF students will be marking the numerous turns in the final 7km.
The Finish Line
We will have a private area for runners and supporters at Old Man’s for post run presentation, media and celebration.
Route Marking & Navigation
We employ two primary methods to keep you on track:
1. Humans ot all the key turns
Most of the turns on the course are in the first 5km and the final 5km.
For all the turns through the first 5km a bike crew mark the turns for each starting group.
The turns on the final 5km are all marked by BCF students.
A team of 10 SUVs and 8 bikes, supported by local police mark the turns on the remainder of the route
2. Technology
All runners are provided an app that shows you where you are at all times in relation to the route.The GPS app works regardless of mobile phone coverage Our intention is that you should never have to look at the app but should you need to it will display your precise location in relation to the course and how to get back on track.
As a final step if you feel lost please call our RaceHQ team, share your location on WhatsApp and we will dispatch a bike to come to where you are and bring you back.
