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In this week’s Buzz:
Can any botanists identify what this plant is from the local market?
Pirin Ultra sees familiar faces racing in town
Bansko Street Dogs Saturday Sale
Spike in hotel bookings over the festive season
Pirinsko’s Clean the Mountain project continues this weekend
Stand out with an exclusive @bansko.me email
Photo by Bansko Municipality
Pirin Ultra fills Bansko with endurance, spirit, and a few missteps
This weekend has seen 900+ people take part in the Pirin Ultra, with the 25km yesterday (Saturday) attracting nearly 450 people, including some familiar faces from the UK, Germany, France, and Bulgaria.
The quickest finish time for the 25km was just over two hours, with a lightning-fast first place for the 160km Ultra being completed in just over 28 hours by Slovakian Václav Jarčuška. I don’t know about you, but running that distance in that amount of time, to me, seems bonkers.
I spoke to a few people who took part in the 25km race, listening to how nearly all of them went the wrong way and needed to double back, the individual stages where an injury niggled them and they had to keep going, and the points when they were just plain exhausted. But, thankfully, all of them made it back down to the town square to collect their medals. Congrats.
I was also surprised to hear that entrants are given 10 hours to complete the 25km course, and there were stations along the route where you could effectively have a picnic with various types of food, fruit, and sweet treats offered. With the slowest person taking 9 hours & 50 minutes to complete things yesterday, I’m pretty sure a hike up, a picnic on the way, and a wander down to the finish line in the square is doable for most able-bodied people who prefer hiking over running.
To view all Pirin Ultra competitions, finish times, and rankings, visit this page.
Boutique Style Coworking in the Heart of Bansko
Three coworking spaces carefully designed & arranged to inspire members to focus on their ideas and goals. Our community bridges the gap between the Bansko community and working online, bringing people together by challenging each other on Side Hustle Day, enjoying dinner together in a local mehana, or chilling and talking about everything and nothing at Friday Beers.
If you want to join a community and coworking space that offers the right work-life balance, then book in for your trial day with Altspace Coworking. It’ll be one of the best decisions you’ll make.
Inside the Bansko Notice Board Group
✍️ 68 New Posts, 💬 104 Comments, 👍️ 464 Reactions
Any Botanists Know What This is?
Pamela bought a leafy plant from the market and it’s grown to be rather big. She wondered if anyone could help her identify it.
Watching British TV in Bansko With a VPN
Athena wants to watch some TV programmes on BBC iPlayer and Netflix in Bansko and wondered if anyone had a suggestion for the best VPN to use.
What Are The Current Prices at Pulse Therme in Banya?
Jessica was curious about the current prices for Pulse Therme in Banya and whether she could go there with her children.
Pirin Ultra 25km Entrants
I posted a link for people to keep track of individuals they might know taking part in the Pirin Ultra 25km yesterday. It turns out there were quite a few familiar faces!
Local/Municipality News
Bansko Municipality shows off new children’s play park
The local municipality has published photos of children enjoying the new play park on Pirin Street (in front of Chevermeto), which has recently opened. You may also be pleased to know that other play parks for children in town are undergoing refurbishment, with the one next to Grosch Supermarket having been completed recently. Read more.
Razlog remembers aviator who died in last year’s aircraft crash
Razlog municipality reminded residents of the first anniversary of the death of Captain Ventsislav Dunkin (posthumously promoted from senior lieutenant), who died when two Bulgarian Air Force jets crashed at Graf Ignatievo Air Base (north of Plovdiv) while conducting low-altitude manoeuvres ahead of an air show. Read more.
New Year’s Eve bookings boom in Bansko
Nova TV reports that bookings for accommodation in Bansko over the festive period are exploding. It states that a 6-day holiday for a family of four is around 2,000 to 4,000 BGN, with many Romanian tourists making reservations using early bird deals. Read more. [Translation required.]
Live a more sustainable life and think about the planet
Have any unwanted clothes or textiles at home? The local municipality has put together a collection point at the main entrance to the town park (on Tsar Simeon Street) to collect any clothes or textiles for recycling on Saturday (20th) from 9.30am until 1pm. Read more.
Claim Your Bansko.me Email
Show your Bansko pride every time you send an email.
Forget Yahoo and Gmail, with a Bansko.me email address you finally get an address that feels like home. Perfect for locals, expats, and digital nomads who want to stay connected to Bansko, wherever you are.
Accounts start at just €19/year, with only 10 lifetime accounts available. Clean, ad-free, and private. A premium address that says you belong here.
Events Next Week
Vihren Vertical
The Vihren Vertical is a speedy ascent up into the mountains on a 3km course that takes place on Saturday (20th). The entry fee is 20 BGN. They are offering dinner and accommodation at Vihren Hut the night before (19th) for a reasonable fee. More info [scroll down for English].
Pirinsko’s Clean The Mountain Project
The second Saturday for Pirinsko’s Clean the Mountain project in Bansko. On Saturday (20th) from 9am to 5pm, there are a couple of places in Bansko open for volunteers to help clean up. More info.
Bansko Street Dogs’ Saturday Sale
Support the local Bansko Street Dogs charity by attending their Saturday Sale. What’s on offer? Clothes, homewares, books, furniture, plants, outdoor gear (bikes, tents, etc.) – all pre-loved and in great condition. On Saturday 20th from 10am to 2pm, near Moderator (location).
Other events are likely to be posted in the Bansko Notice Board’s events section here.
Photo of the Week
A view of Popovo Lake from above.
Photo by Tina Takeva
Tag @banskobuzz to get your photo in the Buzz.
Before You Go…
What is the weather like in Bansko at the moment? Absolutely gorgeous. Mid twenties during the day and a mild 13-15°C at night. Perfect weather for getting out and about in the mountains or having a leisurely lunch in the sun.
All restrictions on the road up to Vihren Hut will be completely removed as of Tuesday morning, and the town will gradually transition from the summer season into hibernation for a month or two.
Of course, I’ll be bringing you news, events and happenings to your email inbox every Sunday by 9pm (Bansko time).
Until next week.
—
Nick Sanders
Publisher, Bansko Buzz
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