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Kaçkar by UTMB® 2026

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🏞 Nature⛰ Mountain
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The event in a few words

There's always another mountain! 👀 Climb the Kaçkar by UTMB®, in Ayder in Turkey 🇹🇷, and try your luck for the holy grail of the races UTMB: that of Mont-Blanc! 🏔️ Yes, with these 3️⃣ exceptional courses awaiting you in the heart of the Pontic Mountains ⛰️: the "KAÇKAR 20K" (22 km), the "KAÇKAR 50K" (43 km), and the "KAÇKAR 100K" (76 km), you will accumulate Running Stones 🪙 to be drawn for the grand finale of the ultras 💪.

It is in the month of September 🌾 that the odyssey kicks off 💥. If you're a lover of nature 🐛, in search of thrills and an extraordinary experience where only a sample of crazy runners 🤪 gathers... then head to Ayder! 🫡 There, you will challenge the mountain trails and techniques of this magnificent region, face the wind 🌬️ and climb the Turkish flora and fauna 🐾. Before reaching your destination, take a breath, warm up your calves and expect to discover a sea of clouds ☁️ that will take your breath away, where the air is pure 😌: that's up to 5,900 meters altitude! Takma kafana, we know you can do it! With its optimal temperatures (10 to 19°C) to aim for the PB ⏱️, its rarely beautiful landscapes ✨ and good preparation (yes yes, you'll need to be diligent with your training young runner 🤓), your race can only go well and leave you with beautiful memories 🥰.

And after this effort worthy of a mountain chamois 🐐: comfort! 😚 The Kaçkar mountains are located in the heart of the Black Sea region 🏴, so if you're curious and feel like it, you can extend your stay to explore the surroundings with activities for all tastes 😛. Indeed, if you're already well-treated by the visual spectacle that will be offered to you 👀, we'll give you a few more tips to maximize your sporty stay 🏃‍♀️ into a unique cultural experience! 🚞 After your race, explore the village of Ayder and its famous thermal hot springs to relax your muscles 🦵. The village is also a bottomless well of history! 🕳️ Between its bridges 🌁 dating back to the Ottoman Empire, its fortresses 🏰, its wooden houses nestled in misty forests 🌳, drawn in pastoral traditions still very much alive ⛰️, you'll discover a facet of Turkey 🇹🇷 like no other. Not far away, you can also visit Rize, a picturesque town only an hour from Ayder 🚗, where you can discover its local specialties 😋. And if you still have strength left in your legs after all these adventures (we don't doubt it 😳), go for a hike in the Kaçkar mountains 🥾, and more specifically in the magnificent Fırtına Valley, perfect for a relaxing moment in nature 🦌.

Now you only have one thing to do: get your race bib and Güle güle kullan to you! 😉

4 reasons to join this race

A breath of fresh air 😮‍💨
Over there, the air is so pure! You will run up to an altitude of 5,900 m ↗️. So, yes, it's a huge challenge 🫢, but once at rest, you'll have clean lungs and stars in your eyes 😍. Who can boast of having run on one of the most beautiful rooftops in the world? 😉 Running the Kaçkar by UTMB is also about enjoying absolutely stunning landscapes and reconnecting with raw nature in the mountains of Rize 🌱.
To the Black Sea 🌊
Yes, you will be only 1h30 by car from the Black Sea... 🛣️ Don't miss this opportunity to discover one of the beautiful wonders of this world 🌍. There, you can discover tea cultures, fishing spots 🎣 and nature taking its course. Once, the Black Sea was a major trade route for the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. You will dive - not into the sea - but into the ancient history of Turkey 🇹🇷.
Try your luck and run the highly sought-after UTMB Mont-Blanc 🏔️
By participating in the Kaçkar by UTMB, you increase your chances of being drawn to run in Chamonix 🏃, Mont-Blanc, with the crème de la crème of runners! 🍦 Classy, but watch out, you'll need to double your efforts if you want this due! Expect an exceptional physical and mental challenge 😮.
A unique cultural and local immersion 👳‍♂️
Cross authentic mountain villages ⛰️, meet the Laz and Hemşin people 🫶, taste tea picked on the slopes 🍵, and sleep in wooden guesthouses 🛖. The passion for ultra-trail takes you to the end of the world, to an off-the-beaten-path Turkey, and that's beautiful.

A distance for every taste

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

You can pick up your race bib at check-in by presenting an ID and your race bag. The bib must be visible throughout the race to access service points.

The races will take place on the weekend of September 27-28, 2025.

Prices vary depending on the distance and the registration date. Prices increase as the event date approaches. Payment is made through the MyUTMB platform. Here is an estimated price range:

  • 100K: about 120 - 160€

  • 50K: about 90 - 120€

  • 20K: about 60 - 80€

  • Personalized bib with timing chip

  • Access to refreshment stations along the route

  • Medical assistance, markers, security

  • A 30 L drop bag for personal belongings

  • Access to shuttles, rest areas, and changing tents

  • Finisher medal (if the race is completed)

The rules refer to a dedicated section "Medical Certificate," so a certificate of no contraindication is mandatory at registration or when picking up the bib.

  • Stations with water, electrolyte drinks, and food consumables on site

  • Each runner must be semi-autonomous between stations (at least a 1 L bottle, personal meals in the bag)

Yes, cut-off times are set at the control points. You need to pass each station before the time limit. Detailed info is in the Runner's Guide and will be reminded via SMS if needed.

The complete list is available on the organizer's website and includes:

  • Closed trail shoes

  • Rain jacket with hood, warm gloves, warm layer, long pants (mandatory 100K/50K; recommended 20K)

  • Headlamp + spare batteries (2)

  • Reflective vest or clothing

  • Hydration pack/bottle at least 2 L (100/50 K) or 500 mL (20 K)

  • First aid kit (emergency blanket, whistle, elastic band, etc.)

  • Phone with LiveRun app, bib, reusable utensils, food supply of 800 kcal (100/50 K)

Results - Kaçkar by UTMB®

2025 editionView results

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