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Kaçkar by UTMB Guide

KAÇKAR BY UTMB: The League of Summits and Technical Course Analysis

On September 26-28, 2025, Rize hosted a historic first in Turkish sports history. The UTMB® World Series, considered the "Champions League" of the trail running world, began its first adventure in Turkey in the wild geography of the Kaçkar Mountains.

Kaçkar by UTMB is not just a running race; it is an endurance test whose technical difficulty rivals its counterparts in Europe, where athletes can collect the "Running Stones" needed to participate in the UTMB Finals in France (Chamonix).

We analyzed the courses of this tough challenge with technical data for your 2026 goals.

 

1. The Royal Course: KAÇKAR 100K (The Beast)

It is the toughest, most technical, and most majestic route of the Kaçkar Mountains. This course pushes both the physical and mental limits of athletes not only with its distance but also with the high-altitude crossings it includes.

  • Distance: Approx. 100 km

  • Total Elevation Gain: Approx. +6,400m

  • Running Stones Earned: 3

  • Critical Points and Analysis:

    • Ayder Start: The race begins in the festival atmosphere of Ayder, but immediately after, it enters the forest line with a steep climb.

    • Hazindak and Samistal: The first major test of the course. The climb to Hazindak Highland passes through narrow and technical trails inside "primary forests" (ancient forests). The stone-paved roads of Samistal offer a historical atmosphere.

    • Kavron and Mezovit Pass (The Crux): This is the most vital point of the race. After Upper Kavron, under the majesty of the North Face, athletes climb to Mezovit Pass at 3200 meters, where oxygen levels decrease. This is a rocky and technical terrain known as "scramble," where hands are used in places. The view of Kaçkar's glacial lakes is beneath your feet here.

    • Huser Highland: Towards the end of the race, you climb to Huser Highland, located above the clouds. While the sea of clouds view here makes you forget the fatigue, the descent is technical and harsh.

 

2. Technical and Fast: KAÇKAR 50K

Although it looks like the "sibling" of the 100K, it is a quite tough ultra marathon on its own. Rather than high-altitude crossings, it focuses on the technical connecting paths of valleys and highlands.

  • Distance: Approx. 50 km

  • Total Elevation Gain: Approx. +3,000m

  • Running Stones Earned: 2

  • Course Characteristics:

    • The route generally uses technical trails on the axis of Gito, Badara, and Palovit valleys.

    • Zilkale Passage: One of the most iconic moments of the course is the section passed under the shadow of the historical Zilkale.

    • Terrain: Muddy forest trails, river crossings, and slippery stone grounds test those who want to speed at this distance with technical skills.

 

3. Entry and Discovery: KAÇKAR 20K

Designed for those who want to step into the UTMB world or elites who want to try explosive power at a short distance.

  • Distance: Approx. 20 km

  • Total Elevation Gain: Approx. +1,300m

  • Running Stones Earned: 1

  • Course Analysis:

    • It covers Galer Düzü (Galer Flatland) around Ayder and nearby highland trails.

    • It should not be described as "easy"; the definition of "flat" in Kaçkar is different from other regions. It includes serious climbs, but its technical difficulty is lower compared to the 100K.

 

Preparation and Strategy

  • Mandatory Gear: Four seasons are experienced in one day in the Kaçkars in September. As seen in the 2025 race, a day starting sunny can give way to freezing wind and fog at 3000 meters. Equipment on the mandatory list (waterproof jacket - at least 10,000 Schmerber, thermal layer, whistle, etc.) is vital.

  • Use of Poles: Especially in Mezovit and Hazindak climbs, using poles is almost a necessity to conserve energy.

  • Accommodation: The race center (Start/Finish) is Ayder Highland. Staying in hotels in the center of Ayder is a strategic advantage to avoid problems on the race morning in terms of logistics.

 

Next Appointment: September 2026

Following the success of the first year, Kaçkar by UTMB 2026 registrations are already attracting global interest. If you are dreaming of Chamonix or just want to test your limits in Turkey's wildest mountains, it is the perfect time to start training.

See you in Kaçkar!

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Important Note: The content above has been prepared for general introduction and guidance purposes regarding the Kaçkar by UTMB organization. The most up-to-date and official data regarding course details, race rules, mandatory gear, and registration conditions may vary. For exact information, please visit the official organization website: https://kackar.utmb.world/en

 

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