Undiscovered destination awaits brand new UTMB World Series event in Türkiye
A hidden gem awaits trail runners in 2025 as the UTMB® World Series heads to the transcontinental country of Türkiye for a brand-new event: Kaçkar by UTMB® on 26-28 September 2025.
The host town of Ayder, Rize, sets the scene from its picturesque plateau nestled in the Kaçkar mountains. Runners will traverse shepherd’s trails, taking in small villages and their traditional rustic wooden houses, mountain lakes and valleys plus lush wildflowers.
Race Director, Cem Adabük said, “It is a privilege to have such a beautiful landscape as a backdrop for a race, the feeling of untamed mountain scenery is impressive and the warm welcome from the locals is second to none!”
Race distances of 100K, 50K and 20K are on offer, ensuring there is a race distance and experience for everyone. With its traditional Turkish culture, local hospitality, and attractions such as the natural hot springs, the region also doubles up as the perfect holiday destination before or after the event.
With a fast growing trail running community in the area, Kaçkar by UTMB opens up the circuit to runners from Eastern Europe and Western Asia and from further afield, as the only event geographically positioned between China and Croatia on the UTMB World Series map. One of the first events after the UTMB World Series Finals, it offers a great opportunity for runners looking to kick off the new season in style and secure Running Stones as entry into the lottery to participate in the 2026 UTMB World Series Finals.
UTMB® World Series 2024-2025 calendar (as of August 21, 2024)
- Tarawera Ultra-Trail™ by UTMB®, New Zealand (17-18 February 2024)
- Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB®, Italy (22-24 March 2024)
- Istria 100™ by UTMB®, Croatia (4-7 April 2024)
- Desert RATS Trail Running Festival™ by UTMB®, USA (13-14 April 2024)
- Ultra Trail Mount Yun by UTMB®, China (19-21 April 2024)
- HOKA Canyons Endurance Runs™ by UTMB®, UTMB World Series Americas Major, USA (26-27 April 2024)
- Amazean Jungle Thailand by UTMB®, Thailand (3-5 May 2024)
- Valhöll Argentina by UTMB®, Argentina (9-12 May 2024)
- Ultra-Trail Snowdonia by UTMB®, UK (10-12 May 2024)
- Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB®, France (17-20 May 2024)
- Ultra-Trail Australia™ by UTMB®, Australia (16-19 May 2024)
- Mountain Ultra Trail™ by UTMB®, South Africa (24-26 May 2024)
- mozart 100™ by UTMB®, Austria (1 June 2024)
- Tenerife Bluetrail by UTMB®, Spain (6-8 June 2024)
- Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB®, France (14-16 June 2024)
- Trail 100 Andorra™ by UTMB®, Andorra (14-16 June 2024)
- Mauritius by UTMB®, Mauritius (22-23 June 2024)
- La Sportiva® Lavaredo Ultra Trail® by UTMB®, Italy (26-30 June 2024)
- Western States™ 100 Endurance Run, USA (29 June 2024)
- HOKA Val d'Aran by UTMB®, UTMB World Series European Major, Spain (3-7 July 2024)
- Restonica Trail by UTMB®, France (4-6 July 2024)
- Trail Verbier St-Bernard by UTMB®, Switzerland (5-7 July 2024)
- Eiger Ultra-Trail™ by UTMB®, Switzerland (17-21 July 2024)
- Speedgoat™ Mountain Races by UTMB®, USA (19-20 July 2024)
- KAT100™ by UTMB®, Austria (1-3 August 2024)
- Quito Trail by UTMB®, Ecuador (2-4 August 2024)
- HOKA UTMB® Mont-Blanc, France, Italy, Switzerland (26 August-1 September 2024), UTMB World Series Finals
- Wildstrubel by UTMB®, Switzerland (12-15 September 2024)
- Paraty Brazil by UTMB®, Brazil (19-22 September 2024)
- Grindstone Trail Running Festival™ by UTMB®, USA (20-22 September 2024)
- Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB®, Slovenia (20-22 September 2024)
- Ultra Trail Whistler™ by UTMB®, Canada (28-29 September 2024)
- Nice Côte d'Azur by UTMB®, France (3-6 October 2024)
- Kodiak Ultra Marathons™ by UTMB®, USA (11-12 October 2024)
- TransJeju by UTMB®, South Korea (12-13 October 2024)
- Ultra-Trail Ninghai by UTMB®, China (17-20 October 2024)
- Kullamannen™ by UTMB®, Sweden (1-2 November 2024)
- Mallorca by UTMB®, Spain (1-3 November 2024)
- Puerto Vallarta México by UTMB®, Mexico (7-9 November 2024)
- Translantau by UTMB®, Hong Kong (8-10 November 2024)
- Malaysia Ultra-Trail™ by UTMB®, Malaysia (15-17 November 2024)
- Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko™ by UTMB®, Australia (28-30 November 2024)
- HOKA Chiang Mai Thailand by UTMB®, UTMB World Series Asia-Pacific Major, Thailand (5-8 December 2024)
- Arc of Attrition by UTMB®, United Kingdom (24-26 January 2025)
- Valhöll Fin del Mundo by UTMB®, Argentina (18-22 March 2025)
- Quindío Trail Colombia by UTMB®, Colombia (2-4 May 2025)
- Kaga Spa Trail Endurance 100 by UTMB®, Japan (19-22 June 2025)
- Monte Rosa Walser Waeg by UTMB®, Italy (18-20 July 2025)
- Kaçkar by UTMB®, Türkiye (26-28 September 2025)
- Chihuahua by UTMB®, Mexico (2-4 October 2025)
Runners can view the full calendar of events and choose their adventures here.
