Do you love running? Well, welcome to our page of running events in Turkey.
Whether you live here, are travelling around Turkey, or you want to time a holiday so that you can also take part in a running event, we thought we’d bring some of the regular events together all in one place.
Running is a fast-growing pastime in Turkey and we love being part of the running fraternity.
Some of these running events, we attend regularly.
We’ve only taken part in road races so far but we’re also pondering dipping our toes into the world of trail running.
So we’ve included some of the main trail running events and ultra marathons in Turkey, too.
Unlike in some countries, whilst registrations for running events in Turkey do fill up, there are no events that require ballot entry.
You should be able to register up to a few days before for most events.
And some also have late registration on the day if the quota isn’t full or there are cancellations.
About Our Running Events In Turkey Page
Some of the running events in Turkey are larger and well established.
Not surprisingly, the Istanbul Marathon is the largest road race. The marathon is an IAAF Gold Label event.
Others are recent additions to the Turkish road races calendar and are smaller and more low key.
We love the smaller running events just as much as the larger get togethers.
For trail running and ultra marathons in Turkey, a lot of the more established events are part of the ITRA (the International Trail Running Association).
This country is packed with national parks featuring rivers, canyons, rolling hills and colossal mountain ranges making trail running in Turkey a real draw (for those that are that way inclined).
It’s All Turkish To Me – Some Key Words & Phrases
One of the main running event hosts is Alivex.
If you register for a race with Alivex or Hurra, there are English language options when you get to the payment and registration pages. So don’t be put off.
But here are a few key words and phrases to look out for on websites if there is no English language option:
- Kayıtlar başladı / açılmış – Registration is open
- Kayıt ol – Register
- Koşu – Run
- Maraton / Yarı Maraton – Marathon / Half marathon
- Parkur – Race routes / distances
- Yarış – Race
- Yarış bilgileri / Bilgiler – Race information
Disclaimer
- We have put this page of ultras, trail runs, road races and marathons in Turkey as a general guide. If you want to take part in any of the running events, it is obviously your own responsibility to keep yourself up to date with race information, registration and rules.
- This is purely a page for your information. We are not working with any of the event organisers. So we will not receive any commission if you choose to register for a race via one of the links below. We simply enjoy running.
- We have linked to race websites (English language sections) or Facebook / Instagram accounts where possible.
- We will keep this page as up to date as possible. For some 2025 running events, dates are yet to be confirmed. These are marked with ‘tbc.’ We will add the dates as soon as we know them.
- Just a tip: Many running events in Turkey don’t necessarily take place on the same date, week – or even month – every year. If you are thinking of travelling to Turkey specifically to take part in a race, don’t book anything until the dates are confirmed.
January Running Events
January – Road Races
| Adana Kurtuluş Yarı Maratonu | |
|---|---|
| When: | 5th January 2025 |
| Where: | Adana |
| Distances: | Half Marathon, 10k, People’s Fun Run |
| Further Info: | Alivex |
February Running Events
February – Road Races
| Trabzon Yarı Maratonu | |
|---|---|
| When: | 23rd February 2025 |
| Where: | Trabzon (Eastern Black Sea) |
| Distances: | Half Marathon, 10k, 4k Fun Run, 1k Children’s Run |
| Further Info: |
February – Ultra Marathons & Trail Runs
We love Bodrum!
| Bodrun Ultra Marathon | |
|---|---|
| When: | 14th-15th February 2025 |
| Where: | Bodrum |
| Distances: | 60k, 34k, 22k,10k, 5k |
| Further Info: |
| St. Paul Trail Run | |
|---|---|
| When: | tbc |
| Where: | Manavgat, Antalya Province |
| Distances: | 53k, 24k, 16k |
| Further Info: | Official website |
For the St. Paul Trail Run, Manavgat, in the Antalya Province, is famous for its waterfalls as well as Köprülü Canyon where the event takes place.
You could also visit nearby Side and take in the ancient ruins.
March Running Events
NB: For 2025, most of the usual March running events have been moved back to the month of April. This is because the holy month of Ramadan will be in March, this year.
Runtalya running events take place over the first Saturday and Sunday of March (first weekend in April for 2025).
The marathon, half marathon, 10k and 5k take place on the Sunday.
There’s lots to see and do in Antalya including exploring the old city of Kaleiçi and wandering Karaalioğlu Park.
The 10k route goes through both of these areas.
March – Road Races
| Runtalya | |
|---|---|
| When: | 6th April 2025 |
| Where: | Antalya |
| Distances: | Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k, 5k Fun Run |
| Further Info: | Facebook Page |
| Alanya Atatürk Yarı Maratonu | |
|---|---|
| When: | 13th April 2025 |
| Where: | Alanya |
| Distances: | Half Marathon, 5k Fun Run, 2k Fun Run |
| Further Info: | Facebook Page |
March – Ultra Marathons & Trail Runs
| Ephesus Ultra Marathon | |
|---|---|
| When: | 4th-6th April 2025 |
| Where: | Selçuk & Şirince |
| Distances: | 120k, 61k, 42k, 27k, 12k, 6k |
| Further Info: | Official website |
Your perfect opportunity to explore the ancient ruins of Ephesus as well as the pretty town of Selçuk and village of Şirince.
April Running Events
April – Road Races
| Maraton Izmir | |
|---|---|
| When: | 13th April 2025 |
| Where: | Izmir |
| Distances: | Marathon, 10k |
| Further Info: | Official race website |
| Istanbul Yarı Maratonu | |
|---|---|
| When: | 27th April 2025 |
| Where: | Istanbul |
| Distances: | Half Marathon, 10k |
| Further Info: | The Istanbul Half Marathon is an IAAF Gold Label Event. Official website in English. |
April – Ultra Marathons & Trail Runs
As you might expect, the Babadağ Ultra takes in the scenery of Babadağ – the area’s highest mountain – and most distances begin along the beach at Ölüdeniz.
| Babadağ UltraTrail | |
|---|---|
| When: | 26th-27th April 2025 |
| Where: | Fethiye |
| Distances: | 60k, 24k, 15k, 14k, 5k |
| Further Info: | Official race website |
| Iznik Ultra | |
|---|---|
| When: | tbc |
| Where: | Iznik |
| Distances: | 160k, 90k, 55k, 35k, 25k, 14k, 5k City Run, Kids’ Run |
| Further Info: | Official website in English. |
May Running Events
May – Road Races
| Çeşme Marathon | |
|---|---|
| When: | 11th May 2025 |
| Where: | Çeşme |
| Distances: | Marathon,Half Marathon, 10k |
| Further Info: | Official Website (English) |
| Cadde 10k-21k | |
|---|---|
| When: | 25th May 2025 |
| Where: | Kadıköy, Istanbul |
| Distances: | Half Marathon, 10k, Children’s Run |
| Further Info: | Official website |
| Giresun Yarı Maratonu | |
|---|---|
| When: | 25th May 2025 |
| Where: | Giresun (Black Sea Region) |
| Distances: | Half Marathon, 10k |
| Further Info: | Official Website (Turkish) |
| Manisa Yarı Maratonu | |
|---|---|
| When: | tbc |
| Where: | Manisa |
| Distances: | Half Marathon, 10k, Children’s Run |
| Further Info: | Official Website (English) |
May – Ultra Marathons & Trail Runs
| Tahtalı Run To Sky | |
|---|---|
| When: | 9th-10th May 2025 |
| Where: | Kemer, Antalya Province |
| Distances: | 65k, 27k, 12k |
| Further Info: | Official website, English language |
| Kyzikos Ultra Maratonu | |
|---|---|
| When: | 17th May 2025 |
| Where: | Balıkesir |
| Distances: | 65k, 35k, 20k, 5k |
| Further Info: | Official website (Turkish) |
| Dağyenice Ultra Trail | |
|---|---|
| When: | tbc |
| Where: | Bursa |
| Distances: | 100k, 61k, 33k, 15k, 6k |
| Further Info: | Official website. (No English language option) |
June Running Events
June – Road Races
| Avşa Yarı Maratonu | |
|---|---|
| When: | 1st June 2025 |
| Where: | Avşa Adası (Balıkesir) |
| Distances: | Half Marathon, 12k, 5k |
| Further Info: | Instagram Page |
June – Ultra Marathons & Trail Runs
| Kaçkar Ultra Marathon | |
|---|---|
| When: | tbc |
| Where: | Kaçkar Mountains (Eastern Black Sea) |
| Distances: | 55k, 15k |
| Further Info: | Facebook Page |
July Running Events
July – Ultra Marathons & Trail Runs
| Uludağ Premium Ultra Trail | |
|---|---|
| When: | 18th-20th July 2025 |
| Where: | Bursa |
| Distances: | 100k, 66k, 42k, 30k, 16k, 6k |
| Further Info: | Official website (in English) |
| Sky Erciyes Ultra Trail | |
|---|---|
| When: | tbc |
| Where: | Kayseri – Erciyes Ski Centre |
| Distances: | VK (vertical kilometre race to 3350m elevation), 64, 45k, 25k, 12k |
| Further Info: | Official Website (English) |
Lots to see and do, whichever of these ultras you choose.
Kayseri is close to Cappadocia whilst Bursa is packed with famous sights and is the birthplace of the Ottomans and the tasty Iskender Kebab.
August Running Events
August – Road Races
| Eskişehir Yarı Maratonu | |
|---|---|
| When: | tbc |
| Where: | Eskişehir |
| Distances: | Half Marathon, 10k, Paralympic, Children’s Run |
| Further Info: | Facebook Page |
As well as taking part in the running events, there’s lots to keep you occupied in Eskişehir.
Explore Odunpazarı, the old city; indulge in famous çiğbörek; enjoy the student vibe in the bars and eateries; stroll along the Porsuk River; the list goes on.
August – Ultra Marathons & Trail Runs
| Runfire Salt Lake Ultra Trail | |
|---|---|
| When: | tbc |
| Where: | Tuz Gölü, Konya Province |
| Distances: | 100 miles, 80k, 40k, 20k, 10k |
| Further Info: | Official website in English |
September Running Events
September – Road Races
| Ayvalık Half Marathon | |
|---|---|
| When: | 13th September 2025 |
| Where: | Ayvalık |
| Distances: | Half Marathon, 10k, 5k |
| Further Info: | Instagram Page |
| Kayseri Yarı Maratonu | |
|---|---|
| When: | tbc |
| Where: | Kayseri |
| Distances: | Half Marathon, 10k |
| Further Info: | Official Website (Turkish) |
| Gelibolu Maratonu | |
|---|---|
| When: | tbc |
| Where: | Gallipoli |
| Distances: | Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k, Family Run |
| Further Info: | Facebook Page |
September – Ultra Marathons & Trail Runs
| Lycian Way Ultra Marathon | |
|---|---|
| When: | tbc |
| Where: | Lycian coast of the Antalya Province |
| Distances: | 100k, 57k, 37k, 20k |
| Further Info: | Lycian Way Ultra Marathon on Instagram |
If the Lycian Way Ultra Marathon is your thing, this area of the Antalya Province is also perfect for exploring sites such as Phaselis and Olympos.
October Running Events
October – Road Races
| Bodrum Yarı Maratonu | |
|---|---|
| When: | 5th October 2025 |
| Where: | Bodrum |
| Distances: | Half Marathon, 10k, 5k |
| Further Info: | Facebook Page |
| Büyükada Koşusu | |
|---|---|
| When: | 19th October 2025 |
| Where: | Istanbul (Büyükada, Princes Islands) |
| Distances: | Half Marathon, 10k, 5k |
| Further Info: | Official race website |
| Runkara | |
|---|---|
| When: | tbc |
| Where: | Ankara |
| Distances: | Half Marathon, 10.4k, 4.2k, Family Run |
| Further Info: | Instagram Page |
| Yaşam İçin Yarış (Race For Life) | |
|---|---|
| When: | tbc |
| Where: | Fethiye |
| Distances: | 5k |
| Further Info: | Facebook Group |
| Gökova Yarı Maratonu | |
|---|---|
| When: | tbc |
| Where: | Gökova |
| Distances: | Half Marathon, 10k, 5k, 2x5k Couples Lap |
| Further Info: | Official race website |
Early and late season are perfect times to visit Bodrum if you like life to be a little slower and quieter – after the running event, that is.
Yaşam İçin Yarış raises money for cancer care in the Fethiye area.
Run or walk 5k along Fethiye harbour and check out which restaurants you might want to eat at later, en route.
The turning point is just after Denizatı Restaurant.
The Gökova running event was a brand new addition to the running calendar for 2022 and it looks like it’s going to be a regular.
Home to the picture postcard pretty town of Akyaka, this is perfect running scenery.
October – Ultra Marathons & Trail Runs
| Cappadocia Ultra Trail | |
|---|---|
| When: | 17th-19th October 2025 |
| Where: | Ürgüp, Cappadocia |
| Distances: | 119k, 63k, 38k |
| Further Info: | Official website in English |
| Eker I Run | |
|---|---|
| When: | tbc |
| Where: | Uludağ, Bursa |
| Distances: | 2k Kids’ Race, 5k, 15k, 42k |
| Further Info: | Official website in English |
November Running Events
November – Road Races
| Istanbul Maratonu | |
|---|---|
| When: | 2nd November 2025 |
| Where: | Istanbul |
| Distances: | Marathon, 15k, 8k People’s Fun Run |
| Further Info: | Facebook Page |
When it comes to marathons in Turkey, the Istanbul Marathon is the country’s flagship event.
Whichever distance you choose, you will start the race in Asia and finish in Europe – the only marathon event that takes place over two continents.
You can see photos of the 10k route of the Istanbul Marathon event.
There is no longer a 10k option but the first 10 kilometres of the 15k and the marathon follow the same route.
Obviously, there is much to see and do in Istanbul.
This is the city of the magnificent Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace…we won’t go on.
Everyone should visit Istanbul as far as we’re concerned.
November – Ultra Marathons & Trail Runs
If stupendous mountain scenery floats your boat whilst you’re taking part in Ultra events, you can also combine this scenery with Sagalassos ancient ruins at the Sagalassos Sky Ultra.
| Marmaris Ultra Trail | |
|---|---|
| When: | 14th-16th November 2025 |
| Where: | Marmaris |
| Distances: | 76k, 48k, 30k, 16k, 5k |
| Further Info: | Official race website |
| Sagalassos Sky Ultra | |
|---|---|
| When: | tbc |
| Where: | Ağlasun |
| Distances: | 42k, 27k, 15k |
| Further Info: | Official race website |
More famous as a summer nightlife town, Marmaris has some stunning scenery and is perfect for trail running.
December Running Events
December – Road Races
| Uluslararası Mersin Maratonu | |
|---|---|
| When: | tbc |
| Where: | Mersin |
| Distances: | Marathon, 10k, Fun Run |
| Further Info: | Website (English) |
| Gazi Yarı Maratonu | |
|---|---|
| When: | tbc |
| Where: | Gaziantep |
| Distances: | Half Marathon, 5k People’s Fun Run |
| Further Info: |
December – Ultra Marathons & Trail Runs
| Antalya Ultra | |
|---|---|
| When: | 26th-28th December 2025 |
| Where: | Antalya |
| Distances: | 85k, 57k, 31k, 22k,12k, 5k |
| Further Info: | Official website |
| Ida Ultra Marathon | |
|---|---|
| When: | tbc |
| Where: | Ida Mountains National Park |
| Distances: | Ida Ultra 114k, Ida Half Ultra 66k, 36k, 15k Village Run |
| Further Info: | Official website (English) |
| Fethiye Ultra Trail | |
|---|---|
| When: | tbc |
| Where: | Fethiye |
| Distances: | 50k, 25k, 10k |
| Further Info: | Official website in English. |
The Fethiye Ultra obviously takes place in our hometown.
In 2024, the race started in Şehit Fethi Bey Parkı. A great attraction in the town.
The 10k route headed along the harbour and Karagözler, whilst the 25k took runners around the Fethiye peninsula.
Brave 50k runners headed up the forest track towards Kayaköy before turning off towards Ovacık and returning to base.
And of course, there are lots of things to see and do in Fethiye!
Further Running Events In Turkey
This list is not intended as a list of every running event in Turkey.
There are regular, smaller events that take place around Istanbul, for example.
Follow the Spor Istanbul Facebook page for some event notifications.
Because road races and trail running is a growing sport in Turkey, some towns and cities will host a running event just to test the water.
These can be a one off and then they disappear from the running calendar.
When you register for some running events, you will receive future emails about other upcoming races in Turkey that are also run by the same events company.
This makes life easier if you want to take part in future events.