There’s always a few gaps on our annual Asia Trail Master calendar, especially in spring, and that’s always a good opportunity to look beyond Asia for a moment. On 28 March 2020, the 2nd edition of Alanya Ultra Trail in Turkey takes place and it comes highly recommended!

The team of Koray Argeus Travel and Events have already brought us Cappadocia and Alanya on the southern coast of the big country is its latest gem. Alanya is approx 140km away from better known beach holiday city Antalya and is therefore quite easy to reach from various international destinations. Alanya Ultra Trail combines sport with culture and history. As the official website reads, it is a run from tradition to future: “On the trail of the yuruks, to the peak of the Taurus”. It is argued that the Yuruks and Ultra Trail Runners have a lot of similarities.

The word yuruk means ‘good walking, fast traveller, strong, fighter'. Ultra-trail runners also have many of the features expressed by the word ‘yuruk'.

Yuruks have lived as nomads for centuries by moving from place to place. The material they need to sustain their daily lives is as much as a few draught animals can carry. Although their goal is to find grassland for their animals and continue their lives, they have a free and athletic lifestyle. In this respect, Yuruks and ultra-trail runners have similar characteristics. Ultra-trail runners carry their equipment and food with themselves for hours during the race. Ultra-trail runners are also free-spirited people who love nature, who enjoy pushing their limits. The event organisers are building a link between the lifestyles of Yuruks and the life philosophy of ultra-trail runners. Referring to this traditional way of life, we follow the hard but joyful journey of the migration routes, trails and historical caravan routes to the ‘peak of the Taurus’ on the trail of Yuruks.

The events offers four race categories: the longest is 72 km Alanya Ultra Trail with 3700 hm, then there is the 48 km long Taurus Mountain Marathon with 2600 hm, 28 km long Keykubat Mountain Run and 15K Alaiye course.

Alanya is one of the rare places where 4 seasons can be experienced in 1 day. Especially in spring, you can enjoy the sea and sunbathe on the beaches of Alanya, as well as skiing in Taurus. Participants should therefore come prepared for all conditions,

Koray always takes great care of logistics. For this event they offer hotels on the sea front within walking distance to the race hq and start/finish line with open buffet breakfast and dinner included with 4-5 stars or boutique category with very reasonable special prices. You can view the hotels from here.

Registration fees are way below standard European event prices and includes open buffet welcome dinner on evening, race t-shirt, finisher medal, very rich checkpoints and medical & rescue support during the race. Please find the links for the photos and videos from last year below.

If you decide to register for Alanya Ultra on 28 March, make sure you make a reference to Asia Trail Master :-).

Online registration for Alanya Ultra