2026 MDS Cappadocia

Cappadocia will host one of the world’s most distinctive endurance experiences on June 13–20, 2026, as the 3rd edition of MDS Cappadocia brings the spirit of Marathon des Sables to Türkiye’s volcanic wonderland. Over three stages, runners will take on 70K, 100K, or 120K routes while remaining self-sufficient for food—a true test of planning, resilience, and mental strength.

This will not be the classic Sahara version of MDS. Cappadocia will offer its own kind of challenge: smooth trails instead of sand, warm but manageable daytime conditions, technical rhythm, and a landscape that feels almost unreal. The race will move through valleys shaped by volcanic history, including the iconic Rose Valley, where the colors of the rocks change with the light and every climb feels connected to the land.

The final moments will carry the kind of scenery only Cappadocia can give. Sunrise skies, hundreds of hot air balloons, fairy chimneys, cave settlements, and wide Central Anatolian horizons will turn the race into more than an endurance event. Between stages and after the finish, visitors can explore Göreme, Ürgüp, Uçhisar, Avanos, underground cities, local pottery culture, and the region’s signature flavor: testi kebab (Pottery Kebab). Even if you are not running, you will still want to be here—because MDS Cappadocia turns endurance into a journey through stone, sky, silence, and one of Türkiye’s most unforgettable landscapes.