International Tarsus Half Marathon

Tarsus will bring road running into one of Türkiye’s oldest living cities on October 25, 2026, as the 18th International Tarsus Half Marathon welcomes runners to Mersin for a race day shaped by endurance, history, community, and southern energy. With a 21K Half Marathon and a 1.6K Public Run, the event will offer both a competitive distance for runners and an accessible city experience for wider participation.

Tarsus gives this race a rare sense of place. This is a city where layers of history are part of daily life, from St. Paul’s Well and the Historic Tarsus Houses to Cleopatra Gate, Makam Mosque, the Tomb of Prophet Daniel, Justinian Bridge, and Tarsus Waterfall. For athletes, that means the race weekend will carry more than pace and distance; it will move through a city where every street feels connected to an older story.

The weekend will also be a strong reason to discover Mersin’s local flavor. After the run, visitors can turn the day into a southern food route with tantuni (Mersin Style Spiced Beef & Lamb Street Food), cezerye (Mersin Style Caramelized Carrot & Nut Delicacy), sıkma (Hand-Rolled Village Flatbread Wrap), kerebiç (Turkish Pistachio & Walnut Stuffed Cookie with Herbal Cream), Anamur bananas, and the warm, generous table culture of the region. You do not need to be chasing a personal best to feel the pull of this race—because the International Tarsus Half Marathon will turn a historic city into a running weekend where ancient streets, local life, public participation, and Mersin’s unforgettable flavors meet at the same finish line.