UTMB World Series Thrills in the Kaçkars

Rize Joins the Global Trail Running Map in 2025
From September 26–28, 2025, the rugged peaks of the Kaçkar Mountains will host one of the world’s most prestigious trail running events: the Ultra Trail Mont-Blanc (UTMB) World Series – Türkiye stage. 

Nearly 2,000 athletes will tackle 20, 50, and 100 km courses, traversing landscapes from the Ayder Plateau to the Fırtına Valley, where misty highlands meet crystal-clear alpine lakes.

New direct flights from Antalya and İzmir are set to make Rize more accessible than ever for international participants and spectators, amplifying the event’s global appeal and positioning the Black Sea region as a premier adventure tourism destination.