Kaçkar by UTMB Press Conference
Türkiye Prepares for Its First UTMB World Series
Rize, Türkiye — September 2025. At the Ramada Rize Hotel, under a ceiling of anticipation, officials unveiled the details of Kaçkar by UTMB, Türkiye’s first-ever UTMB World Series race. From September 26–28, the Kaçkar Mountains will welcome 1,800 athletes from across the globe, turning the Black Sea highlands into a meeting point of endurance, culture, and connection.
Beyond a Race: Building a Destination
Hosted under the auspices of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, coordinated by the Rize Governorship, and supported by national and local institutions, the event was framed as far more than competition. Leaders described it as a milestone for Türkiye’s global presence in sport tourism and a new narrative for Rize, long known as a city of tea, now stepping into the world’s ultra-trail map.
Governor İhsan Selim Baydaş emphasized the strategic vision:
“Rize produces 70% of Türkiye’s tea. Choosing to also invest in sport tourism was a collective decision. Kaçkar by UTMB is not only a race—it is a cornerstone for our tourism future and a historic step to showcase the mountains and highlands through sport.”
The Governor confirmed that Rize, Çamlıhemşin, and Ayder will host UTMB stages annually through 2030, solidifying a long-term partnership between the region and the world’s most prestigious trail-running series.
The Global Trail Community Arrives
UTMB Group CEO Frédéric Lénart called the Kaçkars “a unique destination” that meets every requirement: epic landscapes, unforgettable athlete experience, and a sustainable future. He noted Türkiye’s rapid growth in trail running—“12% globally, 40% in Türkiye”—and praised the 32% female participation rate. He also announced €10,000 via UTMB Cares to support flood-affected communities.
“We see a strong and fast-growing running community in Türkiye. Our goal is not just to stage a race, but to help create a lasting sport ecosystem here,” said Lénart.
Local Voices, Shared Vision
From national leaders to municipal officials, the message was consistent: Kaçkar by UTMB is a cultural as well as athletic opportunity.
Ahmet Temurci, Director General for International Organizations and Foreign Relations at the Ministry of Youth and Sports: “This event is a powerful communication tool—it allows us to share our story with the world, not just as sport but as culture, nature, and hospitality.”
Rahmi Metin, Mayor of Rize: “Mountains and rain may seem like obstacles, but through events like this they become opportunities—chances for people to discover our nature, our gastronomy, and our way of life.”
Other speakers highlighted the careful preparations: from safety and communication systems to accommodation and transportation. The decision to cancel the 100K route due to avalanche risk was presented as a demonstration of prioritizing athlete safety.
The Event
With the motto “Wild is the Trail”, the Kaçkar by UTMB will stage 50K and 20K races starting from Ayder Plateau, carrying runners across historic highland routes and through landscapes shaped by glaciers, forests, and rivers. Supported by global sponsors including Hoka, Dacia, Suunto, and Turkcell, the race will spotlight Türkiye’s mountains to a worldwide audience.
Why It Matters
For Rize, the Kaçkar by UTMB is both a challenge and a chance. It will send images of ridgelines, rain-soaked trails, and cheering villages across the world, while bringing thousands of visitors to the Black Sea’s high valleys. It will leave behind more than results: a stronger identity for Rize as an adventure destination, a growing sport tourism ecosystem for Türkiye, and a new chapter in the global UTMB story.
Photos by @kackarbyutmb
Photos by @RizeVali
Photos: Source – Habertürk (haberturk.com)
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