Cappodocia Ultra Trail is the most beautiful trail race in Goreme National Park in Turkey. The park is located in the Cappodocia region, many associate this place with balloons and caves. By the way, the national Park is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a natural monument.
The race is very well organized. Rich starter pack with a T-shirt. You can eat for free at the buffet in the evening before the start and after the finish. In addition to the medal, all finishers are given a branded jacket of very good quality. At the same time, the race has a small entry fee by the standards of Russian trail racing - 80 euros (6,800 rubles) and can be taken cheaper if you register in advance.
Start line is located in the small town of Urgup, so the concentration of runners was very large. There was a feeling that most of the locals knew about the race and somehow participated in the organization or supported the runners. I was very warmly welcomed in all restaurants, shops and on the street when people seeing that I was a runner. The atmosphere is very cool, festive.
I ran 64 km with a climb of 2000 meters. There are also 2 distances: 38 km with a climb of 1100 meters and 119 km with a climb of 3700 meters.
The track is not technically. Without fords and mud. The coating is almost everywhere solid: soil and volcanic tuff (a local landmark). There is very little asphalt and paving stones, only in towns and villages. The marking of the route is very good, it is almost impossible to get lost.
There were 5 food points at my distance. Everyone has a lot of fruits and snacks, delicious mineral water in small glass bottles. There was hot soup at some points.
I want to come back here already at a distance of 120 km.
cappadociaultratrail.com
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