WHAT'S NEW IN 2026?

New for Kaçkar by UTMB 2026, Ayder 4K is a non-competitive trail experience designed for everyone who wants to discover the mountains, enjoy the outdoors, and become part of the Kaçkar by UTMB atmosphere.

Whether you're taking your very first steps on a trail, looking for a relaxed outdoor activity, or simply want to experience the excitement of race weekend, Ayder 4K offers an accessible introduction to trail running in one of Türkiye's most spectacular mountain landscapes.

No previous trail running experience is required. Run. Walk. Explore. At your own pace, surrounded by the natural beauty of Ayder and the energy of the Kaçkar by UTMB community.

Taking place on 12 September 2026, alongside the 100K, 50K, and 20K races, Ayder 4K is part of the official Kaçkar by UTMB race weekend, giving participants the opportunity to experience the unique atmosphere of a UTMB World Series event.

The major update is the change of dates. The race will now take place on September 11-13.

We’ve made this shift to give ourselves a better window for more favorable weather out on the trails.

With the new dates, we’re creating better conditions for Kaçkar 100K and working towards a smoother experience across all distances.

To help our participants arrive calm, prepared, and ready to race, we’ve introduced travel packages designed around Kaçkar by UTMB race week.

From the moment runners land until you reach the start line, every detail is planned in sync with the event and handled by experienced local travel experts who know the region and the race.

What’s included:

• Accommodation options

• Airport transfers

• Shuttle services between key locations

Choose what fits the journey:

• Single, double, and family packages

• Hotels and bungalows

• Comfort, premium, and luxury stay options

No logistics to solve. No last-minute stress. Just space to focus on what matters most.

After seeing how complicated and time-consuming external insurance claims could be, we created a simpler system - one that runners control themselves.

For Kaçkar 2026 registration, we added a new feature allowing registrants to be eligible for a full or partial refund: The Flexibility Fee.

The plans are now fully in the runners' hands.

With the Flexibility Fee, it is possible to manage cancellation directly, quickly, and without paperwork. No waiting, no back-and-forth, just a smooth and reliable way to adapt the plans whenever life changes.

The Flexibility Fee (€20) is an optional add-on that can be purchased only during registration.

If not purchased, no refunds of any kind will be available.

With the Flexibility Fee, runners may cancel their race entry directly through their MyUTMB account.

On March 8, 2026, Kaçkar by UTMB introduced RUN LIKE HER - a new journey celebrating women who find strength, clarity, and courage on the trail.

Since then, voices from different countries and cultures are sharing their stories - of early mornings, long climbs, doubt, determination, and quiet progress.

A new chapter unfolds on the last Friday of each month. RUN LIKE HER is an invitation: to see, to connect, and to inspire more women to take that first step into the mountains.

RUN LIKE HER is an open community where women follow the journey, share their stories, and become part of the movement.