KAÇKAR 50K
An immersive adventure into the raw beauty of nature
Race Category
Running Stones
Finals Access
Distance
44 KM
Elevation Gain
3000 M+
Start Date
Saturday 12th September 2026
Race Start
Ayder Village - 08:00
Max Allowed Race Time
12 Hours 30 Minutes
KAÇKAR 50K
A challenge worthy of Kaçkar: powerful, wild, and unforgettable.
Covering 44 km with over 3,000 m of elevation gain, the Kaçkar 50K delivers all the raw mountain magic without pushing into the extreme demands of the 100K.
You’ll race through lush forests, climb above the clouds to Kemer Dağı, and pass Hazindak and Samistal Plateaus, where 300-year-old stone houses tell stories of resilience. The terrain is rugged, the air is crisp, and the beauty is disarming.
It’s a course that challenges every stride yet rewards every view, a perfect distance for strong and curious trail runners who want to feel Kaçkar’s untamed power without crossing into the edge of exhaustion.
LET'S DISCOVER KAÇKAR 50K
Hazindak
A wild section of primary forest — steep, narrow, raw, and full of river crossings. Fallen trees, deep moss, and a true “into the wild” feeling.
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Samistal
A remote stone-house plateau overlooking endless ridgelines. Historic shepherd trails and grassy slopes guide runners toward the high pass.
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Yukarı Kavrun
A wide mountain basin marking the entrance toward Mezovit. Open, airy, and framed by the Kaçkar giants — a deep breath before the serious climbs begin.
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Lakes Area
High-altitude lakes at nearly 2900m open the gateway to the Ceymakcur Valley. Steep technical terrain mixed with runnable alpine paths and dramatic views.
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Yukarı Çeymakçur
A secluded valley carved by ancient stone trails. Mossy forests, rushing water, and rugged terrain leading to a demanding uphill toward Palakcur.
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Palakçur
A tiny mountain village facing the great peak of Sele — peaceful but followed by a steep grassy climb that wakes up the legs.
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Galer
The lowest settlement after Ayder — a meadow plain known as the Bull Fight Arena. Cobbled paths turn into smooth tarmac as runners drop back toward Ayder.
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| EQUIPMENT / COURSE | 50K | |
|---|---|---|
Clothing and Footwear:
|
| | |
| 1 | Closed trail running shoes with tread outsole | X |
| 2 | Running backpack (or for 20K - running belt) with mandatory equipment | X |
| 3 | Fully functioning headlamp and external batteries | 1 |
| 4 | Cap, bandana or buff | X |
| 5 | Waterproof jacket with hood | X |
| 6 | Warm second layer | X |
| 7 | Long-legged trousers or race leggings or a combination of leggings and long socks to cover the legs completely | X |
| 8 | Sunglasses | X |
| 9 | Trail Running Crampons/Snowchains | O |
| 10 | Warm and water-proof gloves *regular cotton gloves + a surgery glove over it to make it waterproof | X |
Equipment:
|
| | |
| 11 | Health report or athlete licence | X |
| 12 | ID - Passport / ID card | X |
| 13 | GPS Tracker ** | X |
| 14 | Smartphone with international roaming and LiveTrail app downloaded (switched on and airplane mode turned off) | X |
| 15 | Reusable cup (150 ml minimum) for drink | X |
| 16 | Reusable plate or bowl and cutlery (Bring Your Own Utensils - BYOU) | X |
| 17 | Capacity to carry a minimum 1 litres of fluids | X *1.5L recommended |
Emergency:
|
| | |
| 18 | Survival blanket (min 1.4m x 2m) | X |
| 19 | Whistle | X |
| 20 | Elastic Tape and Bandage (min 100x6cm) | X |
| 21 | Food reserve (800 kcal) | X |
**:Included in the registration fee
X: Mandatory equipment (must be carried at all times
O: Non-mandatory equipment
SEPTEMBER 11, 2026
| 10:00-20:00 | Kit Distribution |
| 10:00-20:00 | Kaçkar Village - EXPO |
| 15:00-16:00 | Race Briefing (main stage) |
| 16:00-17:00 | Opening Ceremony & Elite Athlete Presentation |
SEPTEMBER 12, 2026
| 04:00 | START - Kaçkar 100K |
| 06:00-07:00 | Kit Distribution - Kaçkar 50K |
| 08:00 | START - Kaçkar 50K |
| 07:30-9:00 | Kit Distribution - Kaçkar 20K |
| 06:00-19:00 | Kaçkar Village - EXPO |
| 10:00 | START - Kaçkar 20K |
| 16:00 | Cut Off - Kaçkar 20K |
| 20:00 | Cut Off - Kaçkar 50K |
| 04:00 (Sunday) | Cut Off - Kaçkar 100K |
SEPTEMBER 13, 2026
| 09:00-13:00 | Kaçkar Village - EXPO |
| 10:00-12:00 | Award Ceremony | 12:00-13:00 | Closing Ceremony |