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The Cappadocia Desert Marathon, featuring 350 athletes from 25 countries, kicked off in Urgup, a district of Nevsehir. Licensed as the 'Marathon des Sables' and held in different countries since 1986, last year the race held in Cappadocia for the first time. This year, participating athletes gathered near Pancarlik Valley, close to the Urgup district, to take part in the challenging race.
After final preparations at the starting point set up at the valley’s entrance, the runners set off on the 25-kilometer route. The line includes some of the iconic landmarks such as Uc Guzeller, Devrent, Aktepe and the Goreme Open Air Museum.
Police and gendarmerie teams ensured security along the route, they closed traffic the from time to time on highways to ensure the runners to pass safely.
Athletes will spend the night in camp tents set up in the valley. Tomorrow, they will depart from the starting line at Kiliclar Valley at 6:00 AM and run on courses of 20, 40 and 60 kilometers through Kizilcukur and Zemi Valleys according to their categories, before returning again to Kiliclar Valley.
On June 26, the race will start again at Kiliclar Valley and finish at Ask Valley, culminating the multi-day event.
The marathon will conclude with an awards ceremony on June 27.
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