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The 12th edition of the Corendon Tahtali Run to Sky concluded in the Mediterranean district of Kemer in Antalya, bringing together 530 athletes from 14 countries for a demanding mountain race stretching from sea level to the 2,365-meter summit of Tahtali Mountain.
Held between May 8 and 10, the event played out across routes weaving through the coastal landscapes, forests and ancient sites of the region, while high temperatures added to the challenge for runners throughout the competition.
Participants from countries including Germany, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Britain, Estonia, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia and Switzerland joined Turkish athletes in what organizers framed as a race blending endurance, history and nature.
The race opened with a symbolic ceremony in Cirali, where Kemer District Governor Ahmet Solmaz lit a torch representing the Olympic flame ahead of the start. Organizers linked the moment to Olympos, a site traditionally associated with the origins of the ancient Olympic fire.
The torch remained lit along sections of the route, adding a symbolic connection between the region’s historical legacy and the endurance challenge faced by runners.
Athletes competed in three categories, each offering a different level of difficulty and terrain.
In the flagship Run to Sky 27K race, which climbs from Cirali beach to the summit of Tahtali Mountain, Poland’s Dominika Stelmach won the women’s category with a time of 3:50:39, while Michael Dimuantes finished first in the men’s race in 3:12:49.
The 41-kilometer Phaselis Run, held for the second time this year and passing near the ancient city of Phaselis, saw Olga Fedeneva take first place in the women’s category with 5:10:15. Konstantin Ivanov topped the men’s standings with a finishing time of 3:34:23.
Meanwhile, the shorter KemeRun 12K, extending from central Kemer to Calistepe, was won by Anna Aleshkina in the women’s category in 1:07:19, while Hizir Deniz Demirleng secured first place among men in 58:38.
The routes took runners through landscapes tied to the ancient Lycian civilization, including the legendary Yanartas site, known internationally as the “eternal flames” for its naturally burning fires that have continued for centuries.
As athletes moved from Mediterranean coastal stretches into forested mountain terrain, the event combined physical endurance with locations shaped by regional mythology and archaeology.
An awards ceremony later took place at Kemer Olbia Park, where top finishers received trophies following the completion of the races.
Beyond the competition itself, the three-day event also featured concerts, DJ performances, outdoor activities and Mother’s Day-themed programs.
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