Close
newsletters Newsletters
X Instagram Youtube

Global runners push limits as Alanya Ultra Trail names its winners

An athlete climbs a rugged mountain trail at sunrise using trekking poles, capturing the endurance challenge of the Taurus Mountains stage during Alanya Ultra Trail, Alanya, Türkiye. (Photo via Alanya Ultra Trail)
Photo
BigPhoto
An athlete climbs a rugged mountain trail at sunrise using trekking poles, capturing the endurance challenge of the Taurus Mountains stage during Alanya Ultra Trail, Alanya, Türkiye. (Photo via Alanya Ultra Trail)
March 30, 2026 11:48 AM GMT+03:00

The Alanya Ultra Trail brought together nearly a thousand athletes from 23 countries on March 28, delivering a high-intensity endurance race across Alanya’s coastal and mountainous terrain, where champions emerged across multiple categories after a day marked by demanding conditions and fierce competition.

Set against the backdrop of southern Türkiye’s Mediterranean coastline, the event stood out as a key international sports tourism gathering, combining nature, history, and endurance under its “Tradition to Trail” motto.

Runners surge forward at the start line beneath the “START!” arch during Alanya Ultra Trail, as hundreds of athletes set off from Cleopatra Beach, Alanya, Türkiye. (Photo via Alanya Ultra Trail)
Runners surge forward at the start line beneath the “START!” arch during Alanya Ultra Trail, as hundreds of athletes set off from Cleopatra Beach, Alanya, Türkiye. (Photo via Alanya Ultra Trail)

From coastline to mountains, a course that pushes limits

Starting from Cleopatra Beach, runners moved through landmarks such as Alanya Castle and the Red Tower before heading into forest paths and mountainous terrain. The course gradually climbed from sea level into the Taurus Mountains, offering a layered race experience that combined warm coastal conditions with technically demanding high-altitude sections.

The constantly changing terrain, including narrow trails, steep descents, and long climbs, forced athletes to adapt their pace while managing both physical endurance and mental resilience. As the race unfolded, high-altitude segments and technical transitions began to shape the outcome, separating leading groups early on.

A female athlete runs along the historic walls overlooking the Mediterranean, with Alanya’s iconic Red Tower in the background, highlighting the race’s blend of history and endurance, Alanya, Türkiye. (Photo via Alanya Ultra Trail)
A female athlete runs along the historic walls overlooking the Mediterranean, with Alanya’s iconic Red Tower in the background, highlighting the race’s blend of history and endurance, Alanya, Türkiye. (Photo via Alanya Ultra Trail)

Competition heats up as terrain reshapes the race

The race quickly picked up pace from the opening kilometers, with athletes forming groups that later broke apart during steep climbs. As runners pushed through the most demanding mountain sections, the decisive moments began to unfold.

Energy management and familiarity with the course stood out as key factors, while shifting weather conditions and terrain added another layer of difficulty as the day progressed. Support stations and spectator points helped lift morale, turning the race into both a physical test and a shared atmosphere of endurance.

A runner crosses the finish line on Cleopatra Beach after completing her race at Alanya Ultra Trail, marking the end of a demanding coastal-to-mountain course, Alanya, Türkiye. (Photo via Alanya Ultra Trail)
A runner crosses the finish line on Cleopatra Beach after completing her race at Alanya Ultra Trail, marking the end of a demanding coastal-to-mountain course, Alanya, Türkiye. (Photo via Alanya Ultra Trail)

Champions emerge across distances in tightly contested races

Winners were determined across five distances, each highlighting different levels of endurance and speed:

  • 68K race: Ezgi Aksedir claimed victory in the women’s category, while Mehmet Soyturk led the men’s field
  • 42K race: Dominika Stelmach secured first place among women, with Shyngys Baikashev finishing first in the men’s race
  • 27K race: Evgeniia Slinkina and Bogdan Kovalenko took top honors
  • 18K race: Merve Atilla and Dmitriy Hohlov finished first
  • 5K race: Dilara Tiryaki and Musab Kundakci claimed victories

Across categories, the results reflected a strong international field alongside prominent performances from athletes representing Türkiye.

Trail runners move through narrow stone paths and village routes, navigating technical terrain that defines the Alanya Ultra Trail course, Alanya, Türkiye. (Photo via Alanya Ultra Trail)
Trail runners move through narrow stone paths and village routes, navigating technical terrain that defines the Alanya Ultra Trail course, Alanya, Türkiye. (Photo via Alanya Ultra Trail)

More than a race, festival atmosphere takes over Alanya

Beyond competition, the event expanded into a two-day festival centered around the EXPO area at Cleopatra Beach, where visitors and participants gathered throughout the weekend.

With brand activations, live performances, and social spaces, the atmosphere brought together athletes, families, and spectators, blending sporting intensity with a broader lifestyle experience.

March 30, 2026 11:49 AM GMT+03:00
More From Türkiye Today