Participation Terms and Rules
1. General Information
The Efeler Yolu Ultra-Trail®, starting from the Bornova district of İzmir, crosses Nif Mountain and the Bozdağ mountain range, circles the plateaus of Kiraz, and continues over the Aydın mountain range to finish at the Virgin Mary site in Ephesus-Selçuk. It is an approximately 5 km long ultra-trail run with an elevation gain exceeding 100+ m.
The race will start on May 25, 2025, at 10:00 from Birgi city center. Participants must complete the course within 2 hours based on the principle of partial self-sufficiency, meaning that they need to carry the necessary equipment to safely continue in varying natural conditions.
2. Participation Requirements
The race is open to everyone over 18 years old. Participants must have a valid health certificate or an athlete license approved by Athletics, Triathlon, Mountaineering, Orienteering, or Cycling Federations, obtained within the last year before the event date, indicating no medical restrictions for running. These documents must be submitted to the organization before the race. Runners should be in athletic condition and wear clothing suitable for different weather and natural conditions.
3. Registration
a) Registration Method
Only registered runners can participate in the race. Registrations will be conducted through the website efeleryoluultratrail.com. The registration deadline is May 19, 2025, at 17:00.
The deadline for course changes is May 19, 2025, at 17:00. Transferring to a course that has reached its participant limit is not allowed.
The maximum number of participants is limited to 500. Registrations will close once this limit is reached, even before the final registration date.
Each registration is personal. Transfer of registration or having someone else run in place of a registered participant is not allowed.
b) Registration Fee
Registration fees are as follows:
- - Priced according to 3 different payment periods.
- - For payments made between December 1, 2024, and January 31, 2025, at 23:59, the registration fee is 850 TL.
- - For payments made between February 1, 2025, and March 15, 2025, at 23:59, the registration fee is 950 TL.
- - For payments made between March 16, 2025, and May 19, 2025, at 23:59, the registration fee is 1050 TL.
- - All fees are refundable. The deadline for cancellation and refund requests is May 1, 2025, at 23:59.
- - Registration fees for student participants born in or after 2001 are discounted by 50%. Students who send their student certificates via email before registration will be provided with a discount code.
To participate, the registration fee must be paid during registration by Visa or MasterCard credit card or bank transfer. Participants who have paid the registration fee will be considered in the final participant list. The organization reserves the right to offer discounts under certain conditions or adjust pre-announced prices due to increases in fees, taxes, etc.
The registration fee covers the following:
- - Bib number
- - Timekeeping
- - Running t-shirt
- - Food/drink support and First Aid at checkpoints
- - Pre-race pasta party (Opening Meal)
- - Post-race meal
- - Finisher vest for participants who successfully complete the race
- - Finisher medal for participants who successfully complete the race
Supporters, family, or others who wish to join the Opening Meal on May 24, 2025, from 19:00 to 22:00, can purchase a pasta party ticket at the race kit collection point.
c) Registration Cancellation and Refund
All fees are refundable. The deadline for cancellation and refund requests is May 1, 2025, at 23:59. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made after this date.
Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to [email protected].
Refunds will be issued in the same method as the original payment. If payment was made by bank transfer, the refund will be sent to the same bank account. If payment was made by credit card, the refund will be issued to the same credit card.
No refunds will be issued if the race is halted or canceled due to bad weather, force majeure, or other reasons beyond the control of the organization.
4. Race Kit Collection
Participants must collect their race kits, including bib numbers and other materials, from the "Race Office" located in the city center of Birgi during the times listed below. The location of the race office can be accessed via xxxxx.
Race kits are only distributed to registered runners. Participants who completed their registration but cannot attend the race can assign someone to collect their race kits (without bib number and chip) by notifying [email protected] via email.
- May 24, 2025, Friday: Between 10:00 - 22:00
- May 25, 2025, Saturday: Between 07:30 - 09:30
4.1 Appointment System for Race Kit Collection
An appointment system is in place to minimize wait time when collecting race kits. You can choose the most suitable time for you from the Appointment System on your personal page and book your appointment. Limited counters will be available for participants without appointments.
Participants who miss their appointment time can collect their kits alongside those without an appointment.
5. Race Start
Participants must be at the start area in Birgi city center by 09:30 at the latest on May 25, 2025 (30 minutes before the race start). The race begins at 10:00.
Bib numbers are assigned based on ITRA points from highest to lowest. The starting order will be determined according to bib numbers arranged by ITRA points.
Each runner will enter through the gate displaying their bib number and start from the designated area.
Participants in other courses can leave and collect their bags at the Baggage Tent located at the Start-Finish area.
The organization is not responsible for any belongings left outside the designated baggage area.
6. Race Route
The Efeler Yolu Ultra-Trail® 5K follows the route below, spanning 5 km with an elevation gain of over 100+ m.
Birgi
Except for a limited part, the entire course is on a dirt and rocky terrain, sometimes covered with dense vegetation. Participants must have experience running on such surfaces.
The race route will be marked with reflective strips and other methods visible at night. Deviating from the set route or taking shortcuts will result in disqualification.
7. Checkpoints and Time Limits
The Efe Yolu Ultra-Trail® 5K course does not have any checkpoint.
Participants may receive support from third parties in areas designated by the organization at checkpoints. Supporters may run alongside participants within 200 m before and after checkpoints. Receiving support outside checkpoints is prohibited. Supporters who have not registered for accreditation at the race center will not be allowed at the stations.
Participants who withdraw from the race, exceed the time limit, or cannot continue due to injury will be transported to the finish area by shuttle. Participants who withdraw between checkpoints must notify the organization at the emergency number +90 535 545 18 78 and return to the nearest checkpoint or the finish area as soon as possible.
The organization is not responsible for any bags left unattended or outside the designated drop-off area.
7.1 Station Services
Runners can use the shuttle services for free with their race bib numbers.
8. Finish Buffet
Soup will be served at the Birgi Race Center for participants who successfully finish the race or withdraw from it.
Only athletes with a race bib number can benefit from the finish buffet.
9. Environmental Awareness
The race takes place in an important historical and natural area of Turkey. Participants must respect the environment, avoid littering outside the designated bins at checkpoints, and refrain from damaging the natural setting. Those who do not comply will be disqualified. No plastic cups will be provided at checkpoints to reduce waste. Each participant must carry their own cup or water container.
10. Safety and Health
The organization reserves the right to stop, shorten, or cancel the race in case of severe weather conditions (e.g., heavy fog, storm) to ensure participant safety and allow for healthy running conditions. Any changes will be communicated to participants at checkpoints before or during the race. Participants must comply with these decisions.
Medical teams and/or ambulances will be stationed at important checkpoints and at locations deemed necessary by the organization, as announced before the race. Medical teams may conduct health checks on participants and prevent them from continuing if it is deemed unsafe or risky for their health. Participants must comply with these decisions.
11. Mandatory Equipment
It is mandatory for participants to carry the following items during the race:
- - Water container (water bag, bottle, flask, etc.)
- - Mobile phone (organization and emergency contact numbers must be registered)
- - Appropriate shoes
- - Bib number and additional timing chip (Will be provided by the organization and must be carried in a visible manner during the race!)
These items may be checked during bib number handover and at any point during the race. Participants found without any of the mandatory items will be disqualified and will not be allowed to continue the race.
In addition to the above list, the following items are recommended:
- - Food (e.g. energy gels or bars)
- - Long-sleeve shirt
- - Gloves
- - Gaiters
- - Trekking poles
- - Trail running shoes
Participants using trekking poles must carry them throughout the race; they cannot leave them at any point. Participants who drop their poles before finishing the race will receive an additional 1-hour time penalty.
12. Disqualification and Time Penalties
The following actions are direct causes for disqualification:
- - Not passing through any aid stations.
- - Taking shortcuts or using vehicles.
- - Receiving support outside the aid stations.
- - Leaving a participant in need of help without assistance.
- - Destroying the natural environment or littering.
- - Refusing to be checked by medical staff.
- - Failing to comply with decisions made by medical staff or the organization (e.g. not continuing the race).
- - Not carrying mandatory items or refusing to have them checked by the organization.
- - Engaging in unsportsmanlike behavior.
Disqualified runners will not be allowed to continue the race. Participants who drop their poles before finishing the race will receive an additional 1-hour time penalty.
13. Results
Partial and final results will be published on the efeleryoluultratrail.com website. Results will be evaluated based on the following categories:
Results and the status of the runners during the race can be followed live from our website starting from the race's beginning.
- - Overall Men/Women
14. Prizes
Efeler Yolu Ultra-Trail® does not offer any monetary prizes. All participants who finish the race within the time limit and according to the rules will receive a finisher's vest and a completion medal.
The finisher's vest and medal are only available to participants with a bib number, who meet the time limits, and who qualify according to the competition rules.
The categories for which medals and non-monetary prizes will be awarded at the end of the race are as follows:
- - Overall Men/Women
The award ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at 12:00 AM in the city center of Birgi. Participants who have qualified for sponsor prizes must claim and use their awards within 6 months of the event date. The organization is not responsible for unclaimed or unused prizes after this period.
15. Use of Visual Materials
Registered participants agree to allow the organization and sponsors to use photos and videos taken during the event for promotional purposes in all visual, written, and audio media.
16. Disclaimer
Participants who register for Efeler Yolu Ultra-Trail® voluntarily accept the race rules and any changes to these rules. The organization cannot be held responsible for any material or immaterial damage or accidents that occur to participants or third parties due to actions taken by participants during the event.