Tuz Gölü hosts international ultra trail marathon

The Runfire Salt Lake Ultra Trail marathon has commenced on the white salt crust of Tuz Gölü in the Eskil district of Aksaray, Turkey. The event features approximately 750 athletes from 10 to 13 different countries participating in seven distinct categories.

Competition distances include 10, 20, 40, and 80 kilometers, as well as a 100-mile (160-kilometer) ultra-marathon. The 100-mile race, described by organizers as one of Turkey’s most challenging, requires participants to navigate extreme heat and intense physical and mental fatigue, often running through the night using headlamps.

The landscape of the salt lake, which provides a surreal, otherworldly environment due to the vast white expanse, serves as a significant backdrop for the competition. Beyond the races, the event includes camping, live music, and outdoor cinema activities.