TÜROB President Müberra Eresin: “Kaçkar by UTMB®️, a Milestone for Black Sea Nature Sports”

We are delighted to welcome the Kaçkar by UTMB®️ event, to be held on 26-28 September 2025 amid the enchanting nature of Rize, in the Kaçkar Mountains, and we take great pleasure in this important event.

The fact that the world’s most prestigious ultra-trail marathon series will be held for the first time in Türkiye, and on the very peaks of the Black Sea, is extremely valuable in demonstrating the point our country has reached in sports tourism. International events of this kind, which highlight athletes’ endurance and harmony with nature, offer significant opportunities not only in terms of sport, but also for tourism, promotion, sustainability and regional development.

Sports tourism is among the foremost strategic areas in Türkiye’s future and is one of the fastest-growing tourism segments in the world. For Türkiye to claim a larger share of this growth, it is critically important to increase the number of events with high global promotional value, such as Kaçkar by UTMB®️. The economic contribution of approximately 5 million euros that the region will gain not only on race days, but also before and after the event, will directly benefit local businesses, the accommodation sector and the people of the region. 

The fact that the races will be broadcast on international television, particularly on Eurosport screens, is a major gain for the promotion of both the region and our country. In this way, the natural beauties of the Black Sea and of Türkiye will reach a wide audience interested in sports tourism.

The challenging yet captivating courses of the Kaçkar Mountains are not merely a race experience; they carry the potential to become a new center of attraction for trekking, mountaineering and outdoor activities throughout the year. Indeed, it should not be forgotten that national and international achievements in every branch of sport make significant contributions to the promotion and tourism of Türkiye.

As TÜROB, we will continue to stand behind international events geared toward sports tourism, to support developments in this field, and to strengthen cooperation. We wholeheartedly believe that Türkiye will become a global brand at the intersection of nature, culture and sport, and not merely a classic holiday destination.

Kaçkar by UTMB®️ has become a project that revitalizes off-season tourism and brings local culture and natural riches to the world stage. The voluntary participation of young people in the region, collaborations with universities, and its approach to sustainability also take the event to a different level.

We sincerely thank all public institutions, local administrations, federations, sponsor brands and volunteers who contributed to this major event, foremost the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA). 

We congratulate all stakeholders for the contribution that this special gathering, to be held in the unique geography of the Kaçkar Mountains, will make to our country’s tourism potential, and we wish the athletes success.

Note: For detailed information and the program about the event, please https://kackar.utmb.world/tr visit the website.