11th Eker I Run Marathon & 15K

This race suits trail runners who have real hill work in their training and aren't intimidated by technical ground. The 256 metres of elevation gain across the full marathon might not sound like much on paper, but the course's range from 122 to 1863 metres above sea level tells a different story. You'll need the fitness to handle sustained climbing, not just a sprint finish. Trail experience matters here because you'll be moving over uneven surfaces, not asphalt, which demands more from your stabiliser muscles and concentration. This is for runners who actually enjoy the trail environment rather than those using it as a PR course, and for people prepared to show up with proper trail shoes. What you'll actually encounter is a moderately hilly trail that won't relent for forty-two kilometres. The terrain will force a realistic pace from the start, and the elevation profile means you can't treat this as a fast marathon. You're climbing and descending throughout the race in the Bursa region of Turkey, so expect rough ground, potential rocky sections, and limited flat recovery stretches. October weather in Turkey should be reasonable, but trail running always brings unpredictability. The real challenge isn't the total elevation gain in isolation but the fact that you're managing it over a full marathon distance on unstable ground. If you're running a trail marathon for the first time, this is a serious introduction, not a gentle one. Come prepared for technical footing, bring appropriate gear, and respect that trail marathons demand more problem-solving than their road equivalents.