15th International Afşin-Elbistan Ultramarathon Championship

Kahramanmaraş will host a demanding long-distance challenge on October 3, 2026, as the 15th International Afşin-Elbistan Ultramarathon Championship brings runners to the Afşin-Elbistan region for a 100K endurance test. Set in the northern part of Kahramanmaraş, the event will place athletes in a landscape shaped by wide plains, highland air, local history, and the quiet strength of Central Anatolia meeting the Mediterranean hinterland.

A 100K ultramarathon is never just about distance. It is about patience, pacing, nutrition, weather, mental discipline, and the ability to keep moving when the body asks questions. In Afşin-Elbistan, runners will face a race that demands long focus and steady resilience, making the championship a serious test for experienced ultra-athletes.

The region will also give the event a strong local identity. Visitors can connect the race weekend with Afşin’s historic and spiritual heritage, Elbistan’s open landscapes, the wider Kahramanmaraş culture, and local flavors such as Maraş ice cream, tarhana (World’s Oldest Artisan Instant Soup), red pepper, içli köfte (Anatolian Stuffed Bulgur Meatballs), and regional home-style dishes. Even if you are not running, you will still want to follow this race—because Afşin-Elbistan turns 100 kilometers into a story of endurance, silence, local culture, and the long road through one of Türkiye’s lesser-known athletic landscapes.