Rules and Regulations

1. General Information

Erciyes Ultra Sky Trail is a trail run that takes places along the hills and valleys of the Erciyes Volcano in Kayseri . The distance is about 45,5 km  with an elevation gain of 2500 m.+ The race starts on  July 6, 2024 at 06:30 in Erciyes Mountain on Gereme (Kızık Köyü) and ends at Tekir Pond. Participants should finish the route under 12 hours in a semi-sufficient way, i.e. they should carry equipment that is necessary to ensure the safety of their run for possible weather conditions.

2. Participation

The event is open to anyone aged 18 and over who are in possession of either (a) a valid medical certificate or (b) a valid license issued by a related sports federation which does not expire before July 6, 2024 and indicates that the person can participate to long distance runs. These documents will be checked by the organization before the race. Participants are advised to be experienced about running on the paths and mountainous terrain.

3. Registration

a) Registration procedure

Only registered runners can participate to the event. Registration will only be available online at skyerciyes.com. Deadline for registration is  June 30, 2024 or when the maximum number of 200 participants have registered. Organization has the right to register additional runners under certain conditions A registration cannot be transferred, and organization will not allow another person to run on behalf of a registered participant.  

b) Registration fee

The registration fee is 30 Euros  until April 1, 2024, 35 Euros between  April 2-June 30, 2024. For participants who register after April 2, 2024 the registration fee is paid at registration time (or within 3 days for bank transfer). For participants who have registered before that date, the registration fee can be paid by one of the methods listed on the web site until June 30, 2024. The amount of the registration fee is based on the payment date. After April 1, 2024 the fee will be increased automatically. Registrations which are not paid until June 30, 2024 will be cancelled. Only registrations with full payment will be taken into consideration for the maximum participant limit. For the final participant list, priority will be given to registrations that have completed the payment process over registrations that pre-date these but are unpaid. Organization has the right to reduce this fee under certain conditions. Registration fee includes:  

• Airport transfer before and after the race from/to Kayseri bus station, from/to  Erciyes Mountain Ski Resort
• Race bib
• Timing
• Race t-shirt
• Assistance and refreshments along the route
• Pasta party before the race
• Refreshments after the race
• Finisher medal for participants who successfully completed the race

c) Cancellation

Registration fee will be refunded entirely within a month if a registration is cancelled before April 10, 2024. There won’t be any refunds after this date. No refund of the registration fee will be made should the race be cancelled or interrupted due to reasons beyond the control of the organization, such as bad weather conditions. In the condition of cancellation due to health problems, registration fee will be refunded just only by producing a detailed health report.  

4. Distribution of Race Packs

Race packs including the race bibs will be distributed at the registration area front of  Erciyes Corp., in Erciyes Tekir Platoo Ski Resort, on the dates listed below. You can find Registration area at http://tinyurl.com/oyjqcov.  

• July 5, 2024  –13:00-22:00
• July 6, 2024 – 05:00-05:30

5. Race Start

The race starts on July 6, 2024 at 06:30 at Erciyes Tekir Plateau Gereme Region, Kayseri. Participants are required to be at the start area at least 30 minutes in advance, i.e. before 06:00 There will be changing rooms and a bag deposit. The deposited bags can be retrieved at the end of the race by showing the race bib. The Organization cannot be held responsible for any items left unattended in or outside of the bag deposit area.

6. Race Route

Erciyes Ultra Sky Trail starts from Gereme Region on Tekir plateau, Erciyes Volcano,  and circumnavigate the Erciyes Volcano (3917m) and finishes at the Tekir Pond. Race passes throught the following points on Erciyes Mountain with a total distance of 45,5 km with a climbing of 3000 m+:

• Kızık (Kızık Village)
• Sarıgöl (Hacılar District)
• Peri Kartın (Hacılar District)
• Tekir Pond (Erciyes Ski Resort-EKM)

% 60 of the route is on gravel roads with different shapes of stones, % 40 narrow paths with the mixture of stones and soil. There are some pastures ,with the boulders of 1 m height and may need to use hands to pass over. The route will be marked with reflective bands and other means. Any departures from the official route entails disqualification.

7. Checkpoints and Time Limits

There are 5 checkpoints along the race route. Passages from these points will be timed, and various refreshments will be available. Each checkpoint has a time limit listed below. Participants who arrive a checkpoint after the designated time limit will not be allowed to continue.

CP	KM	STATION	ASC	DESC	TIME LIMIT
1. CP	5km	Kızık Köyü	823	-831	08:00
2. CP	20.8km	Sarıgöl	569	-601	11:30
3. CP	33.7km	Peri Kartın	969	-435	15:30
F	45.5km	EKM	261	-234	18:30

EKM : Erciyes Ski Resort When leaving a checkpoint, participants should have sufficient water and food until the next one. The refreshments at the checkpoints are only for the consumption of the runners carrying a visible race bib. Participants can get external support at designated areas in the checkpoints. Supporters can accompany the participants by running within 200 m before and after a checkpoint. Getting support outside the checkpoints is not allowed. Vehicles,(or rescue teams)  shall be present to pick up the participants that withdraw or are injured and take them back to the finish area. Because of the mountain conditions, long way walking may be need .Participants who abandon the race between two checkpoints should inform the organization as soon as possible and return back to the closest checkpoint or the finish area.

8. Environmental Awareness

The race takes place in an important mountain terrain of Turkey with a natural ecosystem. Participants are therefore required to fully respect the natural environment, in particular by not throwing away rubbish, and harm the natural habitat. Acting otherwise shall lead to disqualification. In order to reduce the amount of garbage, there won’t be any plastic cups at the refreshment points. Participants are required to carry their own drinking cups or water bottles. Nature friendly waymarks are going to be used for marking of the route. Permanent waymarks will not be used. All waymarks will be cleaned up just after the race. Because of the circumstances outside of our control, lost and flied away pieces of waymarks will be dissolved in nature in 3 months.

9. Health and Safety

In case of bad weather conditions, such as dense fog or storm, the organization reserves the right to make last minute changes in order to prevent potential hazards or difficult conditions for the participants. This may include suspending or cancelling the race, or making modifications to the route. The participants should obey these decisions. Any changes will be announced to the participants before the race, or at refreshment points during the race. Medical teams and ambulance will be present at the main refreshment stations and important points determined by the organization. Their exact location will be announced before the race. Medical personnel can check the participants during the race and decide to stop their race if deemed necessary for health reasons. The participants should obey these decisions.

10. Mandatory Equipment

During the race, the participants are obliged to carry the mandatory items listed below:

• Running shoes
• Race bib (should be visible all times)
• Whistle
• Mobile phone (organization and emergency numbers should be present)
• Emergency blanket
• Head lamp with spare batteries
• At least 1 lt of water (must be filled up before leaving the check point)
• Cup or water bottle (there won’t be plastic cups at refreshment points)
• Waterproof raincoat top with rain hood
• Long sleeved Thermal top mid layer
• Gloves
• Hat, cap or bandana
• Map (will be given by organisation)
• Self-adhesive, stretch band(min. 1 m)

These may be checked before distributing the race bib and at any point during the race. Participants without any of the mandatory items shall be disqualified and will not be allowed to continue the race. Timing chip, if used, should be returned back after the race; otherwise, it’s cost will be charged from the participant. In addition to the list above, It is highly recommended to run with “Trail running shoes” it is highly recommended to carry the following material:

• Food (e.g. energy gels or bars)
• Sun Glasses –sun protection cosmetics
• Poles

Participants running with poles should carry them from start to finish; they cannot leave the poles as any intermediate point.

11. Disqualification and Time Penalties

The following actions lead to immediate disqualification from the race:  

• Not passing from any of the checkpoints.
• Taking a short cut or using a vehicle.
• Getting support except designated refreshment points.
• Failing to help a participant in difficulty.
• Throwing away rubbish or harming the natural habitat.
• Rejecting to be checked by the medical personnel.
• Not obeying the decisions given by the medical personnel or organization.

Disqualified participant will not be allowed to continue the race. For participants running with poles, leaving them at an intermediate point before finish is subject to 1 hour time penalty.   Not carrying the mandatory items, or rejecting their check by the organization is subject to 1 hour time penalty.  

12. Results

Partial results during and the official results after the race will be announced at skyerciyes.com web site. Results will be ranked in the following categories:

• Overall
• Men/Women 40- (2005 - 1985)
• Men/Women 40+ (1984 - 1974)
• Men/Women 50+ (1973 and older)

13. Prizes

There are no cash prizes. Finisher medal for participants who successfully completed the race. For the age categories there will be a plate. Non-monetary prizes shall be awarded to the first 3 participants in the Men Overall, Women Overall categories.

• Men Overall
• Women Overall

The First Man: Aladağlar Sky Trail 2024 45K free participation The Second Man: 3 days Erciyes Free Ski Pass The Third Man: 3 days Erciyes Free Ski Pass The First Woman: Aladağlar Sky Trail 2024 45K free participation The Second Woman: 3 days Erciyes Free Ski Pass The Third Woman: 3 days Erciyes Free Ski Pass

14. Rights of Visual Material Use

The participants authorize the Organization to freely use any images and videos depicting them during the event.  

15. Waiver of Responsibility

Voluntary registration and subsequent participation in Erciyes Ultra Sky Trail indicates full acceptance of the rules and any changes they may have to undergo. By registering, the participant exempts the organizers from any liability, whether civil or criminal, for damage to persons and/or property caused by or to him/her.