MATERIAL SELECTION
Especially in long-distance running, an important factor that affects performance as much as training is the choice of materials and knowing how to use and maintain them. Age, training level and the choice of equipment specific to the track to be run have a serious impact on performance. While the right materials will provide a comfortable racing environment, they will also allow you to complete the course in a healthy way in harsh natural conditions. In extreme sports, life safety is a prerequisite for competition. If necessary, you must be able to take care of yourself in the field until help arrives. Especially mandatory materials are essential for life safety. Therefore, the lack of mandatory materials requires penalties. The penalties you will receive if required materials are missing are explained in the rules section.
In Gökçeada, as of September, you may encounter rain, fog, wind and decreasing temperatures depending on altitude. Although it includes partial asphalt passages, most of the track is in a dirt structure called "trail". In addition to wide paths, there will also be narrow paths (singles) to be run among dense bushes and branches. There may be partial water migration depending on the amount of rainfall.
A. Required Materials
It will be checked at the registration desk. These materials must be carried throughout the entire race, from start to finish. Equipment can be checked at any time within the track. Carrying missing equipment is grounds for penalty or disqualification.
1. Shoes suitable for the track,
2. Leggings,
3. Suitable GPS-enabled watch,
4. Sunglasses,
5. Sunscreen,
6. Baton,
7. Vaseline and similar creams,
8. Knife or scissors
RACE COURSE
In Gökçeada, you may encounter rain, fog, wind, and low temperatures depending on the altitude. Although there are some paved sections, the majority of the trail is a dirt track. You will mostly encounter wide paths as well as narrow trails (single treks) through dense bushes and branches. Depending on the amount of rainfall, you may encounter some water crossings.
There will be 3 checkpoints on the trail. You can replenish your fluids and gels at these checkpoints.
CP1-Dam: Drink replenishment,
CP2-Antenna: Food and drink replenishment,
Intermediate point: Drink replenishment,
CP3-Bademli: Food and drink replenishment
The time limit and closing time given for each checkpoint must not be missed. The checkpoint must be vacated within the specified closing time. When a checkpoint closes, runners who are still at that station or who have not yet reached it will be disqualified due to timeout and will be removed from the course and transported to the finish line by vehicle.
The first 900 meters of the course, starting at Kaleköy Port, are run on asphalt, after which the route turns onto a gravel road on the right. This 5 km section, with an abandoned airport on one side and farms on the other, can be run continuously until the entrance to Zeytinliköy. At the entrance to Zeytinliköy, at the 6th kilometer, the first climb awaits the runners. Passing through this charming Greek village, famous for its stone houses and beautiful cafes, the runners descend back to sea level at the village exit and reach the shore of the dam lake. After running 2 km with the lake on the right, a 350-meter asphalt connection leads to the first checkpoint, "Baraj," at the 10.2 km mark. Fluid and gel supplies can be replenished at this point.
Continuing along a wide forest road, as the runners approach the 12th kilometer, a rather steep climb results in a 200-meter elevation gain in just one kilometer. Using trekking poles may be beneficial in this section. After the summit, the course descends through a rocky and technical path from kilometer 14 to the second checkpoint (CP) at kilometer 17.6, where runners can navigate up and down. The majority of this section consists of comfortable trails.
At CP2, runners replenish their water and food supplies before crossing to the asphalt road, where they face the longest climb of the course. This climb, starting around kilometer 18, leads runners to the 438-meter summit after approximately 2 kilometers. After completing this grueling climb, you'll have the chance to enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views overlooking the entire island.
Then comes a long descent of approximately 8 kilometers. This technical section, mostly comfortable to run on but requiring careful and slow progress due to thorny vegetation, is a "single-track" course, so wearing long socks is recommended. By midday, runners who had completed this challenging section would reach the third and final checkpoint under the shade of the centuries-old plane tree at the 29.1 km mark in Eski Bademli.
After a journey through time in this beautiful Greek village, with its stone houses, cafes, and boutique shops, you'll begin to see the finish line at Kaleköy Harbor at the village's exit. However, there's still about 5 km ahead. First, you'll descend to Yıldız Bay via trails, then climb to the ruins of the castle that gave Kaleköy its name, where you'll encounter a breathtaking view. When you reach the final 500 meters, all you have to do is follow the signs and reach the finish line at Kaleköy Harbor.
At the finish area, a lively crowd with music, a wonderful sea, a refreshment tent in the rest area, and your finish prizes await you. After dinner, we'll meet again at the after-party in the same area to unwind from the day's fatigue and share the memories we've collected.
