General Rules

Participation Requirements and Rules

The race is open to everyone.
Participants compete at their own responsibility by signing the Risk Acceptance Form.
The race is conducted on a semi-self-sufficiency basis. Participants may receive limited supplies and assistance only at designated points. Runners are responsible for carrying the mandatory equipment, clothing, food, and beverages required for the race.
Participants must wear their race bib visibly at all times.
Participants must be present at the start line at the time specified in the race schedule.
Participants must pass through all designated checkpoints during the race. Participants who fail to pass through any checkpoint will be disqualified.
Participants who withdraw from the race are responsible for informing the organization.
All rights to photographs and other visual material taken during the race belong to the organization. Participants may not claim any rights to such material.
Participants aged 65 and over may participate only with an ECG examination and a medical report issued by a cardiologist.

1. PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

LOCATION: The Start/Finish and Expo area is Akyaka Square.
Click here for the location

DISQUALIFICATION: Failure to visibly display the race bib or timing chip, transferring the race bib or timing chip to another person, leaving or altering the official race course, or altering the official race number are grounds for disqualification.

TIMING AND CLASSIFICATION: Net finish times will be measured using disposable timing chips. Only the disposable timing chip provided to participants by the organization will be considered valid. For a valid classification, runners must pass through the timing points located at the start, designated turnaround points, and finish. Race bibs must not be crumpled or folded and must be securely attached at chest level using safety pins at the designated points.

CATEGORIES: For the Half Marathon (21K), 10K, and 5K, the first three male and female finishers will be ranked in the Overall Classification. Athletes who place in the Overall Classification will not be additionally considered for age-group awards.

Age categories are:

39 years and under
40–49 years
50 years and over

The 5K and Doubles Run have only an Overall Classification and no age categories.

General Race Rules

Race and course control for the Gökova Run Fest will be carried out by the Turkish Athletics Federation (TAF), together with official race referees and the timing/classification team positioned along the course and at the finish.

Participants must present an identification document and sign the waiver form in order to collect their race kits. Each participant must personally collect their own race kit. A race kit belonging to another participant cannot be collected by someone else.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Refund requests submitted within 7 days of registration will be subject to a 30% deduction.
Participants who registered with a refundable registration option will receive a 100% refund if their registration is cancelled by August 9, 2026.
Participants who are unable to attend the event may have their race kit collected by a friend on the day of the event by providing a photo of their identification document.
Race kits, awards, and plaques will not be shipped after the event.
Cancellation and refund requests submitted after August 9, 2026 will not be accepted.
Except in cases of documented health problems supported by a doctor and hospital, cancellation requests will not be accepted.
Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to bilgi@gokovarunfest.com.
Registrations cannot be transferred to the following year and cannot be transferred to another participant.
Refunds will be made using the same payment method used for the original registration. If payment was made by bank transfer, the refund will be made to the participant’s original bank account. If payment was made by credit card, the refund will be made to the same credit card.
If the race is suspended or cancelled due to severe weather conditions or other circumstances beyond the organization’s control, registration fees will not be refunded.

TIME LIMIT

The time limit for the Half Marathon (21K) is 3 hours. After this time, the entire course will be reopened to traffic. Runners still on the course may continue in a controlled manner along the roadside or on sidewalks.

SWEEP VEHICLE

A sweep vehicle will follow behind the last runner.

IMPORTANT: All athletes participating in the 21K must present either a valid athlete’s license or a medical certificate issued within the previous six months when collecting their race kit.

IMPORTANT: Runners who complete the Half Marathon after the 3-hour time limit will not be included in the official classification and will not be entitled to a finisher certificate or medal.

IMPORTANT: By completing the registration process, participants are deemed to have read and accepted all rules of the Gökova Run Fest. All event information is subject to change, including the course, date, expo area, and other event details. Please visit our website regularly for information regarding any changes.

2. REGISTRATION INFORMATION

The registration deadline is September 18, 2026.
The deadline for course changes is September 1, 2026.
Participants may not transfer to a course that has reached its participant capacity.
Each participant may change their registered course only once.
All registrations are personal and non-transferable. Participants may not transfer their registration or allow another person to participate in their place.
A runner who allows an unregistered person to run with them will be disqualified at the first checkpoint (CP1).

Registration Conditions

The organization reserves the right to make changes to registration fees under certain conditions.

Health and Age Requirements

Participants under the age of 18 may participate only in the 5K with a parental consent form.
Age categories are 39 years and under, 40–49 years, and 50 years and over.
There are no age categories for the 5K; participants will only be evaluated in the Overall Classification.
Participants aged 65 and over may participate only with an ECG examination and a medical report issued by a cardiologist.

Race Procedures and Safety

It is the participant’s responsibility to follow the course markings. Getting lost or taking a wrong turn is an inherent possibility in trail running.
Participants must follow the course marked by the organization throughout the race. Depending on the terrain, course markings will be placed at intervals of at least 10 metres and no more than 100 metres.
The organization reserves the right to make changes to the course before the race. Any changes will be announced to participants prior to the start.
Certain sections of the courses may pass along roads open to traffic. Participants are responsible for complying with traffic regulations, paying attention to vehicles, and crossing roads safely.

Race Kit, Mandatory Equipment and Awards

As each participant is required to sign their own waiver, participants may only collect the race kit assigned to them at the kit distribution desk.
If a participant is unable to attend the race, their race kit may be collected by another person on their behalf during the event. Race kits will not be shipped.
Mandatory equipment checks will be conducted at the kit distribution desk and at the start line. Participants who fail to present their mandatory equipment at the kit distribution desk will not be given their race kit.
A 15-minute time penalty will be applied for each missing mandatory equipment item identified during the equipment check.
If a participant is unable to attend the award ceremony, their award may be collected by another person on their behalf against a signature. Awards will not be shipped after the award ceremony.

Awards

There are no cash prizes. Sponsor-provided prizes may be awarded.

Participants who achieve podium positions will receive trophies and/or plaques.

Participants who place in the Overall Classification will not receive additional awards in their respective age categories.

Disqualification

The following actions may result in disqualification:

A 15-minute time penalty will be applied for each missing mandatory equipment item identified during the equipment check.
A runner who throws a water bottle onto the course will be disqualified. A participant will be disqualified if a complaint is received from two runners stating that the participant discarded a water bottle on the course.
Failing to pass through any designated checkpoint.
Taking a shortcut or using a vehicle.
Leaving a participant who requires assistance without providing help.
Refusing to be examined or assessed by medical personnel.
Refusing to allow the organization to inspect mandatory equipment.
Receiving assistance outside designated aid stations or checkpoints.

Disqualified runners will not be permitted to continue the race.

Registration and Registration Fees

For registration and further information, please contact:

bilgi@gokovarunfest.com