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Six years after I ended my professional athletics career, I was introduced to the world of ultramarathons through Uzunetap in 2014. The biggest factor behind my victory—coming in first place and beating all the men in my very first race, the Longest Day concept—was none other than the incredible Uzunetap team.

Uzunetap was a team that believed in me even when I couldn’t recognize my own strength. They motivated every athlete until the very last minute of every race, prioritized safety above all, and made every runner feel valued.

Even when we could run for hundreds of kilometers, during those moments when our mental resilience faltered, Uzunetap was the name of the unwavering support that never stopped smiling, helping every athlete reach the finish line. Uzunetap taught us that life isn’t a playground to be sprinted through at 100 meters; it’s an ultramarathon where every experience matters, and the goal is to cross the finish line of a long and meaningful journey.

The team that carries its name with pride, Uzunetap, has been like a home to me, even during my first multi-stage ultramarathon, where I ran with a 12-kilogram backpack over 10 years. While introducing this discipline to Turkey, Uzunetap inspired countless people, even those sitting at home, to dream of running across the Salt Lake.From night to day, and day to night, through races with various unique concepts, Uzunetap has allowed people to discover their own limits. I am deeply grateful for the role you’ve played in this. Here’s to many more decades together!

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I ran my first races with Uzunetap, and I still enjoy participating in their events. As one of the first race organization companies, Uzunetap always operates with a runner-focused approach, never compromising on race quality, and offers us unique and wonderful experiences.

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Uzunetap has always held a special place in my heart. Thanks to them, I’ve had the opportunity to experience many “firsts.” Most importantly, I had the honor of representing my country abroad and raising our flag high—a source of pride I will cherish for a lifetime.

Uzunetap’s contributions to the development of ultramarathons in Turkey are undeniable. At a time when ultramarathons were still a relatively new concept, Uzunetap’s successful events helped make the sport loved and more widespread.

On a side note, I’m eagerly looking forward to the revival of multi-stage races. We, the “veterans,” were fortunate enough to experience this unique atmosphere, and I would love for newcomers to have the chance to enjoy it as well.

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When it comes to trail running and ultramarathons in Turkey, Uzunetap is the first name that springs to mind. With its visionary outlook and professional approach, Uzunetap has been a trailblazer, connecting athletes with the country’s most breathtaking natural wonders.

As both a runner and a business professional who has had the privilege of working with Uzunetap over the years, I feel genuinely fortunate to have crossed paths with their team. Their unwavering commitment to solutions, exceptional communication skills, and impeccable work ethic have consistently inspired confidence—whether during our professional collaborations or as a participant in their events.

Uzunetap’s proactive and adaptable approach has been instrumental in sustaining our long-standing partnership. Their meticulous attention to even the smallest details and their ability to anticipate athletes’ needs create a seamless and secure experience for participants. Above all, the enthusiasm and heartfelt welcome at the finish line perfectly capture Uzunetap’s unparalleled dedication to its athletes.

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My first experience of the Lycian Way Ultramarathon was in 2011: 240 kilometers, seven days, six stages, and trails marked by the storied Lycian Way that drew me into an unforgettable odyssey. It was a journey rooted in self-sufficiency and the raw beauty of nature.

As both my first trail race and my introduction to ultramarathons, the rugged terrain posed a formidable challenge in the beginning. Yet, the breathtaking landscapes, the camaraderie of my campmates, and the boundless encouragement from the organizers gave me the strength to push toward the finish line.

The forest opened up to reveal glimpses of a sea shimmering like a sapphire under the sun and mountains rising like golden-capped towers—it was pure magic. By the time I crossed the 240-kilometer finish line, I was utterly transformed: physically and mentally stronger, spiritually rejuvenated. It was an experience that reshaped my outlook on life and set me on a new path entirely. Since then, I’ve taken part in various Uzunetap events, and each one has been its own remarkable adventure. Here’s to many more races and unforgettable journeys together—thank you for being a part of this incredible story!

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The Lycian Way Ultra Marathon is the place where we realize the changes and transformations within ourselves... The challenging, long trails start our journey to ourselves and hurt us with confrontations...

In those moments, our companions of fate—whom we may not even know, but with whom we share the same tent, the same trails—become our parents, our children, our partners, our comrades. Everything within us is transferred to those beside us, to the trails, the mountains, the seas. We fail to recognize ourselves; we become someone else, feeling embarrassed and asking, 'Where did this come from?' But perhaps this is our truest self. Emotions find expression with every step, every kilometer. Whatever lies inside us spills out—sometimes as pain, sometimes as tears, sometimes as effort, sometimes as defeat. We are liberated by these expressed emotions, by the confessions we make to ourselves. And so it happens every time: despite our fears, we dare, we grow stronger, we expand, and we develop further. We understand ourselves and our surroundings better, we accept what is, and we continue on the trails and mountains despite everything—just like in life, just like in the legend of the Lycian Way.

Once upon a time...
Like the Lycians who lived in the land of the sun god Apollo, who was in love with a mortal, runners in the dusty pages of history witnessed the sun never setting, winters never chilling, and mermaids smiling in the turquoise blue seas. They saw eagles racing with clouds on the rocky, snowy, steep mountain slopes, and seagulls gliding gracefully over the blue seas below. The dead never truly died; they transformed into phoenixes and invited you to the Gelidonya Lighthouse. One side of the lighthouse whispered like the lost sailors’ voices in the wind; the other seemed like their faces in the sun setting with sorrow in this enchanted place.

The runners in the tale of the Lycian Way Ultra Marathon, which starts in Telmessos and ends in Phaselis, embarked on this journey with different life stories. Some came to escape themselves, some to find themselves, some to claim a great prize. Yet, as if bound by fate, they wrote this beautiful tale, lived what awaited them, changed, transformed—like a philosopher such as Socrates’ student Theodecles.

Can those who don’t believe in the tale experience what truly happens? Who knows...

This is my Lycian Way tale... So, what’s your tale?

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