Rize Deputy Governor Kurt: 5K Run Prepares for September Race

A 5-kilometer community run was organized in Rize in cooperation with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Rize Governorship, and "Kaçkar by Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB)". The event, held at Çay Çarşısı, was attended by Rize Deputy Governors Abdullah Kurt, Metin Eyyüpkoca, and Mustafa Batuhan Alpboğa, Çamlıhemşin District Governor Gizem Çiçek, Çamlıhemşin Mayor Ömer Altun, and numerous athletes and sports enthusiasts.

Participants competed on the 5-kilometer course after warming up at the meeting point.

Rize Deputy Governor Abdullah Kurt expressed his pleasure at hosting sports and nature enthusiasts in Rize in a statement to journalists. Kurt noted that they would organize the second Kaçkar by UTMB between September 11-13 and that athlete registrations were ongoing.

Stating that they organized a run called "5K" today with public participation, Kurt said, "It was an event that we believe was a beautiful run with high energy."

Ultramarathon athlete Beyza Güzel, who participated in the event, reminded that she came first in the 20-kilometer course of Kaçkar by UTMB last year. Güzel said, "Today, we also held a wonderful event. Our goal was to have a good run all together."

Başak Ağdaş Ünal, on the other hand, emphasized that she would participate in Kaçkar by UTMB for the first time this year. Ünal said, "I have another long race a week later. That's why I will run the short course here. I came to experience it beforehand. I love the nature, trails, and undiscovered beauties of this place. Being here is a great pleasure for me."

Noting that Kaçkar by UTMB races are always very challenging, Ünal added:

"Runners who follow UTMB know this very well. I think it's a great chance for the Kaçkars that it is held under the name Kaçkar by UTMB in our country, in this geography. That's why I really want everyone to experience it. We welcome trail runners, trail lovers to Kaçkar by UTMB in September."