Participation Conditions and Rules
1. General Information
The Niğde Half Marathon is a road race held in Niğde, covering distances of 21.0975 km, 10 km, and a 5 km Public Run.
The Half Marathon distance starts at 10:00 AM on October 3, 2026, from the ancient city of Tyana. The 10K distance starts at 11:00 AM from the city center of Niğde. The 5K Public Run will start at 11:15 AM.
Participants must complete the Half Marathon distance in 3 hours and 30 minutes, and the 10K distance in 1 hour and 30 minutes, based on partial self-sufficiency. Partial self-sufficiency means that participants must carry equipment that will allow them to safely continue their run in any natural conditions they may encounter.
2. Participation Requirements
The race is open to everyone over the age of 18. Participants aged 7-15 can only participate in the 5K race with parental permission. Those aged 16-18 can participate in the 5K and 10K races with parental permission, and everyone over 18 can participate in the 5K, 10K, and 21K races. Participants must possess a valid health certificate issued within one year prior to the race date, stating that they have no health issues preventing them from running, or a sports license approved by the Athletics, Triathlon, Mountaineering, Orienteering, or Cycling Federations, or a waiver completed and signed at the time of kit purchase.
The relevant documents must be submitted to the organizers before the race. Runners must be athletically prepared and wear clothing suitable for varying weather and natural conditions.
3. Registration
a) Registration Method
Only registered runners can participate in the race. Registration will be done through the website nigdeyarimaratonu.com. The final registration date is September 30th at 17:00.
The maximum number of participants is limited to 1000 people. Registrations will close immediately upon reaching this limit, even before the final registration deadline.
Each registration is personal. Registration transfers or someone else running in place of a participant will not be permitted.
b) Registration Fee
21K Niğde Half Marathon
The registration fee for those registering between September 1, 2026 and September 30, 2026 is 600 TL.
10K Niğde Road Race
The registration fee for those registering between September 1, 2026 and September 30, 2026 is 400 TL.
5K Public Run
The registration fee for those registering between September 1, 2026 and September 30, 2026 is 200 TL.
These are non-refundable fees.
To participate in the run, the registration fee must be paid at the time of registration using a Visa or MasterCard credit card or bank transfer. Only participants who have paid the registration fee will be considered when creating the final registration list. The organization reserves the right to offer discounts on the registration fee under certain conditions.
The registration fee includes the following items:
- Bib number
- Time measurement
- Run t-shirt
- Food/drink support and first aid at checkpoints along the course
- Finisher medal for participants who successfully complete the run
4. Delivery of Race Packages
Participants must collect their race packages, which include their bib number and other materials, from the "Race Office" located in Niğde city center on the dates and times specified below.
Race kits are only delivered to those who have registered for the race. Race kits for runners who have completed their registration but cannot participate in the race will be delivered to the person notified via email at [email protected], without bib numbers or chips.
October 2, 2026, Friday: 12:00 - 20:00.
Saturday, October 3, 2026: Between 07:00 and 09:00 (for 21K)
Saturday, October 3, 2026: Between 07:00 and 10:30 (for 5K - 10K)
5. Race Start
Participants must be at the starting area in Niğde city center no later than 09:30 on October 3, 2026 (30 minutes before the start of the race) for the Niğde Half Marathon. The race starts at 10:00. The 10K Niğde Road Race starts at 11:00. The 5K Public Race will start at 11:15.
At the starting area, there will be changing rooms and a bag drop-off area for participants. Participants can retrieve their bags at the end of the race by showing their bib number.
The organization is not responsible for items left anywhere other than the bag drop-off area.
6. Race Route
The Niğde Half Marathon follows the following route, totaling 21,975 meters in length and including over 170 meters of climb:
The race route will be marked with bright tape and other methods. Departing from the designated route and using shortcuts will result in disqualification.
7. Intermediate Points and Time Limits
There are nutrition stations every 5 km and water stations every 2.5 km along the Niğde Half Marathon and Niğde 10K Road Race routes.
Garbage should be disposed of in the designated bins.
Participants may receive assistance from third parties at designated areas determined by the organization at intermediate points. Receiving assistance outside of these points is prohibited.
Participants who withdraw from the race at their own request, exceed the time limit, or are unable to continue due to injury at intermediate points will be transported to the finish area by shuttle buses. Participants who withdraw from the race between two intermediate points must notify the organization as soon as possible via the emergency phone number +90 535 545 18 78 and return to the nearest intermediate point or finish area.
8. Environmental Awareness
Participants are required to respect the environment, not to litter except in designated bins at checkpoints, and not to damage the natural environment. Participants who do not adhere to these guidelines will be disqualified.
9. Safety and Health
The organization reserves the right to make changes, including stopping, shortening, or canceling the race, in the event of adverse weather conditions (e.g., dense fog, storm) to ensure the safety of participants and allow them to run in safe conditions. Such changes will be announced to participants before or at checkpoints during the race. Participants are obligated to comply with these decisions.
Medical teams and/or ambulances will be present at key checkpoints and other locations deemed necessary by the organization, with locations announced before the race. Medical teams may conduct health checks on participants and, if they determine a medical condition that prevents or risks participation, may prevent them from continuing the race. Participants are obligated to comply with these decisions.
10. Required Equipment
Participants are required to carry the following items during the race:
- Bib number and additional timing chip (to be provided by the organizers.)
11. Disqualification and Time Penalties
The following behaviors are direct grounds for disqualification:
- Failing to pass through any checkpoint.
- Taking a shortcut or using a vehicle.
- Receiving assistance outside of checkpoints.
- Leaving a participant in need of assistance alone and failing to provide help.
- Damaging the natural environment or littering.
- Refusing to be checked by medical personnel.
- Failing to comply with decisions made by medical personnel or the organization (e.g., not continuing the race).
- Engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct.
Disqualified runners will not be allowed to continue the race.
12. Results
Partial results during the race and final results afterward will be published on the nigdeyarimaratonu.com website. Results will be evaluated based on the following categories:
Age categories for Master athletes; for both men and women, starting from their 35th birthday (WA/WMA Rule 3.1). In all competitions, the age group in which the athlete will compete is determined by looking at the month and day of their birth, based on the competition date.
- Men/Women General Classification
- Men/Women 16 - 18 (10K only)
- Men/Women 18 - 34
- Men/Women 35 - 39
- Men/Women 40 - 44
- Men/Women 45 - 49
- Men/Women 50 - 54
- Men/Women 55 - 59
- Men/Women 60 - 64
- Men/Women 65 - 69
- Men/Women 70 - 74
- Men/Women 75+
Athletes in the top 3 of the General Classification are not considered in the age group evaluation.
The 5K Public Race will be judged in two categories: General Classification for Men and Women.
The objection period for age groups is 5 business days from the race date. Objections received within this period will be considered. Objections received after this date will not be considered.
13. Prizes
The cash prizes to be awarded in the Niğde Half Marathon races are as follows:
21K General Classification
Women & Men First Place: 6000 TL
Women & Men Second Place: 4000 TL
Women & Men Third Place: 2000 TL
21K Age Categories
Women & Men First Place: 4000 TL
Women & Men Second Place: 3000 TL
Women & Men Third Place: 2000 TL
10K General Classification
Women & Men First Place: 6000 TL
Women & Men Second Place: 4000 TL
Women & Men Third Place: 2000 TL
5K General Classification
Women & Men First Place: 3000 TL
Women & Men Second Place: 2000 TL
Women & Men Third Place: 1000 TL
Awards in the General Classification No prizes will be awarded in the age category.
Every participant who finishes the race within the time limit and according to the rules will receive a finisher's medal. Cash prizes will be awarded to those who place in the 21K General Classification and Age Groups, and the 10K General Classification.
The award ceremony will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 13:30 in Niğde city center.
14. Use of Visual Materials
Registered participants are deemed to have given permission for the organization and sponsors to use photographs and videos taken during the event for promotional purposes in all visual, written, and business media.
15. Disclaimer
Participants who have voluntarily registered for the Niğde Half Marathon are deemed to have accepted the race rules and any changes that may be made to these rules. The organization cannot be held responsible for any material or moral damages or accidents caused by or suffered by participants, or that may arise against third parties.
