MDS CAPPADOCIA 2024 – Stage 2

The sky came alive with arguably, one of the most impressive start lines I have ever witnessed. Stage 2 of MDS CAPPADOCIA was amidst the stunning hot air balloon spectacle that only Cappadocia bring. A wow!

The glimmer of a new day, the orange burn from the burners in the baskets of the balloons, at 05:20 stage 2 got underway. Today, the participants can choose a distance, 20km, 40km or 60km.

After a tough stage 1 for many, the 20km and 40km loops were going to be popular for sure. Starting slowly, the spectacle around the runner’s was just too impressive not to stop, look, film and photograph. One runner said as she passed, “This is the most impressive thing I have ever seen, this is truly magnificent.”

And so, MDS Cappadocia is etched in the mind, the unique landscape, the unique bivouac location and the dawn spectacle of hot air balloons, this is MDS Cappadocia.

An early start was welcome, the heat of day 1 was relentless, so, several hours of calm temperatures facilitated a good start to the day before the heat started to rise around 09:00, by early afternoon, temperatures were at 34-degrees.

There were lots of smiling faces, as runner’s tested themselves over a distance that was a challenge for them.

The terrain was constantly changing showing the best of what Cappadocia has to offer. Single-track, fairy towers, Troglodyte caves, lush green landscape, tunnels, gorges, canyons and so much more.

With three distances on offer, finishing times were spread throughout the day, in the 60km distance, Serge Fortini crossed first in 9:37:29, Hugo Brincard 2^nd 9:57:54 and Alexandre Mallier 3^rd 10:34:41. Maryline Demangel, Axelle Bellec and Augistina Gonzalez Fileur were 1,2, 3 for the women, 12:24:41, 12:47:25 and 15:17:55.

The final finishers arrived after midnight, a full day of challenge lasting over 19-hours of intense heat, beautiful views and challenging trail, a showcase of determination and strength.