The MDS Cappadocia returns for its second edition, bringing trail runners back to one of the most visually surreal landscapes on Earth.
Set across three demanding stages over four days, this is not your typical desert race, on the contrary, it’s a technical, high-impact trail event through ancient terrain steeped in history and visual splendour.
Runners choose between 70km, 100km, or 120km of total distance, stages 1 and 3 are the same for everyone, stage 2 participants choose 20/40 or 60km.
Each course is carved through a landscape that feels pulled from another planet.
This isn’t a race of endless dunes, Cappadocia stands unique in the MDS format with no sand. It’s a test of grit over rock, gravel, and dust trails, winding through steep valleys, high plateaus, and narrow chimney-like formations.
The terrain shifts constantly. One moment you’re powering up a canyon, the next you’re cruising past thousand-year-old cave dwellings.
Cappadocia’s late summer weather is unpredictable. Days can scorch above 30°C (86°F), while nights drop sharply in temperature. As with all MDS events, participants will sleep in individual tents in a stunning location set within an amphitheatre of rock.
The sky, often cloudless, fills at dawn with dozens of hot air balloons, silent giants drifting above the rock spires and carved cliffs. Arguably, one of the most unique and memorable sights in any MDS event.
Whether you’re going for the 70km or pushing through the full 120km, MDS Cappadocia strips away distractions and puts the challenge squarely on participant versus the trail: raw, remote, and unforgettable.
More information on the MDS website HERE
Interested in another MDS event? Go to marathondessables.com
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IAN CORLESS 