FOLLOWING THE TRAIL OF TIME, BEYOND LIMITS:
EFES ULTRA
The Ephesus Ultra Marathon is an endurance and discovery adventure taking place in Selçuk, İzmir, on the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ephesus, one of the most magnificent legacies of human history.
We are not just a sports organization;
We are the architects of a time journey that takes our runners through millennia-old marble streets, in the shadow of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, in the presence of the Virgin Mary, and through the wild nature of the Aegean.
With our courses ranging in difficulty from 5K to 120K, we offer everyone, from elite athletes to those taking their first steps into trail running, the opportunity to run “In the Footsteps of Time”. Our mission is to create an unforgettable experience that respects nature, is sustainable, and blends sport with culture. If you’re ready, we await you in this unique landscape where your footsteps will meet the echoes of thousands of years ago.
Ephesus Ancient City
Izmir, a port city between East and West, has a history dating back to 8600 BC with the ancient city of Ephesus.
What makes the region so important is that it has hosted many civilizations throughout history. Among the civilizations it has hosted are the Romans, the Byzantine Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and many Anatolian principalities.
Being a port city, its location on important trade routes and its fertile lands have made the region both dynamic and significant.
Artemis
Two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World are located in our country. One of them is the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus. Dating back to 550 BC, the temple was entirely made of marble. Only two marble fragments remain today from the temple located in Selçuk district of İzmir.
Artemis is known as the moon goddess in mythology. However, the Artemis in Ephesus is a different Artemis. It is thought to be a cult of the ancient Anatolian goddess Cybele. It’s a somewhat complex subject, but it can be said that there is an intersection between the beliefs.
