Dr Otgen Clinic guide

The Lykos Half Marathon is a road race in Denizli, Türkiye, run between the Pamukkale travertines and the ancient city of Hierapolis, with a 5K fun run, a 10K and a 21K. The 2026 edition took place on Sunday, 25 October. Dr Otgen Clinic Denizli supports runners preparing for the race and recovering from it with pre-race check-ups, runner health assessments and IV nutrition (fluids, vitamins and minerals given through a vein) planned after a doctor’s assessment. This guide first covers the race and the course, then what runners should keep in mind about their health.

What is the Lykos Half Marathon?

The Lykos Half Marathon (Lykos Yarı Maratonu) is a road race held in the Pamukkale district of Denizli. It runs between the Pamukkale travertines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Hierapolis, an ancient city known as a healing centre in Roman times. The last 2 km of every course pass through the ancient city, so runners reach the finish on stone-paved streets near the theatre, the baths and the antique pool.

In the 2026 programme, race kits were handed out on 23–24 October at Forum Denizli, and registered runners were invited to a pasta party on the evening of 24 October. On race day the 21K started at 09:00 and the 5K and 10K at 09:08. Free shuttles ran from pick-up points in the city centre to the start area.

  • 21K (half marathon) and 10K: overall rankings for women and men plus age categories from 16–34 up to 85+
  • 5K fun run: free of charge, overall ranking only
  • A finisher’s medal for everyone who completes the race; total prize money for 2026 was announced as 1,510,000 TL
  • Runners aged 16–18 need a signed parental consent form
  • The race is listed on Adım Adım’s “Run for Good” (İyilik Peşinde Koş) charity fundraising platform

The course: Pamukkale’s climbs and the Hierapolis finish

Most of the course is asphalt; the last 2 km run on the narrow, stone-paved streets of the ancient city. Road running shoes that suit both asphalt and stone are recommended. In the narrow section inside the ancient city, slower runners and walkers are asked to keep right and leave the left side free for overtaking.

In 2026 a new segment was added to every course: the Foton Climb Stage. This section is about 1.57 km long with roughly 93 m of total climbing at an average gradient of about 6%. The three fastest women and three fastest men on the stage received separate prizes.

  • 21K: about 21.1 km with roughly 268 m of elevation gain; the main climbs are at about km 9–11 and km 13–14.6 (the Foton Climb Stage)
  • 10K: about 10.1 km with roughly 174 m of elevation gain; climb stage at about km 2–3.6
  • 5K: about 5.6 km with roughly 140 m of elevation gain; climb stage at about km 2–3.6
  • On the 21K, water is available at six points: km 4.0, 8.4, 10.7, 14.6, 16.8 and 19.0; on the 5K there is one water station at km 3.6
  • Cut-offs: 3 hours for the 21K (1 hour 30 minutes at km 11) and 2 hours for the 5K and 10K

This profile is different from a flat city half marathon: heart rate and effort rise quickly on the climbs, while the descents put more load on the thigh muscles and knees. That is why both a pre-race health check and a post-race recovery plan matter.

Why a pre-race check-up matters

Under the organisers’ rules, anyone without a health reason not to run may take part, which leaves much of the responsibility with the runner. An assessment a few weeks before the race can reveal hidden risks, especially if you are preparing for your first half marathon, returning to running after a long break, are over 35, have a family history of heart disease or sudden death at a young age, or live with a chronic condition.

At Dr Otgen Clinic Denizli, a runner’s check-up starts with a doctor’s examination. Which tests you need depends on your age, training load, symptoms and history. Topics that are commonly covered include:

  • Personal and family heart history, and any chest pain, palpitations, breathlessness or dizziness during exercise
  • Blood pressure, pulse and a physical examination
  • Blood tests: blood count, iron stores, vitamin B12 and vitamin D, electrolytes, kidney and liver function
  • Where needed, an ECG and referral to the relevant specialty for further cardiac assessment
  • A nutrition and fluid plan that fits your training phase

Plan the check-up at the start of your training block, not a few days before the race. If something such as an iron or vitamin deficiency turns up, there is then time to correct it.

When and how can IV nutrition help a runner?

IV nutrition (IV therapy) means giving fluids, electrolytes, vitamins and minerals through a vein. For runners it is most often considered after a long, hot race with marked fluid loss, when nausea makes it hard to drink enough, or when tests have shown a vitamin or mineral deficiency. At our clinic the content and the procedure are planned individually after a doctor’s assessment; a healthcare professional places the line and monitors you throughout.

To be clear: IV nutrition does not replace a balanced diet, drinking fluids and electrolytes by mouth, or sleep, and it is not a performance enhancer. Most healthy runners recover well with food and fluids taken by mouth. Your doctor decides when IV support makes sense.

  • Before any infusion, your heart, kidney and blood pressure status and the medicines you take are reviewed
  • Low blood sodium (hyponatraemia) can occur after long races; giving fluids indiscriminately can then be harmful, so if it is suspected, tests come first
  • The vitamins and doses are chosen according to your deficiency and needs; there is no one-size-fits-all “cocktail”

An important note for licensed athletes subject to doping control: the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List bans intravenous infusions totalling more than 100 mL per 12-hour period, except those legitimately received during hospital treatment, surgical procedures or clinical diagnostic investigations. If you are a licensed athlete, always tell your doctor before any IV treatment.

The first days after the race: recovery

In the first hours after the finish, walking for a few minutes instead of stopping abruptly, replacing lost fluid and salt, and eating a meal with carbohydrate and protein all help recovery. After Pamukkale’s rolling course, delayed muscle soreness in the thighs for a few days is to be expected; light walking and a good night’s sleep are usually enough.

For many runners, the thermal waters of Pamukkale and Karahayıt are part of post-race rest. Staying in very hot water for a long time straight after the race, before you have replaced lost fluids, can cause dizziness and a drop in blood pressure. Drink first, keep thermal pool sessions short and do not go alone.

For runners with marked fatigue, fluid loss or nausea after the race, we also offer IV drips at your hotel or home in Denizli: given by a nurse with a doctor’s approval or prescription, and available 24/7.

When to seek medical help without waiting

The following signs are not ordinary race fatigue. If any of them appear during or after the race, contact the medical team without delay and call 112 (the emergency number in Türkiye) if needed:

  • Chest pain, chest pressure, or an irregular or very fast heartbeat
  • Fainting or feeling about to faint
  • Confusion, severe headache or repeated vomiting — these can be signs of low sodium
  • Dark, cola-coloured urine, or not passing urine for hours, together with severe muscle pain
  • Signs of heat stroke such as a rising body temperature and stopping sweating

A preparation timeline for the next Lykos Half Marathon

The date of the next Lykos Half Marathon will be announced by the organisers. When planning your preparation, the framework below can help:

  • 10–12 weeks before: check-up and blood tests; correcting any deficiencies on your doctor’s advice
  • During training: at least one hill session a week, plus controlled downhill running to get used to the descents
  • 2–3 weeks before: testing your race shoes, kit and fluid-and-gel plan on a long run
  • Race week: no new foods, supplements or treatments; prioritise sleep
  • After the race: recovery support after a doctor’s assessment if needed

For runners travelling to Denizli

Dr Otgen Clinic Denizli is about 20 km (roughly 20 minutes) by road from the Pamukkale travertines. Runners travelling to Denizli for the race can schedule a check-up in the days before the race and IV nutrition and a follow-up visit afterwards, all within the same trip. For appointments and package details, contact us via WhatsApp or the contact form.

Frequently asked questions

When and where did the Lykos Half Marathon take place?

The 2026 race took place on Sunday, 25 October in Denizli, around the Pamukkale travertines and the ancient city of Hierapolis. The 21K started at 09:00 and the 5K and 10K at 09:08. The date and registration details of the next race are announced on lykosyarimaratonu.com.

Is the Lykos Half Marathon course hard?

It is more demanding than a flat city race. The 21K course has roughly 268 m of elevation gain, and the Foton Climb Stage of about 1.57 km averages around 6%. The last 2 km are run on the stone-paved streets of the ancient city.

Do I need an IV drip before the race?

A healthy runner does not need a routine IV drip before the race; a balanced diet and drinking fluids by mouth are the basis of preparation. If tests show a deficiency, your doctor decides how to correct it. Licensed athletes should also keep WADA’s 100 mL per 12 hours rule in mind.

What does a runner’s check-up include?

A doctor’s examination, questions about heart history, blood pressure and pulse, and tests such as a blood count, iron stores, vitamins, electrolytes and kidney and liver function are commonly covered. The exact content depends on your age, history and training load.

Can I go into a thermal pool after the race?

For most runners, yes — but replace the fluid you have lost first, stay in the hot water only briefly and get out straight away if you feel dizzy. If you have a heart condition or blood pressure problems, ask your doctor before using a thermal pool.

Dr Otgen Clinic Medical Editors · Last updated: October 27, 2026