Tajik Mountain Traverse

Happy International Mountain Day 🥳 Tajik Mountain Traverse is gearing up for the next edition in 2026!

Heidi Egeberg Johansen thank you for this wonderful article!

Tadik Mountain Traverse – Optur | The greatness of running Jeg vågner tidligt, henter vand og laver en lille kop kaffe. Jeg elsker de tidlige stunder hvor flodens fossen danner lydtæppe for det smukke sceneri jeg kigger ud på. Det er mindfulness fra morgenstunden. “Runners – Rise and shine. Today is your biggest challenge. Show the world what you are...

🏆🎉 Huge congratulations to 🇦🇲Gevorg Madzharyan for winning the Tajik Mountain Traverse 2025! 🏔️✨

This incredible 6-stage race through the breathtaking Fann Mountains is no easy feat, covering 165 km with a staggering 4100 m max elevation above sea level at peak Zmeya and over 7600 m of total elevation gain.

Gevorg’s journey was filled with challenging runs along ancient trails, rocky peaks, and lush valleys, all while soaking in the stunning natural beauty of glacial lakes and valleys. To celebrate this amazing achievement, his wife baked a beautiful cake that perfectly captures the joy of victory🎂❤️

Here’s to the spirit of adventure, perseverance, and the support of loved ones! 🥳🏃‍♂️💪

You can check Gevorg’s Strava activities here: https://www.strava.com/activities/15477485120/overview

🌄 Tajik Mountain Traverse 2025 — A Historic Finish! 🏔️✨

From the turquoise lakes of the Fann Mountains to high alpine passes, runners from 8 different countries came together this August for the Tajik Mountain Traverse (TMT) — running a 165 km, with total elevation 7600 meters, 6-stage journey across Tajikistan’s most breathtaking landscapes.

After six grueling days of running, climbing mountains, and pushing limits, we are proud to celebrate every single finisher and participant who made this adventure unforgettable.

🥇Gevorg Madzharyan (🇦🇲Armenia) — completed all 6 stages with an incredible total time of 1 day, 6 hours, 19 minutes.
🥈Heidi Johansen (🇩🇰Denmark) — fought through every climb to secure 2nd place on the podium and became the first woman to complete the Tajik Mountain Traverse in 1 day, 8 hours, 50 minutes.
🥉Daniel Leodolter (🇦🇹Austria) — strong and consistent across every stage, finishing in 1 day, 9 hours, 46 minutes.

Special recognition to:

- Alison Graham (USA🇺🇸) and Shahnoza Yusupova (Tajikistan🇹🇯) for conquering the full distance, embodying true TMT spirit.
- Simone Nistl (Germany🇩🇪), Kathryn Cassidy & Kyle Cassidy (Canada🇨🇦) — who gave inspiring performances on some stages.

🌍 With runners from Armenia, Germany, Austria, Denmark, USA, Tajikistan, and Canada, TMT 2025 has proven to be not just a race, but a celebration of endurance, culture, and community on one of the world’s most spectacular mountain stages.
To every runner, volunteer, and supporter — thank you for making history with us. This is just the beginning! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️💨

📸 Check out photos and videos from the race week!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/iAzwjH72SQrHCmNw9

ALMOST THERE!!!

WELCOME TO THE LAST STAGE!! This stage takes the racers down the beautiful and relaxing Sarytag valley all the way to Tajikistan’s Iskandarkul Lake. Iskandarkul is the most iconic lake in Tajikistan, famous for its beautiful colour and legends of being visited by Alexander the Great. With its 24.3km of trail & 708m of elevation gain, it is sure to leave racers on a high note!

See you at the finish line!!

To follow and track the racers, you can follow them here: https://en.follow.me.cz/tracking-en/TMT2025/?track_id=1778

PACK YOUR JACKET

Welcome to stage 5: The Kaznok Challenge. This is the ultimate stage of the TMT that will take the racers to new levels of altitude. Starting from Alouddin Lake runners will climb up past a few small lakes on the way up to Mutnyi Lake, the launching point for expeditions to Chimtarga and Energia Peaks and to Kaznok Pass which brings you to the highest point of the race 4091m. With 1796m of elevation gain over 35km, this challenge will leave you question your life decisions, before you ultimately realize… that you are a beast.

So get ready to sweat, shiver & cry, and we’ll meet you on the other side!!

To follow and track the racers, you can follow them here: https://en.follow.me.cz/tracking-en/TMT2025/?track_id=1777

BIG LAKE BREAK

Welcome to stage 4: Alouddin Lake & Pass. While being less kilometres, participants will go some of the steepest inclines of the whole race with 1864m over 19km! The Kulikalon plateau is covered by a series of glacial lakes. Here, racers will have amazing views to some of the highest peaks in the Fann mountains, towering above the plateau. The tallest is Peak Chimtarga which reaches a height of 5489m a.s.l.

While this trail takes you past the beautiful locations of the Alouddin pass, its leads up to “THE BIG LAKE” where there will be a special race feature! Racers can stop the race clock when they check in here to both rest, and enjoy the natural beauty! But don’t be fooled, you still have 900m to reach your peak of 3780 after this break! So enjoy it while it lasts!!

So get rested up!

To follow and track the racers, you can follow them here: https://en.follow.me.cz/tracking-en/TMT2025/?track_id=1776

STORE UP ON APRICOTS!

Welcome to stage 3 which starts in Ghuyrat’s Orchard (near Voru) and ends at Artuch Base Camp. The Orchard is a beautiful site with lots, & LOTS of delicious apricots. But what’s even more spectacular about this 23km day, are the 3 villages that you will pass by, which will be sure to place Tajik national pride on display! With 1764m of elevation gain, you will pass by peaks, villages, rivers and lakes! Make sure to take a dip in Chukurak Lake before the last 1.5 km of trail to get refreshed.

You’ve got this! You’re almost halfway through!

To follow and track the racers, you can follow them here: https://en.follow.me.cz/tracking-en/TMT2025/?track_id=1775

DID SOMEONE SAY MARATHON?

Welcome to day 2 which follows the Tavasang Pass to the beautiful town of Voru! Last year you said you wanted a marathon, and we listened! Over 42.2km with over 1,500m of elevation gain, this trail will make you feel a variety of emotions as you fight to hit the 3,307m peak & dance down the 2,846m of descent! Regardless, you will be hit with stunning views of peaks & valleys with the ending in the town of Voru - a place where houses are built on top of each other!

To follow and track the racers, you can follow them here: https://en.follow.me.cz/tracking-en/TMT2025/?track_id=1774

See you in Voru!!

WELCOME TO STAGE 1 - The 7 Lakes

Over the next 6 days we will be posting updates regarding the daily race - the stages, the winners, & the memorable moments!!

So welcome to the 7 Lakes trail. With 21.1 km of trail & 1043m of elevation gain, you are sure to have some breath taking moments as you run past the gorgeous 7 Lakes of Tajikistan. While this is not the highest section of the race, with 2400+m of max altitude, it will leave a lasting impact with its visual beauty!

To follow and track the racers, you can follow them here:
https://en.follow.me.cz/tracking-en/TMT2025/

See you at the 7th Lake!

THERE IS STILL TIME TO SIGN UP FOR THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME!!

In just over 2 weeks we will have people from all over the world come to beautiful Tajikistan and experience the adventure of a lifetime with the TAJIK MOUNTAIN TRAVERSE!!!

Over 6 stages, participants will face gorgeous terrain and mountains with 7500+ meters of elevation gain & 165+km of trail!

Here’s a sneak peak of some of the places, peaks and adventures that await on the various stages!!

To sign up for our race, head to:

https://www.tajikmountaintraverse.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafN4cMN-5OMVGC8sTwiYmm3btkcohYEd7-4RJBGRkP33UKBUUXdHVinkq2p6g_aem_gGM7FCMarvIwc2GimlyJbw

See you there!!!