Karşıyaka One Team: Running for Awareness and Community with an Izmir Flavor
In January 2015, a new community was born in the Karşıyaka district of Izmir, Turkey, with a profound social mission. Karşıyaka One Team was established not just for running, but as a civil society movement aimed at creating awareness and fostering a group training culture that included everyone, from professional athletes and sedentary beginners to athletes with spinal paralysis. They have since grown into one of the most crowded and inspiring running teams in the entire country.
The philosophy of Karşıyaka One Team is to use running as a tool for social inclusion and public health. Their primary and most powerful aim is to create awareness of movement alongside athletes with spinal paralysis, promoting a truly inclusive vision for the sport. Their broader mission is to spread the group training culture to all of society, uniting people from all backgrounds and fitness levels under one banner. They have successfully created a community where everyone can train together and feel supported.
A Taste of Izmir: Culture and Activities
The culture of Karşıyaka One Team is a vibrant and authentic reflection of their home city. This is most charmingly expressed in the names of their five different pace groups, which are all named after famous Izmir pastries or local slang: the speedy #Domatcılar (10k), the #Gevrekçiler (7k), the #Kumrucular (6k), the #Çiğdemciler (5k), and the welcoming walk/run #Boyozcular (4k). Beyond their main runs, the crew's active schedule also includes functional training sessions on Thursdays and, during the winter, "One Team Extreme" trail trainings on Sundays, offering a comprehensive and engaging experience for all members.
Karşıyaka One Team extends a warm invitation to anyone and everyone in the Izmir area to join their large and inspiring community. With a variety of pace groups and training types, there is a place for every runner to find their fit and be part of their powerful movement. Interested individuals are encouraged to connect with them via their official social media channels.
The Izmir Running Scene
As one of the city's largest and most established teams, Karşıyaka One Team is a central pillar of the running community which creates a thriving and supportive ecosystem for athletes on the Aegean coast.
The city of İzmir, known as the "Pearl of the Aegean," is the third-largest city in Turkey and a major port with a history spanning thousands of years. The city is renowned for its modern, liberal, and laid-back atmosphere, as well as its stunning location on the Aegean coast. Its beautiful waterfront promenade, the Kordon, provides a spectacular backdrop for its passionate running community.
The running playground for Karşıyaka One Team is the beautiful district of Karşıyaka, situated on the northern and eastern shores of the Gulf of İzmir. Their runs often take them along the district's own famous waterfront promenade, offering stunning views back across the bay towards the city center. For their trail runs, the nearby parks and hills provide a fantastic natural escape. The premier racing event in the city is the Maratonİzmir, a major international marathon that attracts thousands of participants to its fast and scenic course each spring.