The date coincides with the first visit of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic, to Ankara.
[2] The course is set in the centre of the city, starting at Dikmen Valley Park and finishing at the front of Ankara Central Station.
[3] Initially an event for men only, a women's section was introduced in 1992, and races for both genders are now held annually.
In the men's race, winners include European medallist Halil Akkaş and Mediterranean Games champions Ekrem Koçak and Mehmet Terzi.
Double Olympic silver medallist Elvan Abeylegesse and Binnaz Uslu (runner-up at the European Cross Country Championships) have won on the women's side.