Global electrostatic ITG turbulence physics, together with background dynamics, has been simulated in a realistic tokamak core geometry using XGC1, a full-function 5D gyrokinetic particle code. An adiabatic electron model has been used. Some verification exercises of XGC1 have been presented. The simulation volume extends from the magnetic axis to the pedestal top inside the magnetic separatrix. Central heating is applied, and a number, momentum and energy conserving linearized Monte Carlo Coulomb collision is used. In the turbulent region, the ion temperature gradient profile self-organizes globally around R/L_T = (Rd logT/dr = major radius on the magnetic axis/temperature gradient length) 6.5–7, which is somewhat above the conventional nonlinear criticality of 6. The self-organized ion temperature gradient profile is approximately stiff against variation of heat source magnitude. Results indicate that the relaxation to a self-organized state proceeds in two phases, namely, a transient phase of excessively bursty transport followed by a 1/f avalanching phase. The bursty types of behaviour are allowed by the quasi-periodic collapse of local E × B shearing barriers.