Thousands participate in Istanbul’s Cross-Continental Marathon

By. Justin Mays

The 43rd Istanbul Marathon took place on the 7th of November 2021 with around 20.000 Istanbul residents participating in the race. The participants competed in three categories, the 42-kilometer marathon, a 15-kilometer race, and a public run which was held on an 8-kilometer route. The only intercontinental marathon in the world allowed athletes to run around the city’s many historic sites including Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque.

In order to prevent the spread of Covid-19, the athletes, officials, spectators, and volunteers had to submit their valid vaccination cards or PCR test results.

 Istanbul’s Mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu was at the starting point of the race together with the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, and IYI (Good) party leader, Meral Aksener, and other officials. The residents also managed to enjoy themselves on the 15 July Martyrs Bridge taking pictures amid the cold weather. 

Victor Kiplangat from Uganda finished the 42-kilometer race in two hours, 10 minutes, and 18 seconds in the men’s category. Robert Kipkemboi from Kenya reached the finish line five seconds later. Solomon Mutai, also from Uganda, come third as he finished seven seconds behind Kiplangat. 

In the women’s category, Kenyans Jerotich and Jackline Chepngeno completed the race in two hours, 24 minutes, and 15 seconds, and two hours, 24 minutes, and 21 seconds respectively.  Ayantu Abdi from Ethiopia finished the race in the 3rd position in two hours, 24 minutes, and 45 seconds.

Those who finished first, second and third in men’s and women’s categories received $35,000, $20,000, and $10,000, respectively. All athletes who finished the race under six hours and 20 minutes in the 42-kilometer marathon and under two hours and 15 minutes in the 15-kilometer were awarded their medals at the end of the race.