48th Istanbul Marathon Starts with More Than 45,000 Registered Participants

The 48th Istanbul Marathon started today at 9:00 a.m. on the Anatolian side, next to the metrobus stop at the 15 July Martyrs Bridge. The marathon holds World Athletics Gold Label status and is the only marathon run between continents. The event is jointly organized by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Youth and Sports Services Department and İBB Spor İstanbul.

The start signal was given by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Acting Mayor Nuri Aslan, Turkish Athletics Federation President Ahmet Karadağ, Spor İstanbul General Manager Bilge Donuk and other protocol members. A total of 43 elite athletes are competing, including 16 women and 27 men. In the men's field, 2024 champion Dejene Debela, Amdework Walelegn and Sufaro Woliyi stand out. In the women's field, last year's champion Bizuager Aderra, Judith Korir and Veronicah Maina are drawing attention.

A total of 45,679 people registered. The program includes 42-kilometer and 15.5-kilometer races, as well as corporate, public and wheelchair races.

The 42-kilometer course begins with a crossing from the 15 July Martyrs Bridge to the European side. The athletes will reach the historic peninsula via Beşiktaş and the Galata Bridge. Continuing along Kennedy Avenue to Bakırköy, the runners will turn back and follow the coastal road to Gülhane Park, finishing the race at Sultanahmet Square.

The first-place finishers in the 42-kilometer race will each receive $50,000, both men and women. If the course record is broken, the champions will also receive an additional $5,000 each. The total prize money for the top 8 finishers has been set at $190,000. Athletes in the local athletes category who finish in the top 5 will receive 500,000 lira, and a total of 12 million lira will be awarded to podium finishers across all categories.