Elite Athlete Lineup Confirmed for Istanbul Marathon

The Türkiye İş Bankası 48th Istanbul Marathon, organized by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, will start on Sunday, November 1. The race is part of the World Athletics Gold Label road running events. This year, 47 elite athletes will take part in the marathon. Including all categories, around 45,000 people are expected to take to the course.

In the women's race, last year's champion, Ethiopia's Bizuager Aderra, is returning to Istanbul to defend her title. Aderra achieved her biggest victory of her career last year, setting a personal best of 2:26:19. Kenya's Judith Korir is considered the favorite on the start list. Korir's personal best of 2:18:20, set at the 2022 World Championships, stands out.

In the men's race, all eyes are on Dejene Debela, who will run in Istanbul for the third consecutive time. Debela won last year in 2:11:40 and aims to reclaim his title in his first marathon of this season. His compatriot Amdework Walelegn and Sufaro Woliyi are considered the strongest rivals. Woliyi improved his best time by about three minutes this spring in Seoul, running 2:04:35.

For domestic athletes, the race will also serve as the Turkish Marathon Championship. Among the men, Hüseyin Can is seen as the most ambitious name for the national title, thanks to his career best of 2:10:03 at the Seville Marathon. In the women's field, Hasibe Demir and Dilan Atak Kuluk will face each other again following their performances at the İzmir Half Marathon.