The 46th Istanbul Marathon has begun! How much is the first-place prize?

The marathon started at 09:00, approximately 250 meters before the 15 July Martyrs Bridge toll booths on the Anatolian side.

The starting signal for the marathon was given jointly by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, Deputy Governor of Istanbul Ünal Kılıçarslan, Turkish Athletics Federation President Ahmet Karadağ, Turkish National Paralympic Committee President Murat Aksu, General Manager of Sports Services Veli Ozan Çakır, Istanbul Provincial Director of Youth and Sports Muhittin Özbay, Spor Istanbul General Manager Renay Onur, and Türkiye İş Bankası General Manager Hakan Aran.

The marathon, which holds the title of "the world's only intercontinental marathon" and is included in the "Gold Label" category of World Athletics, is being held for the 46th time.

In his speech before the start, IMM Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu stated that they were at one of the most beautiful marathons in the world, saying, "It is the most beautiful marathon in the world because this marathon takes place between two continents. Welcome to Istanbul, everyone, and I congratulate you all."

COURSE

Participants in the marathon will cross the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, then turn off at the Beşiktaş junction to descend to Beşiktaş via Barbaros Boulevard, and reach Karaköy by following the coastal road. After the Galata Bridge, the athletes will turn toward Sirkeci, follow the coastal road, and return from in front of the Bakırköy Air Force Academy in the direction they came from.

Continuing along the coastal road toward Gülhane Park, the athletes will pass through the park and emerge onto Sultanahmet Square via the tramway route. The race will end at the "Hippodrome," the meeting and sports center of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires, between the entrance gate of the Blue Mosque and the Obelisk.

PRIZES

In the 46th Istanbul Marathon, a cash prize of 45,000 dollars each will be awarded to the winners in the men's and women's categories.

Those who finish second in the marathon will receive 20,000 dollars each, and those who finish third will receive 10,000 dollars each.

For Turkish athletes, those who finish the marathon in first place will receive 50,000 Turkish Lira each, second place will receive 40,000 Turkish Lira each, and third place will receive 30,000 Turkish Lira each.

Additionally, if the course records of 2.09.44 for men and 2.18.35 for women are broken, an extra bonus of 5,000 dollars will be awarded. A total of 180,000 dollars in prizes will be distributed among the elite athletes.

News Source: AA