Champions crowned at the Istanbul Half Marathon

The Istanbul Half Marathon, one of the world's top 11 "Gold Label" half marathons, was held in 10-kilometer and 21-kilometer categories.

Approximately 14 thousand athletes from 72 different countries participated in the event. In the elite athlete category, a total of 68 athletes from 34 different countries competed, including 47 men and 21 women. Five male and two female Turkish athletes competed in the elite category.

Starting from the Yenikapı Event Area, the athletes ran along the coastal road on Kennedy Street, passing through Kumkapı, Cankurtaran, Çatladıkapı, Sarayburnu, and the Sirkeci traffic lights, before turning toward Karaköy and crossing the Galata Bridge. After making a "U" turn at the traffic lights at the end of the bridge, the athletes passed through Eminönü, Unkapanı, Cibali, Abdülezelpaşa Street, and Ayvansaray, made another "U" turn at the Fatih district border before reaching the Haliç Bridge, and returned to Yenikapı using the same coastal road in the opposite direction.

In the men's elite category, Moroccan athlete Hicham Amghar finished first with a time of 59.46. Second place went to Ethiopian athlete Dinkalem Ayele with a time of 59.53, and third place went to his compatriot Gemechu Bute with a time of 1.00.02.

In the women's category, Kenyan athlete Sheila Chelangat finished first with a time of 1.06.46. Her compatriot Miriam Chebet took second place with a time of 1.07.11, and Ethiopian athlete Zewditu Aderaw finished third with a time of 1.08.16.

TURKISH HALF MARATHON CHAMPIONS ALSO CROWNED

The 19th Türkiye İş Bankası Istanbul Half Marathon also served as the Turkish Half Marathon Championship.

Ali Kaya, with a time of 1.02.42 in the men's category, and Özlem Kaya Alıcı, with a time of 1.13.32 in the women's category, were the top-finishing Turkish athletes.

Both athletes earned the title of 2024 Turkish Half Marathon Champion.

A TOTAL OF 8 MILLION LIRA IN PRIZE MONEY DISTRIBUTED

A total of 8 million lira in prize money was awarded to the top finishers in the half marathon.

In the elite athlete category, the winners in both the men's and women's divisions received 15 thousand dollars each. Second-place finishers will receive 10 thousand, third-place 8 thousand, fourth-place 6 thousand, fifth-place 5 thousand, sixth-place 4 thousand, seventh-place 3 thousand, and eighth-place 2 thousand dollars.

With bonuses awarded in various categories, the total prize money will reach 8 million lira.

ATHLETES AGED 16-18 RAN A HALF MARATHON FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TURKEY

For the first time in Turkey, athletes aged 16-18 competed in the 19th Istanbul Half Marathon.

The minimum age limit, which was previously 18, was lowered to 16 this year. It was the first time athletes in the 16-18 age range ran a half marathon.

Two thousand athletes in this age group participated in the event.

NGOS RAN FOR A CAUSE

In the 19th Istanbul Half Marathon, 34 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) ran to raise donations.

This year, 1,500 volunteers from 34 different NGOs participated in the half marathon. Approximately 12 million lira in donations had been raised in the half marathon over the last 3 years.

A total of 2,750 people served in the organization, including 500 volunteers, 800 security personnel, and 350 medical staff.

News Source: AA