4000 participants finished the first "Almaty half-marathon"

Today, four thousand sports and a healthy lifestyle fans ran the first “Almaty Half Marathon” along the city streets. Athletes from Kazakhstan, USA, France, Japan, Russia, Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan and other countries took part in the competition. 

The leaders of a 10 km distance race were first to cross the finish line. Among men Dmitrii Ivanchukov from Merke (32 minute 9 second) and among women Madina Kerimova from Taldykorgan, (36 minute 33 second) came first.

The fastest half marathon runners (at a distance of 21 km) were Ilya Tyapkin (Bishkek.), who ran the distance in 1 hours 5 minute 53 second. The leader among women was Sitora Khamidova from Termez (Uzbekistan), who was after the absolute champion for only 8 minutes. 

- “Almaty Half Marathon” was held for the first time, but now it will become an annual autumn event. Within half a year, on April 21, we will meet all the participants at the “Almaty Marathon” - an event that tens of thousands of runners wait for. All our races are held in the framework of the preparation for this main running competition in Central Asia,”- comments Saltanat Kazybayeva, director of the Corporate Fund “Courage to be the first”.

41 participants over 60 years old were at the start, 16 of which covered the half marathon distance.

-  I participate in races for a long time. I try not to miss competitions not only in Almaty and Kazakhstan, but also races that take place in other countries. I have never done this professionally, but I ran 150,000 km in my entire life,”says Marat Baltabayev, a 71-year-old participant in the half marathon. Marat Sharipovich recently won 3 gold medals at the I Asia-Pacific Games of Veterans. - We have a motto “Sport is our religion, and running is our prayer.” We always remember it. I recommend everyone to play sports and keep yourself in good shape!