Anniversary Almaty Marathon Takes Place in Southern Capital after a Long Break Amid Pandemic

This year the Almaty Marathon was held for the tenth time. The sports event brought together residents and guests of the southern capital, fans of a healthy lifestyle. All participants checked their status via the ASHYQ app to ensure safety at the event. Wearing the face mask all the time before the start and immediately after the finish was a compulsory condition for admission to the start camp.

The Almaty Marathon took place for the first time after a long break. The previous marathon was held in April 2019. In 2020, the event was cancelled in connection with the coronavirus pandemic.

Traditionally, the following distances were available to the event participants: marathon runners (42.2 km) started running first at 7:30 a.m.; they were followed by the 21.1-km distance runners, then runners and participants of the Nordic Walking for 10 km. Residents of Almaty became the first finishing marathoners. They are Islam Amangos and Dana Gussarova (among girls).

Shokhrukh Davlatov from Tashkent took gold of the 21-km distance. Assem Kabidoldanova from Almaty won the main medal in the Half Marathon Distance among girls.

The three winners among men and women for 42 km and 21 km shared the prize fund of KZT 4.6 million. Marathoners (42.2 km) were awarded KZT 600,000 for the first place, KZT 500,000 - for the second place and KZT 400,000 - for the third place. Half marathon runners were awarded as follows: 1^st place – KZT 350,000, 2^nd place – KZT 250,000, 3^rd place – KZT 200,000.

“Almaty Marathon was postponed twice this year. Despite all obstacles, we successfully organized this event and gave every runner the opportunity to express themselves and finally show results of their trainings,” comments Almaty Marathon Director Saltanat Kazybayeva. “This year, many residents of Almaty and guests from other cities of Kazakhstan took part in the competition. However, fewer foreign runners participated in the event this year due to difficulties with border crossing. Nevertheless, we managed to obtain permissions for about 60 athletes from Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to enter the country.”

On the track, our participants were welcomed by musical bands, an orchestra, and cheerleaders. The finishers were greeted by musical bands on the stage.

Some portion of the entry fees paid by participants is spent on charitable goals. A total of 22 charitable projects have been implemented in Almaty and the Almaty Region for these years thanks to the participants and partners of the Almaty Marathon. Following the 10^th Almaty Marathon, a sports base for runners will be built in Almaty in addition to two sports grounds for children in Almaty and Shelek.

Registration for the Almaty Half Marathon will be available already on Monday, 27 September. The event is scheduled for 17 April 2022.

The Almaty Marathon is supported by the Almaty Akimat.

General partner of the Almaty Marathon: Kaspi.kz

Honorary partners: Sulpak and 1XBET.

Organizers of the Almaty Half Marathon: “Courage to be the First” Corporate Fund, fitness club World Class Almaty, Sh.Yessenov Science and Education Foundation and multisports Youtube-channel #Different you.