Turkic Countries Unite Under the Turkic Alliance of Long Runs Running Series

Runners completing the marathon series in these nations will earn a unique medal and be recognized as international athletes. More than just a series of races, this partnership celebrates the unity of Turkic cultures while paving the way for a dynamic era in international sports tourism.
The organizers of five major races have announced the creation of the Turkic Alliance of Long Runs (TAN)—the first running association in the Central Asia and Caucasus region. TAN will unite marathon runners from four countries to explore Turkic culture and boost the regional running community.
Inspired by international series like SuperHalfs and the Abbott World Marathon Majors, TAN aims to elevate regional races to a global level. SuperHalfs encourages runners to complete six half marathons in six different countries for a special SuperRunner status, while the Abbott World Marathon Majors brings together elite marathoners from four continents, with world records set by stars like Eliud Kipchoge and Kelvin Kiptum in recent years.
The mission of TAN is to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of Turkic peoples through a series of races, inspiring runners to achieve new milestones and broaden their horizons.
The name "TAN" means "sunrise" or "morning dawn" in Turkic languages, symbolizing a fresh start and a burst of inspiration. With its focus on cultural heritage and scenic routes, TAN is set to open new horizons in sports tourism and unite diverse cultures through the joy of running.
Which races will be included in the TAN series?
Date: May 2025
Country: Baku, Azerbaijan
Heydar Aliyev Foundation has held a half marathon to develop the sports infrastructure and healthy lifestyle among the population since 2016. Last year, 18 thousand runners took part in the event. They started at the State Flag Square and covered an exciting route with the sights of the capital city under the slogan “Beat the wind.” The event is open for the city residents as well: every year it hosts fan-zones, games and concerts.
“Baky always supports the process of unification into productive and friendly alliances oriented to strengthen and develop the Turkic world and brotherly Turkic states. Unification of the largest regional runs can also be explained with a range of reasons: commercial interest from global sponsors, interest from participants who are now becoming a part of the large international event, and interest from the visitors who wish to visit ones of the most beautiful cities in the region. In addition, I am absolutely sure that the level of preparation and participation of local runners will significantly increase, since now they will have a regular opportunity to compete with the best athletes in the region,” said the CEO of Sport Marketing Group, Deputy Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Baku Marathon Ayaz Akhmedov.
Bishkek Snow Leopard Run
Date: 21 September 2025
Country: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Bishkek Snow Leopard Run is the main run race in Kyrgyzstan, which takes place along the central streets of the capital city showing breathtaking views of the mountains and significant sights. The event engages more than 4.5 thousand people and 20 countries — from the little ones aged 3 to professional athletes. Its mission is environmental sustainability, attracting attention to saving snow leopards and fragile mountain ecosystems.
“This is a bright and charitable race with a unique atmosphere, where the participants create something bigger than a usual sporting event,” notes Arslan Maldybayev, the CEO of Nomad Sport.
Date: 28 September 2025
Country: Almaty, Kazakhstan
The largest run in Central Asia takes place in the foothills of Zailiyskiy Alatau and offers runners an exciting race along ascending routes and steep slopes. The international event gathers 15.6 thousand runners from more than 60 countries.
The marathon organisers, “Courage to be the First” Corporate Fund, promote the idea of inclusiveness in sports and implement charity projects for children with special needs. Registration for the Almaty Marathon 2025 is open. Registration for the Almaty Marathon 2025 is open.
“The TAN is about the sport which unites, it is about enhancing connections and respect to our mutual background. Unification of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan marathons under the TAN umbrella opens new opportunities to our countries: sports tourism development, international participant engagement, and higher level of run race organisation. This project will level up our marathons, contribute to the economic development of the regions, popularisation of national sights, and strengthening of friendship between the nations,” says Galimzhan Yessenov, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of “Courage to be the First” CF.
Date: 26 October 2025
Country: Turkistan, Kazakhstan
Since 2022, the marathon has introduced the participants to the ancient history and modern life of Turkistan, a spiritual centre of Kazakhstan. Last Turkistan Marathon gathered 3 thousand runners from 21 countries of the world. The event popularises healthy lifestyle and delivers a positive effect to local economics. The main organiser is “Courage to be the First” Corporate Fund. The marathon is also widely supported by the local Akimat and businesses that are ready to develop the city to become a sports centre of an international level.
Date: November 2025
Country: Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan Culture and Art Development Foundation has held the Samarkand Marathon – the international charity run race, since 2019. The races help solve the tasks as relates to drawing the society’s attention to the issue of cultural and artistic facilities inclusiveness, promoting healthy lifestyle, and developing sports tourism in Uzbekistan. In 2022, the Samarkand Marathon was included in the list of qualification run races for the world championship in age groups marathon in Abbott WMM Wanda age Group World Championship.
“The Samarkand Marathon is proud of becoming a part of TAN, a long distance run association. This is an opportunity to expand the demographic, to improve international recognition, and to strengthen the relations with the colleagues from the other countries. The unique cultural legacy and scenic routes of Uzbekistan will introduce a special atmosphere to the series together with an opportunity to get to know the rich history of the region. Working together, we create not only a series of sporting events, but a platform for experience exchange, sport popularisation, and nations friendship strengthening. We believe that this initiative will become an unforgettable one for all the participants, giving them exceptional experience and inspiring them for new achievements,” says Mirkhan Sagitov, a Supervisor of the Samarkand Marathon race run series.
As of today, there has been no strict time limit for completing the entire TAN series and earning a finisher medal. It might be reconsidered with time.
TAN implementation mechanics
The first regional running series offers the participants to run 5 races in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. After passing all the races, a TAN runner will receive a unique medal of a finisher.
TAN — across the Turkic lands we run as one.
Additional information: Dinara Issenova, dinara.i@almaty-marathon.kz.