The Istanbul Marathon (Turkish: İstanbul Maratonu, also known as Türkiye İş Bankası Istanbul Marathon for sponsorship reasons) is an international athletics event hosted in Istanbul, Turkey, in November, first held in 1979.[3] It is the only marathon in the world whose course spans two continents, Asia and Europe.[a]

Istanbul Marathon
Starting point of the 28th Eurasia Marathon, 2016
DateNovember
LocationIstanbul, Turkey
Event typeRoad
DistanceMarathon
Primary sponsorTürkiye İş Bankası
EstablishedOctober 1979 (45 years ago) (1979-10)
Course recordsMen: 2:09:44 (2019)
Kenya Daniel Kibet
Women: 2:18:35 (2018)
Kenya Ruth Chepngetich
Official siteIstanbul Marathon
Participants3,006 finishers (2021)[1]
1,496 finishers (2020)[2]
2,854 (2019)
3,404 (2018)
571 (2003)
"Welcome to Europe" sign on Istanbul's Bosphorus Bridge during the 28th Eurasia Marathon in 2006

The three race categories for men and women are: marathon, 15 km and public run. A special category for disabled persons exists also. Participation in the public run was with 150,000 people a record set in 1998.

The event is organised by Istanbul Sports Events, which also hosts the annual Istanbul Half Marathon in April.[5]

History

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The Istanbul marathon has previously been known as "Vodafone Istanbul Marathon" as well as "Intercontinental Istanbul Eurasia Marathon".

In 1997, Moges Taye of Ethiopia set the course record for men at the time of 2:13:37.

In 2005, Madina Biktagirova of Russia set the course record for women at the time of 2:34:25.

In 2006, Madina Biktagirova broke her own course record for women from the previous year with 2:28:21, and the course record for men was broken by the Lithuanian athlete Mindaugas Pukstas in 2:12:52. Also, for the first time in 2006, time keeping for marathon and 15 km was effected by means of a single-use chip, which was placed on the athlete's shoe tied by shoelaces. An athlete without this so-called champion-chip would not receive an official time. In addition, the Istanbul Eurasia Marathon that year incorporated the 4th European Police Marathon Championships for the first time, which contributed to top results.[6]

In 2012, the month the marathon was generally held was changed from October to November. That year, the 34th edition of the marathon was named "Vodafone Istanbul Eurasia Marathon". Also that year, because the marathon had become a significant marathon event, it was awarded IAAF Gold Label status.[7]

In 2013, around 20,000 local and foreigner athletes participated at the road race in different categories, among them wheelchair runners. The event saw also for the first time security measures concerning the bridge stability. Two years before, the running crowd on the Bosphorus Bridge caused dangerous instability by self-induced vibrations in the structure which could result in its failure. Influenced by this lesson, several start times with ten minutes intervals were held after the first start, which took place on 9:30 hours. The groups were not allowed to run on the bridge rather than to walk only. In order to avoid stopping for taking pictures, the outmost lanes of the bridge were blocked by barriers.[8]

Course

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External images
  Course map of full marathon in 2020[9]
  Course map of full marathon in 2021[10]

The course is asphalt, mostly flat and is free of traffic. It is the only course in the world where the marathon includes two continents, Asia and Europe, in one race.[a]

The marathon starts on the Asian side of the city, shortly before the First Bosphorus Bridge, crosses the bridge giving an outstanding view of the Bosphorus and Istanbul, passes many historic sites including the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, and ends in the İnönü Stadium in the European part. In all, the race crosses three bridges, one over the Bosporus and two over the Golden Horn. The course changed three times over the years, therefore winning scores differ.

In 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic, the course was altered to begin and end in Yenikapı and cross the Bosphorus Bridge twice, so runners would start and finish the marathon in Europe, but both enter and exit Asia during the run.[9]

Qualification

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To register for the marathon, participants must be 18 years of age or older on the race day.

In 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic, athletes over the age of 65 were disallowed from participating in the marathon.[11]

Prizes

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Money prizes are given to the first 25 male athletes and 15 best female athletes in the marathon category, the first 3 ranks receiving US$35,000, US$15,000 and US$10,000 respectively. An athlete, who broke the course record, is awarded with a bonus of US$5,000. Bonuses exists also for times run between 2:14:00 and 2:04:55 or better for men and between 2:33:00 and 2:15:25 or better for women, scaled from US$500 up to US$100,000. Prizes are also provided for the best ranking athletes in other competition categories.

In 2013, the total amount of the money prizes was US$1 million.[8]

Winners

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Key:    Course record (in bold)

Ed. Year Men's winner Time[b] Women's winner Time[b] Rf.
1 1979   Hasan Saylam (TUR) 2:35:40 winner data not available
2 1980   Necmettin Sağlam (TUR) 2:36:00
3 1981   Süleyman Sılacı (TUR) 2:31:40
4 1982   İsmail Karagöz (TUR) 2:41:13
5 1983   Ian Thompson (GBR) 2:32:35
6 1984   Mehmet Yurdadön (TUR) 2:22:30
7 1985   Mehmet Terzi (TUR) 2:12:50
8 1986   Hanifi Atmaca (TUR) 2:23:20
9 1987   Jens Wørzner (DEN) 2:16:08   Fatma Erkan (TUR) 3:08:36
10 1988   Ahmet Altun (TUR) 2:15:06   Keriman Günaydin (TUR) 3:12:35
11 1989   Aydın Çeken (TUR) 2:27:41 winner data not available
12 1990   Gazi Aşıkoğlu (TUR) 2:23:09   Ayşegül Battal (TUR) 3:46:24
13 1991   Terry Mitchell (GBR) 2:22:09   Jacqueline Davis (GBR) 2:49:24
14 1992   Cihangir Demirel (TUR) 2:23:28   Aurica Buia (ROM) 2:46:29
15 1993   Jacob Ngunzu (KEN) 2:20:43   Yelena Sipatova (RUS) 2:48:10
16 1994   Bigboy Goromonzi (ZIM) 2:24:58   Serap Aktaş (TUR) 2:46:42
17 1995   Stephen Langat (KEN) 2:17:56   Firaya Sultanova (RUS) 2:34:44
18 1996   Stephen Langat (KEN) 2:18:51   Elena Plastinina (UKR) 2:37:38
19 1997   Moges Taye (ETH) 2:13:37   Adriana Barbu (ROM) 2:34:39
20 1998   Moges Taye (ETH) 2:15:28   Natalya Galushko (BLR) 2:38:10
21 1999   Moges Taye (ETH) 2:13:58   Adriana Barbu (ROM) 2:35:57
22 2000   Josephat Rop (KEN) 2:17:03   Rodica Chiriţă (ROM) 2:37:39
23 2001   Bedaso Turbe (ETH) 2:18:21   Lyudmyla Pushkina (UKR) 2:38:21
24 2002   David Chepkwony (KEN) 2:18:42   Rimma Dubovik (UKR) 2:37:20
25 2003   Belaye Wolashe (ETH) 2:18:29   Rimma Dubovik (UKR) 2:36:49
26 2004   David Chepkwony (KEN) 2:18:19   Svetlana Demidenko (RUS) 2:36:44
27 2005   Joseph Mbithi (KEN) 2:15:13   Madina Biktagirova (RUS) 2:34:25
28 2006   Mindaugas Pukštas (LTU) 2:12:52   Madina Biktagirova (RUS) 2:28:21
29 2007   David Cheruiyot (KEN) 2:11:00   Atsede Baysa (ETH) 2:29:08
30 2008   Kasine Adilo (ETH) 2:11:16   Nailiya Yulamanova (RUS) 2:30:17
31 2009   Kasine Adilo (ETH) 2:12:14   Bizunesh Urgesa (ETH) 2:32:45
32 2010   Vincent Kiplagat (KEN) 2:10:42   Ashu Kasim (ETH) 2:27:27
33 2011   Vincent Kiplagat (KEN) 2:10:58   Alemitu Abera (ETH) 2:27:56
34 2012   Stephen Chebogut (KEN) 2:11:05   Koren Jelela (ETH) 2:28:06
35 2013   Siraj Gena (ETH) 2:13:19   Rebecca Chesire (KEN) 2:29:05
36 2014   Gebo Burka (ETH) 2:12:23   Amane Gobena (ETH) 2:28:46
37 2015   Elias Chelimo (KEN) 2:11:17   Amane Gobena (ETH) 2:31:58
38 2016   Evans Kiplagat (AZE) 2:13:30   Agnes Barsosio (KEN) 2:28:25 [12]
39 2017   Abraham Kiprotich (FRA) 2:11:22   Ruth Chepngetich (KEN) 2:22:36 [13]
40 2018   Felix Kimutai (KEN) 2:09:57   Ruth Chepngetich (KEN) 2:18:35 [14]
41 2019   Daniel Kibet (KEN) 2:09:44   Hirut Tibebu (ETH) 2:23:40 [15]
42 2020   Benard Cheruiyot (KEN) 2:11:49   Diana Kipyokei (KEN) 2:22:06 [16]
43 2021   Victor Kiplangat (UGA) 2:10:18   Sheila Jerotich (KEN) 2:24:15 [17]
44 2022   Robert Kipkemboi (KEN) 2:10:16   Sechale Dalasa (ETH) 2:25:53 [18]

By country

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Country Men's race Women's race Total
  Kenya 15 4 19
  Ethiopia 9 9 18
  Turkey 11 4 15
  Russia 0 6 6
  Romania 0 4 4
  Ukraine 0 4 4
  United Kingdom 2 1 3
  Azerbaijan 1 0 1
  Denmark 1 0 1
  France 1 0 1
  Lithuania 1 0 1
  Zimbabwe 1 0 1
  Belarus 0 1 1

Recent results

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2016

38th marathon was held on November 13, 2016

  1.   Evans Kiplagat Barkowet 2:13:28
  2.   Shura Kitata Tola 2:14:08
  3.   Peter Kiptoo Kiplagat 2:14:33
  1.   Agnes Jeruto Barsosio 2:28:23
  2.   Sechale Dalasa Adugna 2:33:36
  3.   Rahma Tusa Chota 2:33:43
2015

37th marathon was held on November 15, 2015.

  1.   Eliaz Kemboi Chelimo 2:11:17
  2.   Evans Kiplagat 2:12:51
  3.   Sliah Kipkemboi Limo 2:14:02
  1.   Amane Gobena Gemeda 2:31:54
  2.   Zerfie Limeneh Tadese 2:40:47
  3.   Meryem Erdoğan 2:46:37

Prize money (both for men and women):[citation needed]

  • Winners: US$50,000
  • Runner-up: US$25,000
  • Third place: US$15,000
2014

36th marathon was held on November 16, 2014.[23]

  • Overall
  1.   Hafid Chani 2:11:53
  2.   Gebo Burka 2:12:23
  3.   Michael Kiprop 2:12:39
  • Women's
  1.   Amane Gobena 2:28:47
  2.   Salomie Getnet 2:30:38
  3.   Olena Burkovska 2:31:32
Prize money (both for men and women):
  • Winners: US$50,000
  • Runner-up: US$25,000
  • Third place: US$15,000

Wheelchair runners:

  • Winners: US$5,000
  • Runner-up: US$3,000
  • Third place: US$2,000
2013

35th marathon was held on November 17, 2013.[24]

  • Overall
  1.   Siraj Gena Amda 2:13:19
  2.   Evans Kiplagat 2:14:43
  3.   Ketema Tadesse 2:14:52
  • Women's
  1.   Rebecca Chesire 2.29.05
  2.   Elvan Abeylegesse 2.29.30
  3.   Sultan Haydar 2.29.40

NB Original race winner Abraham Kiprotich was disqualified for a doping offence.[25][26]

Prize money (both for men and women):
  • Winners: US$50,000
  • Runner-up: US$25,000
  • Third place: US$15,000

Wheelchair runners:

  • Winners: US$5,000
  • Runner-up: US$3,000
  • Third place: US$2,000
2012

34th marathon was held on November 11, 2012.

  • Overall
  1.   Stephen Chebogut 2:11:05
  2.   Kiprotich Yegon 2:15:35
  3.   Evans Kiplagat 2:16:43
  • Women's
  1.   Koren Jelela Yal 2:28:06
  2.   Amane Gobena 2:28:38
  3.   Sultan Haydar 2:29:41
2011

33rd marathon was held on October 16, 2011.[27]

  • Overall
  1.   Vincent Kiplagat 2:10:58
  2.   Tariku Jufar 2:11:31
  3.   Tsegay Gebreselassie 2:13:39
  • Women's
  1.   Alemitu Abera 2:27:56
  2.   Fatuma Sado 2:28:01
  3.   Tsega Gelaw 2:28:38
2010

32nd marathon was held on October 17, 2010.[28][29]

  • Overall
  1.   Vincent Kiplagat 2:10:39
  2.   Dereje Yadete Wolde-Giorgis 2:11:53
  3.   Girma Assefa 2:13:37
  • Women's
  1.   Ashu Kasim Rabo 2:27:25 CRW
  2.   Alemitu Abera 2:27:54
  3.   Amane Gobena 2.32:28
2009

31st marathon was held on October 18, 2009.[30]

  • Overall
  1.   Kasime Adilo Roba 2:12:14
  2.   Faisal Bader Shebto 2:12:54
  3.   Joseph Kahugu 2:13:32
  • Women's
  1.   Bizunesh Urgesa 2.32.45
  2.   Ashu Kasim Rabo 2.34.54
  3.   Svetlana Semova 2.37.04

Awards:[31]

  • Winner men's: US$50,000
  • Winner women's: US$50,000
2008

30th marathon was held on October 26, 2008.

  • Overall
  1.   Kasime Adilo Roba 2:11:16 CRM )
  2.   Lishan Yigezu Fanta 2:11:37
  3.   Iaroslav Muşinschi 2:11:43
  • Women's
  1.   Nailya Yulamanova 2:30:17
  2.   Yuliya Gromova 2:31:36
  3.   Mehtap Sızmaz 2:33:17

[32]

) Course changed

Prize money:

  • Winner men's: US$60,000
  • Winner women's: US$60,000
  • Course record: US$10,000
  • World record: US$100,000[33]
2007

29th marathon was held on October 28, 2007.
Motto: "Sağlıklı Çevre, Sağlıklı Nesiller, Yaşanabilir Bir Kent" (Healthy Environment, Healthy Generations)[34]

  • Overall
  1.   David Emmanuel Cheruiyot 2:10:56 CRM
  2.   Mark Windot Yatich 2:11:02
  3.   Tariku Jufar 2:11:04
  • Women's
  1.   Atsede Baysa 2:29:05
  2.   Małgorzata Sobańska 2:31:08
  3.   Olga Glok 2:31:10

[35]

Awards:

  • Winner men's: US$60,000
  • Winner women's: US$60,000
  • Course record: US$10,000
  • World record: US$100,000[36][37]
2006

28th marathon was held on November 5, 2006.
Motto: "Sigarasız Bir Dünya İçin Koşuyoruz" (Smoke-Free World)

  • Overall
  1.   Mindaugas Pukstas 2:12:52 FCRM
  2.   Andriy Naumov 2:12:59
  3.   Sergey Lukin 2:13:08
  • Women's
  1.   Madina Biktagirova 2:28:21 CRW
  2.   Liliya Yadzhak 2:29:22
  3.   Natalya Volgina 2:30:07
2005

27th marathon was held on October 2, 2005.

  • Overall
  1.   Joseph Mbithi 2:15:13
  2.   Hillary Koech Kipkering 2:15:47
  3.   Benson Mutisya Mbithi 2:16:07
  • Women's
  1.   Madina Biktagirova 2:34:25 FCRW
  2.   Natalia Volgina 2:36:42
  3.   Zhanna Malkova 2:37:33
2004

26th marathon was held on October 10, 2004.

  • Overall
  1.   David Kiptanui 2:18:19
  2.   Konstantin Permitin 2:18:25
  3.   Yuriy Hychun 2:18:35
  • Women's
  1.   Svetlana Demidenko 2:36:44
  2.   Zhanna Malkova 2:39:36
  3.   Olga Glok 2:42:45
2003

25th marathon was held on October 19, 2003.

  • Overall
  1.   Belay Wolashe 2:18:29
  2.   Oleg Strijakov 2:18:48
  3.   Bedasso Turbe 2:18:54
  • Women's
  1.   Rima Dubovik 2:36:49
  2.   Svetlana Demidenko 2:38:34
  3.   Irina Safarova 2:39:41
2002

24th marathon was held on October 27, 2002.

  • Overall
  1.   David Kiptanui 2:18:42
  2.   Frans Chauke 2:18:51
  3.   Belay Wolashe 2:19:37
  • Women's
  1.   Rima Dubovik 2:37:20
  2.   Svetlana Tkach 2:37:57
  3.   Irina Permitina 2:40:50
2001

23rd marathon was held on October 11, 2001.

  • Overall
  1.   Bedasso Turbe 2:18:21
  2.   Sreten Ninković 2:18:22
  3.   Erraoui Mohammad 2:18:35
  • Women's
  1.   Lyudmyla Pushkina 2:38:21
  2.   Mehtap Sızmaz 2:39:13
  3.   Milka Mihailova 2:40:39
2000

22nd marathon was held on October 14, 2000.

  • Overall
  1.   Rop Josephat 2:17:03
  2.   Moges Taye 2:18:21
  3.   Frans Chauke 2:18:43
  • Women's
  1.   Adriana Chirita 2:37:39
  2.   Constantina Diţă 2:37:57
  3.   Natalia Galshko 2:38:17
  • CRM Course record Men's
  • CRW Course record Women's
  • FCRM Former Course record Men's
  • FCRW Former Course record Women's

Notable participants

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b A marathon in Yekaterinburg, Russia, the Europe-Asia International Marathon, also claims to cross the border between Europe and Asia.[4]
  2. ^ a b h:m:s

References

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  1. ^
  2. ^ "iPico Wiz Results".
  3. ^ "Der Intercontinental Istanbul Eurasia Marathon". Marathons. Germanwings. Archived from the original on July 7, 2009. Retrieved January 12, 2010.
  4. ^ "Europe-Asia International Marathon". ea-m.org. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  5. ^ Kenyan athletes dominate Istanbul Half Marathon. Daily Sabah (2015-04-18). Retrieved on 2016-04-24.
  6. ^ IAAF International Association of Athletics Federations - IAAF.org - News
  7. ^ "34. İstanbul Avrasya Maratonu koşuldu". Zaman Spor (in Turkish). November 11, 2011. Archived from the original on November 14, 2012. Retrieved November 11, 2012.
  8. ^ a b "Dev maratonu Kıprotıch ve Chesir kazandı". Hürriyet (in Turkish). November 18, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  9. ^ a b "Ana Sayfa - Maraton İstanbul". Archived from the original on November 3, 2020.
  10. ^ "Race Course - Maraton İstanbul". maraton.istanbul. Archived from the original on November 7, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  11. ^ "Maraton 42K Koşusu - Maraton İstanbul". maraton.istanbul. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  12. ^ "AIMS | Race results for 2016". aims-worldrunning.org. Archived from the original on February 22, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  13. ^ "Marathon debutante Chepngetich smashes Turkish all-comers' record in Istanbul | News". www.worldathletics.org. Archived from the original on November 12, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  14. ^ "Road round-up: Chepngetich storms through 2:19 barrier in Istanbul, Course records for el Aaraby in Beirut and Masai at Hefei| News". www.worldathletics.org. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  15. ^ "Kenyan, Ethiopian athletes win 41st Istanbul Marathon". Archived from the original on October 15, 2020.
  16. ^ "Kenyan athletes claim titles in 42nd Istanbul Marathon".
  17. ^ "World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Archived from the original on November 7, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  18. ^ "N Kolay Istanbul Marathon 2022 Results". watchathletics.com. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  19. ^ "Sonuçlar Istanbul Maratonu - Maraton 42K Genel Sıralama" (PDF) (in Turkish). İstanbul Maraton. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 23, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
  20. ^ "Sonuçlar Istanbul Maratonu - Maraton 42K Kadınlar Genel Sıralama İlk 20" (PDF) (in Turkish). İstanbul Maraton. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
  21. ^ "Sonuçlar Istanbul Maratonu - Maraton Genel Sıralama" (PDF) (in Turkish). İstanbul Maraton. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  22. ^ "Sonuçlar Istanbul Maratonu - Maraton Kadınlar" (PDF) (in Turkish). İstanbul Maraton. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  23. ^ "Vodafone 36. İstanbul Maratonu'nda dereceye girenlere ödülleri verildi". Zaman (in Turkish). November 16, 2014. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  24. ^ "35th Vodafone Istanbul Marathon 2013-Marathon Overall Results" (PDF). Istanbul Marathon. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 26, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  25. ^ Istanbul Marathon history Archived July 1, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. Istanbul Marathon. Retrieved on June 28, 2015.
  26. ^ Athletes currently suspended from all competitions in athletics following an Anti-Doping Rule Violation as at: 13.05.15.
  27. ^ "Maratonu tekrar kazandı". T24.com (in Turkish). October 16, 2011. Retrieved October 16, 2011.[permanent dead link]
  28. ^ "KENns, ETHns sweep medals in Eurasia Marathon". Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review. October 17, 2010. Retrieved October 18, 2010.
  29. ^ "Avrasya Maratonu'nun birincileri belli oldu". Hürriyet (in Turkish). October 19, 2010. Retrieved October 18, 2010.
  30. ^ "Erkeklerde Roba bayanlarda Urgesa 1. oldu". Hürriyet (in Turkish). October 18, 2009. Retrieved October 18, 2009.
  31. ^ "Ödüller" (in Turkish). Kıtalararası Istanbul Avrasya Maratonu. Archived from the original on October 8, 2009. Retrieved October 18, 2009.
  32. ^ 30th Intercontinental Istanbul Eurasia Mararthon 2008 - Marathon Overall Results
  33. ^ Istanbul Marathon Awards Archived November 1, 2008, at the Wayback Machine (in Turkish)
  34. ^ Istanbul Marathon Motto Archived December 12, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  35. ^ Istanbul Marathon Results Archived November 30, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  36. ^ Istanbul Marathon Awards Archived December 8, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  37. ^ Intercontinental Istanbul Eurasia Marathon Guide: History, About, Practicalities, How to Apply and Prepare by goodistanbulguide.com
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