Over 41000 athletes from 126 countries participated in the Türkiye İş Bankası 47th Istanbul Marathon on Sunday. The event, organised by Spor İstanbul, is the world’s only intercontinental marathon, taking runners from Asia to Europe.
Listed in World Athletics’ Gold Label category, the marathon attracted 41,416 participants. It featured 5,976 runners in the 42-kilometre race, 12,440 in the 15.5-kilometre event, 18,000 in the Corporate Run, and 5,000 in the Public Run.
Kenya’s Lokitam Wins Men’s Title
Kenya’s Rhonzas Lokitam Kilimo claimed victory in the men’s race, finishing the 42.195-kilometre course in 2 hours 10 minutes 12 seconds.
Last year’s champion, Kenyan runner Dejene Debela, secured second place in 2 hours 10 minutes 23 seconds. Ethiopia’s Sufaro Woliyi followed closely in third, completing the race in 2 hours 10 minutes 26 seconds.
Ethiopia’s Aderra Leads Women’s Race
Ethiopia’s Bizuager Aderra dominated the women’s category, crossing the finish line in 2 hours 26 minutes 19 seconds. Her compatriot Sofia Assefa finished just two seconds later, while Kenya’s Joan Jepkosgei claimed third with a time of 2 hours 26 minutes 36 seconds.
Massive Prize Pool and Local Awards
Winners received $50,000 each, with second and third places earning $20,000 and $10,000, respectively. The total prize pool reached 9.5 million Turkish liras (about $226,000).
Top Turkish runners shared 400,000 liras ($9,515), with the first-place finisher earning 60,000 liras ($1,428). Additional prizes were awarded in wheelchair and age-group categories.
The marathon’s route began on Istanbul’s Asian side near the 15 July Martyrs Bridge and ended at Sultanahmet Square in Europe.
