Istanbul Marathon 2025

Road to the capital of Turkey, Istanbul 🌆... 🇹🇷 Or is it! Ankara is the actual capital (gotcha, you forgot, right? 😜). However, Istanbul is indeed the largest city in the country, with four historical zones listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO! 🌍 Once known as Byzantium to the Greeks and Constantinople to the Eastern Roman Empire, Istanbul marks the geographical gateway between Europe and Asia 🚪. It's this remarkable city that you'll have the chance to explore with the famous Istanbul Marathon, one of the most attractive in the world, along with its 15 km distance. Get ready: it's a festive, popular, and unmissable event for Turkish and international athletics! 🤌

Over 1,000 years ago, the Chinese considered it "the city of cities" 🙌. This is where, in November, amidst this metropolis where history meets the most contemporary present, the Istanbul Marathon has been taking place for... 47 years! 🙀 Initially named "Asia-Europe Run" because its course connects the two continents ✌️, it was later called "Intercontinental Eurasia Marathon" before being renamed in 2013 to "Istanbul Marathon", a name that rightfully honors this city of exceptional historical wealth 🥰. Today, the event is part of the international circuit of IAAF Road Race Label Events in the "Gold Label" category 🥇. Suffice to say, it's a road race that stands out in the international marathon calendar! 🏃‍♀️ The records set here are no small feat: 2 hours, 9 minutes 44 seconds for Daniel Kibet and 2 hours, 18 minutes 35 seconds for Ruth Chepngetich 🏆.

Far from your high school geography class, the Istanbul Marathon immerses you in sights that once seemed utterly surreal in your textbooks 📖. By running one of the two distances on offer (42.195 km and 15 km), you'll discover the city's seven hills, the Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome Square 🐎 echoing with the call of the muezzins 🙏, the treasures of the Topkapi Palace, the Egyptian Bazaar, and the plethora of jewelers in the bazaar 💍. You're in for a unique experience, as the race kicks off from the Asian side of the city, crosses the Bosphorus via the intercontinental bridge, July 15 Martyrs Bridge, and reaches the historic city, skirting the river and passing through the modern, Levantine, Ottoman, and Byzantine city 🤤.

Aside from your run, you can hop on a steamboat 🛥️ that will take you to the Black Sea, or dive into the cosmopolitan crowds that fill Istiklal Avenue at nightfall 🌙. After your marathon, refuel with a borek (filled phyllo pastry), a balik ekmek (fish sandwich), a dolma (a much healthier option since it's stuffed vegetables 😉), or some lokum (great for a quick sugar fix! 🫃). While tasting, you may get lost in the maze of the Grand Bazaar or relax in one of many hammams... 💆

No doubt about it: Istanbul is truly splendid! 👏