Istanbul Marathon 2025
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- Next event : Early November 2025
- Last event : Sun, November 3, 2024
The event in a few words
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... 46 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! 👏
3 reasons to join this race
A distance for every taste
- MarathonTOP
- 15 km
- Early November 2025
A few more words
The tone is set right from the start! In just 2 km, you'll be crossing the Bosphorus, moving from the Asian side to the European side of Istanbul. Running becomes a powerful symbol! An emotional moment that will give you wings 🪽 to tackle the remaining forty or so kilometers! Well, that's the hope! 😂 After a challenging 5 km that's anything but flat, you'll finally get some respite. The rest of the journey will be more manageable as you follow the coast 🌊 all the way to the 26th km, before making a U-turn to return via the same fast route to the finish line 🏁, in front of the Blue Mosque 🕌. The charm of the race lies in this extraordinary course: after starting in a 21st-century neighborhood and crossing the legendary Bosphorus, you'll tread through iconic districts steeped in Turkish and Ottoman history along the Bosphorus, and also the Golden Horn. The Istanbul Marathon is more than a race; it's a true journey through time! ⏳
Here's the route of the Istanbul Marathon 👇.
Road Running 15 km
Road Running- Early November 2025
A few more words
The race kicks off in front of the July 15 Martyrs Bridge and almost immediately takes you across the bridge 🌉. Among the many highlights of the course, you'll encounter the Naval Museum, Dolmabahçe Palace, the Dolmabahçe Mosque 🕌, the new Yeni Camii mosque, the Galata Bridge, the iconic Egyptian bazaar, the Topkapı Palace, and even the quaint Hagia Sophia Mosque. The finish line will be met with great fanfare at Yenikapı, a bustling seaside port district 🌊.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
To enter, you must have completed within the last 2 years either a:
42 km (26.2 miles) race in a time of 6 hours and 20 minutes
21 km (13.1 miles) race in a time of 3 hours and 25 minutes
The fees are as follows:
From January 1, 2024 to May 31, 2024: €80
From June 1, 2024 to July 31, 2024: €100
From August 1, 2024 to October 14, 2024: €120
Participants must be 18 years of age or older to enter.
Your bib number and kit can be collected at the Dr. Mimar Kadir Topbaş Exhibition and Art Center on:
October 31, 2024, from 10 am to 7 pm
November 1, 2024, from 10 am to 7 pm
November 2, 2024, from 10 am to 6 pm
The races will kick off on Sunday, November 3, 2024. On the morning of the race, you can get to the starting line for free using all public transport services provided by the municipality of Istanbul by showing your BIB number.
The start line is in front of the July 15 Martyrs Bridge, and the finish line is at the Blue Mosque Square.
You can find details on how to get to the start line by clicking here and navigating to the "Start Point Access" section.
Yes, a baggage check system will be available. Vehicles will be located near the starting area to transport bags to the finish line. Only the bags provided with your kit are allowed. Do not leave any valuables in the bags.
42 km vehicles departure time: 9:00 am
15 km vehicles departure time: 9:15 am
Water stations will be available every 5 km.
Yes, the maximum time for completing the 42 km is set at 6 hours and 20 minutes.
Here's what your registration includes:
Running kit (bib number and timing chip)
Athlete's bag
T-shirt
Medal
Certificate
Water and snack stations on the course
Post-race food package
Photo service
If you're the organizer of this race and want to enhance your page's content, claim it here.
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