The Istanbul Marathon is an international athletics event organized by the metropolitan municipality in Istanbul, Turkey, every year on a Sunday in October since 1979. In 2012, the month was changed from October to November. 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. 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. To register for the marathon, participants must be 18 years of age or older on the race day. The three race categories for men and women are: marathon, 15 km and public run. A special category for disabled persons exists also. In 2003, 571 athletes from all over the world took part in the marathon category only. Participation in the public run was with 150,000 people a record set in 1998. Course record for men was set by Moges Taye of Ethiopia in 2 hours 13 minutes and 37seconds, and for women by Madina Biktagirova of Russia in 2:34:25. In 2006, course record for men was broken by the Lithuanian athlete Mindaugas Pukstas in 2:12:52, and Madina Biktagirova of Russia renewed her own course record for women from the previous year with 2:28:21. The event is organised by Istanbul Sports Events, which also hosts the annual Istanbul Half Marathon in April.
History
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. Without this so-called champion-chip, no time keeping was possible. 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. 2006 Istanbul Eurasia Marathon incorporated the 4th European Police Marathon Championshipsfor the first time, which contributed to top results. The 34th edition was named "Vodafone Istanbul Eurasia Marathon". Becoming a significant marathon event, it was awarded IAAF Gold Label status in 2012. In 2013, around 20,000 local and foreigner athletes participated at the road race in different categories, among them wheelchair runners. The total amount of the money prizes was US$1 million. 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.
Past winners
Key:
By country
Country
Men's race
Women's race
Total
14
4
18
9
8
17
11
4
15
0
6
6
0
4
4
0
4
4
2
1
3
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
1
1
Recent results
;2016 38th marathon was held on November 13, 2016 ;2015: 37th marathon was held on November 15, 2015. Prize money :
Winners: US$50,000
Runner-up: US$25,000
Third place: US$15,000
;2014: 36th marathon was held on November 16, 2014. ;2013: 35th marathon was held on November 17, 2013. NB Original race winner Abraham Kiprotich was disqualified for a doping offence. ;2012: 34th marathon was held on November 11, 2012. ;2011: 33rd marathon was held on October 16, 2011. ;2010: 32nd marathon was held on October 17, 2010. ;2009: 31st marathon was held on October 18, 2009. Awards:
Winner men's: US$50,000
Winner women's: US$50,000
;2008: 30th marathon was held on October 26, 2008. †) 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
;2007: 29th marathon was held on October 28, 2007.
Motto: "Sağlıklı Çevre, Sağlıklı Nesiller, Yaşanabilir Bir Kent" Awards:
Winner men's: US$60,000
Winner women's: US$60,000
Course record: US$10,000
World record: US$100,000
;2006: 28th marathon was held on November 5, 2006.
Motto: "Sigarasız Bir Dünya İçin Koşuyoruz" ;2005: 27th marathon was held on October 2, 2005. ;2004: 26th marathon was held on October 10, 2004. ;2003: 25th marathon was held on October 19, 2003. ;2002: 24th marathon was held on October 27, 2002. ;2001: 23rd marathon was held on October 11, 2001. ;2000: 22nd marathon was held on October 14, 2000.
