Almaty Marathon

The Almaty Marathon is an annual marathon hosted in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The Almaty Marathon is the largest sporting event in Central Asia. Since 2013, it has been a member of the AIMS international association. The Almaty Marathon tracks are certified according to the rules of AIMS and IAAF and have category "B". However, due to IAAF requirements regarding the difference of altitude and distance, world records are not registered.

As of 2018, the Almaty Marathon includes 6 events:


 * Traditional marathon (42 km 195 m) – participants from 18 years old and above
 * Half marathon (21 km 97,5 m) - participants from 18 years old and above
 * Satellite race (10 km) - participants from 15 years old and above
 * Nordic walk (10 km) - participants from 15 years old and above
 * Children's race (3 km) - participants from 10 up to 14 years old
 * Corporate marathon relay (42 km 195 m) – teams of 6 persons from 16 years old and above.

In addition, a number of seasonal and thematic races are organized throughout the year, which are practices for the spring marathon.

Course
In 2017, the Marathon course started at the Park of the First President and, for the children's race, at the "Nurly Tau" business center. The race finished at the Central Stadium.

In 2018, the certification of the tracks was updated and the course was changed. The start and finish are located at Republic Square. During the Marathon, several streets are closed. In 2018, the Marathon course ran through the whole city.

Organizers
The organizers of the competition are the "Courage to be First" Corporate Fund, World Class Almaty Fitness-Club, and the Shakhmardan Yessenov Science and Education Foundation, which is also the founder of the Almaty Marathon.

The idea for holding the marathon was conceived in 2012, when the World Class Fitness-Club decided to celebrate the anniversary of its foundation. Galimzhan Yessenov suggested that it also be a charitable marathon. The marathon is supported by the Akimat of Almaty and various private organizations.

Purposes
The organizers of the Almaty Marathon say their main mission is the promotion of an active lifestyle by engaging people in physical culture and sport, while doing it on professional level, in accordance with the high international standards. In the framework of corporate responsibility, the "Courage to be First" Corporate Fund helps children with special needs by giving them the opportunity to lead an active life and to develop physically. The Fund allocates the raised money towards the creation of necessary sports infrastructure as well as to provide children with special needs the necessary medical assistance.

All those who enter to participate pay an entry fee in the amount of 3 to 5 thousand KZT. The collected funds go to charity.

2012
The first marathon, entitled "Charitable Marathon - Courage to be First," was held on May 27, 2012. Approximately 2,500 people took part in the marathon instead of than the initially registered 500. The fund raised at the Marathon went to the treatment of 2 year old Yesbol Miras, a patient with cerebral palsy and spastic diplegia.

2013
The second Almaty Marathon was held on April 28, 2013. Over 5,000 people participated. The tradition of conducting the marathon on the last Sunday of April was approved. Funds collected at the marathon were allocated towards the construction of mini-water areas in the Ardi rehabilitation center for the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy and organization of therapeutic swimming classes.

2014
The third Almaty Marathon took place on April 20, 2014. The number of marathon participants exceeded 10 thousand people. The collected funds were transferred to the company Mercy, which collects funds for the treatment of children with oncology. Astana Motors, as the general partner of the marathon, also presented an ambulance for the oncology department of the Research Institute of Pediatrics and Children's Surgery in Almaty.

2015
The fourth marathon was held on April 26, 2015. There were approximately 19,000 participants from over 40 countries. The Almaty Marathon organizers built a modern stadium for boarding school No. 9 in Almaty, a specialized educational institution for children with severe speech impairments. 72 people won the marathon, including 27 marathoners from 9 age categories.

2016
The jubilee fifth marathon was held on April 24, 2016, with 25,000 - 30,000 people in attendance, although only 13,300 registered. In total, 12.5 million KZT was collected, which was spent on four apparatuses for restoration of the musculoskeletal system: support unloading compensator "Kovrit" and imitators of walking "Imitron".

2017
The sixth Almaty Marathon started on April 23, 2017. Officially, over 13,000 people were registered from 42 countries and the number of major disciplines was expanded to six. Funds from the starting fees were directed to the treatment of more than 1,500 children with serious diseases from 6 specialized institutions.

2018
The seventh Almaty Marathon was held on April 22, 2018, on the updated course. More than 14,000 people participated. Funds collected from the participants' starting fees were used to build sports grounds and purchase sports equipment in three specialized children's institutions.

2019
The 2019 event took place on April 21, 2019.

2020
The 2020 edition of the race was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, with all registrants being able to receive their starter kit, t-shirt, and finisher medal, and being able to apply for a refund of half of their entry fee.

Winners
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