Istanbul Marathon



The Istanbul Marathon (İstanbul Maratonu, also known as Türkiye İş Bankası Istanbul Marathon for sponsorship reasons) is an international athletics event hosted in Istanbul, Turkey, in November, first held in 1979. It is the only marathon in the world whose course spans two continents, Asia and Europe.

The three race categories for men and women are: marathon, 15 km and public run. A special category for disabled persons exists also. Participation in the public run was with 150,000 people a record set in 1998.

The event is organised by Istanbul Sports Events, which also hosts the annual Istanbul Half Marathon in April.

History
The Istanbul marathon has previously been known as "Vodafone Istanbul Marathon" as well as "Intercontinental Istanbul Eurasia Marathon".

In 1997, Moges Taye of Ethiopia set the course record for men at the time of 2:13:37.

In 2005, Madina Biktagirova of Russia set the course record for women at the time of 2:34:25.

In 2006, Madina Biktagirova broke her own course record for women from the previous year with 2:28:21, and the course record for men was broken by the Lithuanian athlete Mindaugas Pukstas in 2:12:52. Also, 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. An athlete without this so-called champion-chip would not receive an official time. In addition, the Istanbul Eurasia Marathon that year incorporated the 4th European Police Marathon Championships for the first time, which contributed to top results.

In 2012, the month the marathon was generally held was changed from October to November. That year, the 34th edition of the marathon was named "Vodafone Istanbul Eurasia Marathon". Also that year, because the marathon had become a significant marathon event, it was awarded IAAF Gold Label status.

In 2013, around 20,000 local and foreigner athletes participated at the road race in different categories, among them wheelchair runners. 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.

Course
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.

In 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic, the course was altered to begin and end in Yenikapı and cross the Bosphorus Bridge twice, so runners would start and finish the marathon in Europe, but both enter and exit Asia during the run.

Qualification
To register for the marathon, participants must be 18 years of age or older on the race day.

In 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic, athletes over the age of 65 were disallowed from participating in the marathon.

Prizes
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.

In 2013, the total amount of the money prizes was US$1 million.

Winners
Key: Course record (in bold)

Recent results
38th marathon was held on November 13, 2016
 * 2016

37th marathon was held on November 15, 2015.
 * 2015:

Prize money (both for men and women):
 * Winners: US$50,000
 * Runner-up: US$25,000
 * Third place: US$15,000

36th marathon was held on November 16, 2014.
 * 2014:

• Prize money (both for men and women):

• Winners: US$50,000

• Runner-up: US$25,000

• Third place: US$15,000

• Wheelchair runners:

• Winners: US$5,000

• Runner-up: US$3,000

• Third place: US$2,000

35th marathon was held on November 17, 2013.
 * 2013:

NB Original race winner Abraham Kiprotich was disqualified for a doping offence.

• Prize money (both for men and women):

• Winners: US$50,000

• Runner-up: US$25,000

• Third place: US$15,000

• Wheelchair runners:

• Winners: US$5,000

• Runner-up: US$3,000

• Third place: US$2,000

34th marathon was held on November 11, 2012. 33rd marathon was held on October 16, 2011. 32nd marathon was held on October 17, 2010. 31st marathon was held on October 18, 2009.
 * 2012:
 * 2011:
 * 2010:
 * 2009:

Awards:
 * Winner men's: US$50,000
 * Winner women's: US$50,000

30th marathon was held on October 26, 2008.
 * 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

29th marathon was held on October 28, 2007.
 * 2007:

Motto: "Sağlıklı Çevre, Sağlıklı Nesiller, Yaşanabilir Bir Kent" (Healthy Environment, Healthy Generations)

Awards:
 * Winner men's: US$60,000
 * Winner women's: US$60,000
 * Course record: US$10,000
 * World record: US$100,000

28th marathon was held on November 5, 2006.
 * 2006:

Motto: "Sigarasız Bir Dünya İçin Koşuyoruz" (Smoke-Free World)

27th marathon was held on October 2, 2005.
 * 2005:

26th marathon was held on October 10, 2004.
 * 2004:

25th marathon was held on October 19, 2003.
 * 2003:

24th marathon was held on October 27, 2002.
 * 2002:

23rd marathon was held on October 11, 2001.
 * 2001:

22nd marathon was held on October 14, 2000.
 * 2000:


 * CRM Course record Men's
 * CRW Course record Women's
 * FCRM Former Course record Men's
 * FCRW Former Course record Women's

Notable participants

 * 🇬🇧 Ian Thompson in 1983
 * 🇹🇷 Mehmet Terzi in 1985
 * 🇬🇧 Terry Mitchell in 1991 and 1992
 * 🇹🇷 Elvan Abeylegesse in 2013