Kenyan athletes win titles in 45th Istanbul Marathon
Athletes Beatrice Cheptoo and Panuel Mkungo of Kenya won the 45th Istanbul Marathon on Nov. 5 in women's and men's categories respectively. Athletes crossed from Istanbul's Asian to the European side as thousands followed the runners in the traditional Public Run.
Duvar English
Athletes Beatrice Cheptoo and Panuel Mkungo of Kenya won the 45th Istanbul Marathon on Oct. 5 in women's and men's categories respectively. Mkungo finished the 42-kilometer race in 2 hours 10 minutes and 35 seconds, Cheptoo in 2 hours 24 minutes and 9 seconds.
The Istanbul Marathon is the only marathon in the world that spans two continents. The 45th edition of the race was dubbed the "Run of the Century" on the centennial of the Republic.
Kenyan runners Benard Cheruiyot Sang and James Kiplagat came in second and third in the men's category of the marathon. In the women's category, Veronicah Njeri Maina and Valentina Mateiko of Kenya were the second and third-comers.
In addition to the marathon, a 15-km run and an 8-km Public Run were held. Thousands started the run at the July 15 Martyrs' (Bosphorus) Bridge connecting Istanbul's Asian and European sides.
The runners passed through historic sites such as the Galata Bridge over the Golden Horn, the Spice Bazaar, the Topkapı Palace, the Gülhane Park, and the Sultanahmet Mosque. The marathon ended in front of the Sultanahmet Hippodrome. Many main roads were closed off for the race.
İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu fired the starting gun and participated in the Public Run.