Capital on the Move
Runkara Half Marathon Shakes Ankara
The early light broke over Başkent Millet Bahçesi as a wave of runners surged through the capital’s streets. From 35 countries and 52 cities, nearly 4,000 athletes gathered for the third edition of the Runkara Half Marathon, turning Ankara into the beating heart of international running for one crisp October morning.
This year’s race was more than a competition. It was a tribute to the 102nd anniversary of the Republic and a statement of Ankara’s growing place on the global sports map. Under the rallying call “Get Moving”, participants laced up for 21K, 10K, and 5K routes that stitched together the capital’s modern avenues and historic arteries.
A Start Worth Remembering
The start gun was fired by Ankara Governor Vasip Şahin alongside national and local leaders — a ceremonial moment underscoring how the race has evolved into a flagship event. World Athletics–certified and broadcast live on TRT Spor Yıldız, Runkara blended elite athleticism with a citywide celebration, as spectators lined the course with flags, cheers, and music.
Governor Şahin called the event “a growing international tradition,” predicting that Runkara will soon rival the world’s top city runs. “This is more than a local race. It reflects Ankara’s spirit, our Republic’s legacy, and the shared joy of sport,” he said.
Festival in Motion
From the first strides through the heart of Altındağ to the last sprints past Ankara’s landmarks, the race unfolded like a moving festival. Elite runners chased fast times on the 21K course, while amateurs and first-timers brought energy and color to the 10K and 5K fields. The city’s rhythm shifted for a day — traffic paused, streets filled, and Ankara became a living, breathing racecourse.
The winners delivered outstanding performances:
21K Women — Hirut Jemberu Girma (ETH) took the crown in 1:17:25, narrowly ahead of Türkiye’s Nursena Çeto.
21K Men — Obadiah Kiplangat Rop (KEN) crossed the line in 1:07:46, edging out compatriot Boaz Kiptoo Kiplagat and Türkiye’s Hüseyin Can in a thrilling finish.
Derya Kunur dominated the 10K women’s race in 33:24, while Enbiya Yazıcı led the men in 30:18. The 5K brought smiles and sprint finishes, especially among newcomers — a reminder that Runkara is as much about community as it is about competition.
Steps for Awareness
This year, the course also carried a message. SERÇEV (The Association of Children with Cerebral Palsy) joined the 5K stage to raise awareness for individuals with cerebral palsy and special needs. Families, volunteers, and children walked and ran together, embodying the “Get Moving” motto not just in pace, but in purpose.
Meanwhile, AKUT Search and Rescue volunteers honored five colleagues lost in a recent Eskişehir fire, running in solidarity with “We haven’t forgotten” emblazoned on their shirts — a poignant reminder of resilience in motion.
A City’s Signature Event
Backed by Ankara Governorship, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Turkish Athletics Federation, Ankara Metropolitan and Altındağ Municipalities, and leading civic organizations, Runkara has rapidly become one of Türkiye’s premier running festivals. Live TV coverage carried the atmosphere across the nation, as drone shots traced the winding courses and commentary echoed the excitement.
The finish line wasn’t just a tape to break. It was a meeting point — where sport, culture, memory, and movement converged in the heart of Türkiye’s capital. Runkara Half Marathon 2025 didn’t just shake Ankara. It defined it.
Photos by @ runkaramaraton
– If any content here belongs to you and credit is missing, please contact us for attribution or removal.