Across Continents, Beyond Limits: The 47th Istanbul Marathon Bridges the World Once More
A City That Runs Between Worlds
On a crisp November morning, more than 50,000 runners from 126 countries gathered on the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, where Asia greets Europe with the glow of the Bosphorus below. The 47th Istanbul Marathon, organized by Spor Istanbul under the auspices of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, once again turned the world’s only intercontinental marathon into a celebration of unity, endurance, and discovery.
Carrying the prestigious World Athletics Gold Label, the event is not only a world-class athletic competition but a living journey through history—from the modern silhouette of Beşiktaş to the domes of Sultanahmet, from the rhythmic waves of the Marmara to the echoes of empires past.
When Sport Becomes a City’s Heartbeat
The 42K marathon, 15.5K run, corporate and public races filled Istanbul’s streets with color, music, and emotion. Corporate teams and NGOs transformed the start line into a carnival of goodwill — balloons, banners, and custom T-shirts turned the Bosphorus breeze into a wave of joy. Thousands ran not only for records but for reasons: to give, to heal, to hope.
As Türkiye Is Bankası shared in their campaign message: Thousands of runners took off for good—every donation lit a spark of hope.
Through the İyilik Peşinde Koş (“Run for Good”) platform, runners turned each kilometer into charity, raising millions of lira for social causes. The marathon’s human spirit—uniting sport, compassion, and culture—once again made Istanbul a stage for more than speed.
Champions of the Continents
In the men’s elite field, Rhonzas Lokitam Kilimo (KEN) crossed the finish line first in 2:10:12, followed closely by Dejene Debela (ETH) and Sufaro Woliyi (ETH).
Among women, Bizuager Aderra (ETH) claimed the crown in 2:26:19, edging out Sofia Assefa (ETH) and Joan Jepkosgei Kilimo (KEN).
Turkish athlete Hüseyin Can placed fifth overall with an impressive 2:10:58, a symbol of the nation’s rising long-distance potential.
The wheelchair division was led by Ömer Cantay, finishing with a remarkable 2:47:06 — a performance that drew admiration from spectators along the entire route.
A Route of Legends
The marathon route began on the Asian side of the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, offering runners a rare moment suspended between two continents before descending toward Beşiktaş and Dolmabahçe Palace. The course continued along the historic peninsula — past Galata Bridge, Topkapı Palace, and the Marmara shoreline, before culminating amid the timeless splendor of Sultanahmet Square.
To run Istanbul is to run through civilizations: Byzantine walls, Ottoman gates, and modern skylines blending into a single moving panorama — where each stride becomes a passage through centuries.
Beyond the Finish Line
From the start to the finish, the 47th Istanbul Marathon showcased the power of sport as a bridge between continents, people, and purposes.
The event’s professional organization, sustainable management, and international participation positioned it as one of the world’s most distinctive urban marathons.
Its economic and touristic ripple effects extended far beyond race day: hotels were full, restaurants lively, and thousands of visitors discovered Istanbul not just as a city to see, but as a place to run through, live, and feel.
Each runner carried home a piece of the city — its rhythm, its skyline, its spirit. And as the Bosphorus shimmered under the November sun, one truth stood out once again:
In Istanbul, every step crosses more than a continent — it crosses into the story of a city that runs with the world.
Photos by @marathonistanbul
Photos by @ibbsporistanbul
Photos by @tegv
Photos by @koruncuk
Photos by @nihanozgenmeleke
Photos: Source – Türkiye Atletizm Federasyonu (taf.org.tr)
Photos: Source – DHA (dha.com.tr)
Photos: Source – TRT Spor (trtspor.com.tr)
Photos: Source – Karar (karar.com)
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