About 15,000 people will toe the starting line of the biggest running event of Kazakhstan – the 2018 Almaty Marathon – on April 22. The preparation for the competition has entered the final straight; the organizers have shared the latest news about the forthcoming event.
The registration for the Almaty Marathon will be over on April 10, in less than two weeks. About 10,000 people have already registered and are getting ready for the start.
The Almaty Marathon has prepared a few innovations for the participants. The new location of start and finish line is the major change. The runners will start and finish on the same location – at the Republic Square (along Satpayev Street). The entertainment program for supporters will also take place there. In addition, the routes have changed: all participants, whether adults or children, start the race going up the street (along Nazarbayev Avenue) and then start running down the slope (Al-Farabi Avenue, Sain Street, Shashkin Street and Manas Street) and along the even surface (Abay Avenue, Satpayev Street).
“We have renewed and certified the route this year,” Artem Yakupov, Project Manager at the Almaty Marathon, says. “We took into account the remarks of our participants and the route now is easier for those running a marathon and a semi-marathon. There will be food and water points along the route; we ensured the most convenient location so that the participants could quench their thirst and have a snack in a comfortable manner. The significant benefit is that the supporters will see off and meet the runners at the same place – at the Republic Square.”
In addition, the athletes and supporters can track a runner’s results online – in the online tracking system. Besides, participants will be provided with nourishing food at the finish line (chocolate, dried fruit, rolls), beverages, and with an additional bonus a massage. All marathon runners (42 km 195 m) will receive a personal name tag with a starting number at registration.
There are a total of 78 medals for winners in each category, and there is a total prize fund of 1,900,000 KZT for absolute champions (42 km with the shortest time).
The Sports Fair with sports goods and healthy products will take place on the Marathon Eve at the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace on April 20 and 21. There will be also free lectures and workshops. All registered participants will take their starting kit from that place within these two days.
Charity Targets of the 2018 Almaty Marathon
The funds raised from the entry fees paid by the participants are annually donated to charity. There are three charity targets in 2018.
The first I am with you children’s hospice for children with cancer is one of them. There critically ill children get health care as well as psychological support and spiritual assistance together with their relatives. Kids are full of energy; they need to play active games, laugh and get positive feelings. A sports ground will be constructed for the funds from entry fees for children at the hospice to do sports outside, and all necessary sports equipment will be purchased.
There is also Special Boarding School No. 6 for children with intellectual development disabilities and the Regional Special Boarding School for Children with Vision Disorders in the Town of Yessik.
The sports ground will be built for the entry fees that will be a great component of the system of social adaptation for the pupils from these two schools in addition to general improvement of their physical shape and immune systems.
“The Almaty Marathon has already become a real holiday rather than just a sports event for thousands of Almaty citizens and visitors. A number of those who want to run their distance is growing from year to year – the same as a number of those who regularly go jogging in the parks. From the very beginning, the Almaty Marathon has been pursuing charitable objectives, and we are happy to arrange a beneficial event not only for athletes and runners, but also for those who need our help the most,” Saltanat Kazybayeva, The Almaty Marathon Director, said.
We would like to remind you that the seventh Almaty Marathon will take place on April 22, 2018. Some roads in the city will be closed due to the event. A detailed plan of the closed roads will be provided closer to the date of the event.
