NUR-SULTAN – Professional and amateur athletes will run for charity in the capital’s annual BI Marathon May 26, reports the Nur-Sultan Akimat (city administration) press service.
Photo credit: bi-marathon.kz.
The event aims to develop sports in the country, familiarise people with physical education, popularise a healthy lifestyle and support charity and social responsibility. Funds raised from the event will go to charity foundation BI Zhuldyzai for the treatment and rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy.
Running distances include two kilometres for participants under 14 years old, five kilometres for participants between 14 and 16, 10 kilometres for participants over 16, and 21 kilometres and 42.2 kilometres for participants over 18. Nordic walking is an option for athletes of the 10-kilometre race, and corporate participants may run a relay race.
Registration to participate began Dec. 16, earlier than in previous years, to encourage greater participation and preparation. By the end of May, athletes will have had sufficient time to have thoroughly prepared for their chosen distance. Ten thousand athletes are expected to run. Serik Sapiyev, a 2012 Summer Olympic Games gold medallist in boxing in the welterweight division, recently confirmed his participation.
“Registration is in full swing – approximately 4,000 people have registered,” said BI Marathon Sports Director Alexey Sidorenko. “Based on past experience, athletes will come from more than 22 countries in the world, including neighbouring Russia, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, as well as Germany, Austria, Belgium, the United States, Denmark and Indonesia.”
This year’s route will differ from past races and include exiting the park, running along four streets and the Yessil River embankment and a start and finish line at Triathlon Park.
“Live music along the route, a novelty in 2018, will become a tradition and give strength and spirit to the runners,” said BI Marathon Sports Director Sergey Bodrov.
Last year, 7,200 athletes completed the race, including 4,323 men and 2,877 women and 2,131 of the participants were BI Group representatives. They consumed 45,544 litres of water and ran 168,465 kilometres altogether. The best result was 2 hours, 34 minutes and 44 seconds for the full distance.
To register, visit www.bi-marathon.kz.
