Istanbul: The 46th edition of the Istanbul Marathon, known as the world's only marathon that spans two continents, will take place this Sunday. The race uniquely crosses the Bosphorus from Asia to Europe, offering runners a scenic route that begins at the 15 July Martyrs' Bridge. Participants will traverse notable historic sites such as Dolmabahce Palace, Galata Bridge, New Mosque, Spice Bazaar, Sirkeci Train Station, Topkapi Palace, and Gulhane Park throughout this 42-kilometer (26-mile) challenge. The marathon concludes in Sultanahmet Square after more than two hours of running. According to Anadolu Agency, this year's marathon has already set a new record with over 14,000 female participants, contributing to an anticipated total of more than 40,000 runners. In the previous 2023 race, Panuel Mkungo of Kenya claimed victory in the men's category with a time of 2 hours, 10 minutes, and 35 seconds, while his fellow Kenyan, Beatrice Cheptoo, won the women's race, clocking in at 2 hours, 27 minutes, and 9 secon ds. The Istanbul Marathon has a rich history, originating from a concept proposed by Tercuman Newspaper following the completion of the Bosphorus Bridge in 1973. The first marathon took place on April 1, 1979, initiated by a group of German tourists and organized by the Athletics Federation under the name "International Asia-Europe Marathon." Initially perceived as an April Fools' prank by onlookers, the event has grown significantly over the years. In 1982, the organization of the marathon was handed over to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, which rebranded it as the 'Intercontinental Eurasia Marathon.' It gained further prestige in 2012 when it was included in the IAAF's Golden Category, and a year later, it adopted the "Istanbul Marathon" name. This year's event holds a "Gold Label" status, a distinction awarded by World Athletics, signifying that the race satisfies several important criteria.
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