The 3rd International Konya Half Marathon was run with great enthusiasm

The 3rd ‘International Konya Half Marathon’, organized by the Konya Metropolitan Municipality, took place with the participation of thousands of athletes from 31 countries this year. The event, organized in collaboration with the Seljuk Autism Individuals Foundation (SOBE), Meram Down Syndrome Individuals Life Support Center (DOSD MERAM), and Karatay Alzheimer Day Care Center, was attended by Konya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Uğur İbrahim Altay, Seljuk Municipality Mayor Ahmet Pekyatırmacı, Karatay Municipality Mayor Hasan Kılca, Meram Municipality Mayor Mustafa Kavuş, Konya Youth and Sports Provincial Director Birdal Öztürk, SOBE Foundation President Mustafa Ak, DOSD Meram President Mehmet Munlafalıoğlu, and officials from Karatay Alzheimer Day Care Center. The start of the 21-kilometer International Half Marathon and the 10-kilometer run were given at 09:10 at the starting and finishing line set up on Kışla Street.
After the enthusiastic start, Konya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Uğur İbrahim Altay, in his evaluations regarding the marathon, stated that the Konya Half Marathon will become one of Turkey’s most important half marathons with its growing number of participants and energy every year. He expressed great pleasure in hosting guests from abroad and other cities in the city of Mevlana and the realm of Seljuk. Highlighting that Konya has become a city of sports by hosting many significant events, Mayor Altay emphasized the increase in participation over the last 3 years, stating that the intense participation in such events boosts their confidence in this regard.
Mayor Altay mentioned that the registration fees this year will be sent to Gaza. He emphasized that the Konya Half Marathon is organized as a social responsibility project each time. He thanked everyone involved and expressed his joy in hosting such an event in the beautiful atmosphere of Konya. Mayor Altay also mentioned that this year, registration fees will be sent to raise awareness about the massacre in Gaza and to end the genocide there. Additionally, all participants were given keffiyehs to wear during the run. He extended his gratitude to everyone involved in the organization.
Meram Municipality Mayor Mustafa Kavuş emphasized that the Konya Half Marathon is growing every year, becoming a beautiful event with the participation of people of all ages. He highlighted the noble purposes of the event, such as raising funds for autistic children, elderly Alzheimer’s patients, and children with Down syndrome. He thanked all participants for their support and hoped for further growth in the coming years.
Karatay Municipality Mayor Hasan Kılca mentioned that the event is not only a sports event but also a social responsibility project. He expressed pride in running with the Alzheimer’s Association of Karatay and sending the proceeds to the oppressed in Gaza. He wished success to all athletes and thanked the organizers of the event.
Seljuk Municipality Mayor Ahmet Pekyatırmacı stated that the International Konya Half Marathon was a great celebration of unity, solidarity, and competition for goodness. He expressed that the marathon contributes significantly to Konya’s tourism and culture. He thanked all those involved in organizing the event and praised it for being a national and international event that resonates.
An award ceremony was held for the top athletes at the International Konya Half Marathon, which saw the participation of 4,153 athletes from 31 countries, including Turkey, running to raise awareness for autism, Down syndrome, and Alzheimer’s. The fiercely contested 10K and 21K races concluded with an award ceremony at the event area set up in the Mevlana Cultural Center parking lot by the Konya Metropolitan Municipality, where the athletes were presented their awards.
In the 21-kilometer men’s race, James Kipkogei Kipkoech came first with a time of 01:02:53, followed by Chala Dereba Kibi in second place with a time of 01:04:58, and Sang Benard Cheruiyot in third place with a time of 01:06:15. In the 21-kilometer women’s race, Elida Jelimo Korir finished first with a time of 01:13:15, Doris Jepkoech came second with a time of 01:13:45, and Nur Sena Çeto placed third with a time of 01:19:52.
For the 10-kilometer men’s race, Halil Sade took the first place with a time of 00:33:07, Mehmet Kalyoncu came second with a time of 00:33:15, and Mervan Haykır finished third with a time of 00:33:22. In the 10-kilometer women’s race, Esma Nur Yılmaz won first place with a time of 00:38:27, Dilan Çukurçam came second with a time of 00:39:05, and Özlem Işık finished third with a time of 00:43:43. Detailed information about the winners of the 10K Race and 21K Race can be found on ‘konyayarimaraton.com’.
The 3rd International Konya Half Marathon concluded with the Public Race held at 13:30 after the morning 10K and 21K races. The event, which started and ended at Kılıçarslan City Square, was attended by AK Party Konya Deputy Mehmet Baykan, Konya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Uğur İbrahim Altay, AK Party Konya Provincial President Hasan Angı, mayors, the Konya protocol, and thousands of sports enthusiasts of all ages.
Speaking at the start of the Public Race, Konya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Uğur İbrahim Altay reminded that the streets belong to pedestrians and cyclists as much as they do to vehicles. He thanked everyone for their great participation, stating that it encourages them to organize such events in the city. Following Mayor Altay’s speech, a dabke dance performed by students from the Konya Metropolitan Municipality Folk Dance Team for support to Palestine brought emotional moments.
Athletes from various countries and cities in Turkey who participated in the marathon expressed their great happiness to be in Konya for such a wonderful event and thanked Konya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Uğur İbrahim Altay and everyone involved.