SCO International Marathon kicks off in Issyk-Kul

Cholpon-Ata, May 13, 2023. / Kabar /. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) International Issyk-Kul Marathon "Run the Silk Road" kicked off on Saturday at Kyrgyzstan's Cholpon-Ata resort town.

The start of the marathon was given by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Edil Baisalov and Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Zhang Ming.

The purpose of the event is to strengthen cultural and humanitarian cooperation between the SCO countries; promotion of a healthy lifestyle, familiarizing the population with regular physical education and sports; improvement of sportsmanship of participants; development of internal and external event tourism.

Representatives from 23 countries of the world take part in the race. In total, more than 3 thousand participants were registered.

The total distance of the marathon is 42 km 195 meters, half marathon - 21 km 97 meters, running and Nordic walking - 10 and 3 km.

Also, within the framework of the marathon, a healthy race will be held with representatives of the diplomatic corps.

The prize fund of the marathon and half marathon is 1 million 534 thousand soms (for marathon and half marathon participants).

The organizers of the race are the Department of Physical Culture and Sports under the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Directorate for Olympic Sports, the Athletics Federation of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Directorate of the International Marathon Public Union and the Secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

The result of the race participants is recorded by an electronic timing system and confirmed by the panel of judges. The determination of the winners and prize-winners of the races takes place according to the finish time of the participant.

The athletes who have completed the marathon standards will receive licenses for the World Championship, the Olympic and Asian Games.