Istanbul Marathon

The Istanbul Marathon (full name Intercontinental Istanbul Eurasia Marathon; (Turkish: İstanbul Avrasya Maratonu) is an international athletics event organized by the metropolitan municipality in Istanbul, Turkey, every year on a Sunday in October since 1979.

The course is asphalt, mostly flat and is free of traffic. It is the only course in the world where the marathon includes two continents, Asia and Europe, in one race. The marathon starts on the Asian side of the city, shortly before the First Bosphorus Bridge, crosses the bridge giving an outstanding view of the Bosphorus and Istanbul, passes many historic sites including the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, and ends in the İnönü Stadium in the European part. In all, the race crosses three bridges, one over the Bosporus and two over the Golden Horn. The course changed three times over the years, therefore winning scores differ.

To register for the marathon, participants must be 18 years of age or older on the race day. The three race categories for men and women are: marathon, 15 km and public run. A special category for disabled persons exists also. In 2003, 571 athletes (523 men and 48 women) from all over the world took part in the marathon category only. Participation in the public run was with 150.000 people a record set in 1998.

Course record for men was set by Moges Taye of Ethiopia in 2 hours 13 minutes and 37seconds (1997), and for women by Madina Biktagirova of Russia in 2:34:25 (2005). In 2006, course record for men was broken by the Lithuanian athlete Mindaugas Pukstas in 2:12:52, and Madina Biktagirova of Russia renewed her own course record for women from the previous year with 2:28:21.

For the first time in 2006, time keeping for marathon and 15 km was effected by means of a single-use chip, which was placed on the athlete's shoe tied by shoelaces. Without this so-called champion-chip, no time keeping was possible.

Money prizes are given to the first 25 male athletes and 15 best female athletes in the marathon category, the first 3 ranks receiving US$35,000, US$15,000 and US$10,000 respectively. An athlete, who broke the course record, is awarded with a bonus of US$5,000. Bonuses exists also for times run between 2:14:00 and 2:04:55 or better for men and between 2:33:00 and 2:15:25 or better for women, scaled from US$500 up to US$100,000. Prizes are also provided for the best ranking athletes in other competition categories.

2006 Istanbul Eurasia Marathon incorporated the 4th European Police Marathon Championships for the first time, which contributed to top results.

The 34th edition was named "Vodafone Istanbul Eurasia Marathon". Becoming a significant marathon event, it was awarded IAAF Gold Label status in 2012.