A Runner from China Sets a New Course Record at the Almaty Half Marathon

On 19 April, Almaty hosted the ninth Almaty Half Marathon, which brought together more than 10,000 participants from 44 countries. Organised by “Courage to be the First” Corporate Fund, the half marathon traditionally opens the season of major running events in Kazakhstan.

Participants could choose from the event’s traditional distances: the half marathon (21.1 km), the 10 km race, the 10 km Nordic walking event, and the Ekiden team relay. Entry to the half marathon was open to runners aged 18 and over, while participants aged 15 and above were eligible for the other distances. In total, more than 10,000 people from 44 countries took part in the run.

The 10 km runners and Nordic walking participants were the first to start, followed by the half marathon runners and the Ekiden relay teams. The course ran from the First President’s Park along the closed-off Al-Farabi Avenue and finished at the Central Stadium.

The organisers also gave considerable attention to the environmental agenda: together with EcoNetwork, they set up an eco-zone in the finish area, where participants could hand in plastic bottles and aluminum cans. All collected recyclable materials will be sent for recycling and later used to create interior items and clothing.

Some participants also supported a charitable initiative: at the start, runners left warm clothing on the turnstiles, and the Teplo project team then collected, sorted, and distributed the items to those in need. The project can be supported all year round, with a clothing collection box installed at the entrance to the Botanical Garden.

The Almaty Half Marathon also became more comfortable for participants: a mother-and-child room was available in the finish area, separate toilets were introduced, and specialised facilities for people with disabilities were installed. Among organisers of running events in Kazakhstan, this was one of the earliest examples of such a practice being implemented.

In the women’s Overall championship over the 21.1 km distance, Maria Mazurenko from Ukraine claimed victory, completing the half marathon in 1:15:26. Second place went to Karina Kostromina from Russia with a time of 1:16:15, while third place was taken by Kseniia Avdeeva from Kazakhstan in 1:17:21.

In the men’s race, China’s Kuwan Anubaike took first place with a time of 1:04:10, breaking the course record set in 2024. Second place went to Bekzod Boymatov from Uzbekistan in 1:04:55, while third place was secured by Zhusup Sulaiman uulu from Kyrgyzstan in 1:05:13.

It is worth noting that this year Almaty welcomed 821 international participants, accounting for around 8% of the total number, which became the highest figure in the history of the half marathon. While the majority of runners were residents of Kazakhstan, the geography of the start continues to expand.

The top three countries by number of participants were Russia (346), Kyrgyzstan (146), and Uzbekistan (81). The run also featured participants from China (37), the United States (32), the United Kingdom (28), Ukraine (21), and Belarus (18). The event brought together runners from Asia, Europe, North and South America, Africa, and the Middle East.

It is also worth adding that sports tourism is becoming one of the city’s more visible growth drivers. Running events attract not only the participants themselves but also their families and friends, further boosting tourist inflow. According to the fund’s research, 79.3% of out-of-town and international participants plan to return to Almaty, meaning they are coming back not only for the start, but for the city itself.

This is also supported by international study: the Almaty Marathon was included in an analysis of the city’s tourism potential prepared by Mastercard in cooperation with Almaty Tourism Bureau, which highlighted the impact of major events on the growth of tourist traffic and visitor spending.

At the same time, the very format of activity is changing: running is increasingly moving beyond city streets. Participants are choosing routes in natural settings and training in the mountains, and this demand is gradually being supported by infrastructure. In particular, the Almaty mountain cluster is taking shape in this direction, creating more opportunities for training and recreation in the mountains.

The Almaty Half Marathon was held with the support of the Almaty Akimat.