Almaty Half Marathon 2026: How the Largest Run of the Spring Unfolded

On 19 April, Almaty hosted the ninth Almaty Half Marathon, bringing 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. Nearly 900 runners from 44 countries travelled to Almaty, setting a record for the highest number of international participants in the nine-year history of the event.

The Almaty Half Marathon traditionally opens the running season and brings together both professional athletes and amateurs. Participants could choose from four distances: the half marathon (21.1 km), the 10 km run, the 10 km Nordic walking event, and the Ekiden team relay. Entry to the half marathon was open to runners aged 18 and older, while participants aged 15 and above were eligible for the other distances.

Race day began early in the morning – by 6:30 a.m., runners gathered near the First President’s Park for a warmup session led by trainers from the KRIDA fitness club, ensuring that every participant could confirm their muscles were properly warmed up and their joints prepared for the effort ahead.

Experienced pacers also set the pace along the course – they were easy to spot thanks to their distinctive shirts and flags indicating target finish times. Running at a steady, pre-set pace, they crossed the finish line within their declared times, helping participants stay oriented throughout the distance and stick to their chosen race strategy.

The fund systematically prioritizes ensuring a safe start and race experience for all participants. In this context, pacers perform not only a navigational role but also an important preventive function - helping runners avoid common mistakes such as starting too fast or maintaining an uneven pace, which directly reduces the risk of overexertion and a decline in well-being during the race.

The 10 km runners and Nordic walking participants started first, followed by the half marathon runners and 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.

In the men’s overall championship over the 21.1 km distance, China’s Kuwan Anubaike claimed victory with a time of 1:04:10, breaking the course record set in 2024. Second place went to Bekzod Boymatov from Uzbekistan (1:04:55), while third place was taken by Zhusup Sulaiman uulu from Kyrgyzstan (1:05:13).

In the women’s race, Maria Mazurenko from Ukraine took first place, completing the distance in 1:15:26. Second place went to Karina Kostromina from Russia (1:16:15), and third place was taken by Kseniya Avdeyeva from Kazakhstan (1:17:21).

International runners made up a significant share of participants - 821 runners traveled to Almaty from abroad, setting a new record for the entire history of the half marathon. Overall, the event brought together participants from Asia, Europe, North and South America, Africa, and the Middle East. The top three countries by number of participants were Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.

“Sports tourism is one of the most effective tools for promoting the city on the global stage. Importantly, runners rarely travel alone - they are often accompanied by family and friends, which further increases tourist inflow. For many international guests, participating in a running competition becomes their first introduction to Kazakhstan and a reason to return. According to our research, 79.3% of non-resident and international participants plan to revisit Almaty – this translates into new trips and increased investment attractiveness for the city,” said Galimzhan Yessenov, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at “Courage to be the First” Corporate Fund.

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.

In this context, international attention to the event continues to grow. The Almaty Half Marathon has also become a platform for international dialogue - representatives of tourism organizations took part in the run, including Nor Shazli Azmi, Director of Tourism at the Embassy of Malaysia. His participation was timed to coincide with the Year of Malaysia in Kazakhstan and reflects the strengthening cooperation in tourism and cultural exchange between the two countries.

“Tourism Malaysia is pleased to support and participate in the Almaty Half Marathon, which brings together more than 10,000 participants and reflects the growing culture of sport and active lifestyles in the region. Malaysia shares these values – running  events and sports initiatives are actively developing across the country. As the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign gains momentum, we invite participants and guests to discover Malaysia and explore its unique diversity,” he noted.

Traditionally, the organisers, in partnership with EcoNetwork and the Teplo project, set up both eco and charity zones.

In the finish area, an eco-zone was established together with EcoNetwork, where participants could hand in recyclable materials. A total of 786.45 kg of waste was collected, including paper, plastic, aluminum, and film - almost 4.7 times more than in 2025. As a result, nearly 0.8 tons of waste did not end up in landfill but was sent for recycling. Environmental practices at the fund’s events have been systematically implemented since 2019 and continue to evolve.

The run also served as a platform for charitable initiatives. Participants supported the Teplo project – at the start, runners left warm clothing, which was later collected, sorted, and distributed to those in need. The initiative can be supported year-round, with a dedicated collection box installed at the entrance to the Botanical Garden.

The event also featured an inclusive component. A mother-and-child room operated in the finish area, separate restrooms were introduced, and specialised facilities for people with disabilities were installed.

Being a running mom is not easy, especially with a small child. The introduction of a dedicated mother-and-child room at the Almaty Half Marathon marked an important step in supporting active women and made participation in the run with children easier. The space was equipped with everything needed – two  changing tables, a feeding chair with a privacy screen, complimentary nappies, wipes, and changing pads, as well as design elements creating a sense of comfort and care.

“Each year, more and more women take part in our fund’s runs, and it is important to us that every participant can run in the safest and most comfortable conditions possible. Last year, the number of female participants increased by 20%. We hope every woman achieved her goal, and for our part, we ensured the right conditions were in place,” said Saltanat Kazybayeva, Race Director of the Almaty Marathon and co-founder of the women’s running community Trigada.

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

Registration for the fund’s next event - the Astana Half Marathon- is already open.