Countdown begins for Lefkoşa Half Marathon
Event returns for the first time since 2019
THE countdown has begun for the 2022 Lefkoşa Half Marathon, which will take place on Sunday, October 23.
The event is being organised by Lefkoşa Turkish Municipality (LTB) for the 10th time but the first time in three years following cancellations in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Details of this year’s event, which will be held under the main sponsorship of Esmen Group Armani Exchange and in cooperation with the TRNC Athletics Federation, were shared at a recent press conference.
It was announced that money raised will be used for LTB’s new “Living Centre”, which aims to provide services for elderly people under one roof.
It was also revealed at the press conference that Turkey’s record-breaking sprinter Ramil Guliyev and runners who have achieved “significant success in marathons in Turkey and around the world” will participate in the Lefkoşa Half Marathon.
Lefkoşa Mayor Mehmet Harmancı said he was “excited” to announce the half marathon again after a three year break.
“From the day we took office, we have worked with our councillors so the city can experience this marathon spirit, which started in 2008,” he said.
As well as the 21km half marathon, which will start at 7.30am, there will also be a 10km race starting at 7.45am and a 4km “public race” starting at 10.30am.
Registration for the half marathon and 10km race will start on Monday, October 10, in front of the LTB headquarters every weekday from 8.30am to 5pm and every Saturday from 9am to 1pm, with a deadline of 5pm on Friday, October 21.
Registration for the 4km public race will take place between 7.30am and 9.30am on the day of the race.
Entry fees are 50TL for the 4km race, 150TL for the 10km race and 250TL for the 21km half marathon.
As well as filling in an application form and paying the fee, participants for the 10km and 21km races will also need to provide a photocopy of their ID, while those under the age of 18 (minimum age 16) will also need signed permission from their parents or a “licence”. There is no age limit for the 4km race.
The time limit for the half marathon is two and half hours and the time limit for the 10km race is two hours. There is no time limit for the 4km race.
Ambulances from Lefkoşa Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital and Near East University Hospital will be on standby until the end of the event in case of an emergency.
Police and LTB officials will ensure that roads throughout the routes are closed to traffic in a “controlled manner”. For more information visit the official website lefkosamaratonu.com.