‘Record’ turnout for Lefkoşa run
MORE than 10,000 people took part in the “Lefkoşa Marathon” 21km and 10km races, and a 4km fun run last Sunday.
The event, held for the first time since 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, was organised by Lefkoşa Turkish Municipality in aid of its new “Living Centre”, which aims to provide services for the city’s older residents under one roof.
It was also supported by the TRNC Athletics Federation, with Esmen Group Armani Exchange as the main sponsor.
Lefkoşa Mayor Mehmet Harmancı said there was a “record turnout” for this year’s event, the 10th to date, noting that some 13,000 people had registered.
Most of the registrations were for the 4km “public run”, which was held in a carnival atmosphere.
Among those taking part were Mr Harmancı, top Turkish sprinter Ramil Guliyev, President Ersin Tatar and his predecessor Mustafa Akıncı, American ambassador Judith Garber, mayors and MPs.
Athletes from across the TRNC, South Cyprus, Turkey and other countries also took part.
“The Lefkoşa [half] marathon has become a trademark which attracts par
ticipants not only from the capital but from across the country,” Mr Harmancı said at a joint press conference with Ramil Guliyev before the start of the event.
“Furthermore, the event also has seen an increased participation of sportspeople.”
Guliyev said: “The Covid-19 pandemic had a huge impact on sports, but this is now over. I am happy to take part in this marathon, which is important for the TRNC.”
President Tatar said: “This event sends out a message of brotherhood, solidarity, health and the environment.”
Fortunately for the participants there was no rain, but glorious sunshine on the day of event.
The first to cross the finish line of the 21km half marathon, which began and ended outside the Lefkoşa Turkish Municipality headquarters, was Mestan Turhan, who finished in a time of one hour 11 minutes and 53 seconds. He was just eight seconds ahead of Ege Yöldüren in second place, with Yusuf Gökalp just another five seconds back in third.
In the women’s half marathon Gamze Bulut Duvar won in a time of 1h 20m 53s, a full eight minutes in front of Aleyna Sarıkaya in second place. Mine Devrim was third in a time of 1h 33m 27s.
The winner of the men’s 10k race was Hakan Tazegül, while Kader Güvenç won the women’s category. There were also age categories for each race, divided into gender, of 18-29, 30-39, 40-49 and 50+.
An awards ceremony for the top three in each category of the 10km and 21km races was held later in the day at the Büyük Han (Great Inn) in Lefkoşa’s walled city.
Plaquettes of appreciation were also given to the sponsors and the TRNC Athletics Federation. Mr Harmancı also thanked “every individual and every businessperson” for their “solidarity and trust”.
He added: “Some of us ran, some of us walked, some of us worked for months on organising the event.
“It is a great honour . . . to be able to bring together so many people of different colours for a common goal, and to make people from different age groups happy for a single goal. Thank you to all the participants.”
THREE teams ended week five of the 2022/2023 Super League season on top of the table on 13 points each. Defending champions Mağusa Türk Gücü (MTG) edged ahead of the pack on goal difference after thrashing China Bazaar Gençlik Gücü 5-1 at home last Saturday.
Striker Şenol Şöför was the man of the match as he netted four times for MTG following the opener by Uğur.
Early frontrunners Yenicami saw their 100 per cent start to the season end on the same day as they were held to a goalless draw at home to Cihangir. The result meant Yenicami slipped to second place in the standings.
Mircale Değirmenlik are the third team on 13 points thanks to a 3-1 home victory against Küçük Kaymaklı on Sunday. The match had been heading for a draw before the hosts struck twice in the 90th minute.
Yonpaş Dumlupınar are fourth on 10 points after they defeated bottom side Hamitköy by a single goal last Saturday.
After losing their first three matches, Doğan Türk Birliği won their second match in row to move up to ninth in the table.
They thumped hosts Gönyeli 5-1, a scoreline that left the home team second from last in the Super League table.
Çetinkaya’s return to the top flight took another blow, losing 30 away to Türk Ocağı Limasol last Saturday.
In the weekend’s remaining matches Lefke won 3-1 away to Merit Alsancak Yeşilova and there were no goals in the game between Göçmenköy and Mesarya.