Baku Marathon ends with "winners of wind"

/By Azernews/

By Amina Nazarli

More than 7,000 runners took to the roads for the Baku Marathon in the capital under the motto “Win the wind!” this Sunday.

From early morning, participants gathered at the State Flag Square, to overcome a distance of 21 kilometers, running through the Boulevard and the central streets to the Olympic stadium.

The Baku Marathon 2016, organized at the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, was aimed at creating a new culture in the history of Azerbaijani sport.

The marathon has not only become a bright festival, but also an opportunity to test ones’ strength. Joining this magnificent competition were pre-registered runners aged from 16 to 65 years. The oldest participant in the competition was a 77-year-old man, who really became a surprise for the event.

Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva also participated in the marathon.

Prominent public figures and representatives of the ministries, famous athletes and sports enthusiasts, artists and business people, students and youth joined the contest. The event caused great interest of foreign citizens - both those who live and work in Azerbaijan, and those who arrived from abroad.

Truly festive atmosphere reigned at the start: some warmed up, others danced and joked and even bet on who quickly reached the finish line.

So, in addition to the citizens of Azerbaijan, up to 500 foreigners joined the marathon.

Twenty-seven-year-old Azerbaijani teacher Namig Asadov created history on the streets of Baku this Sunday reaching the finish line of the inaugural marathon first.

“It’s my first marathon. Previously I was engaged in athletics. It is gratifying that Azerbaijan hosts such competitions," Namig said.

Georgian national Georgi Damenia, and Tural Sadigli came in second and third, respectively.

Rahida Aslanova won the women's race as part of the Baku Marathon, and the British national Natashda Peterson, and Reksane Rajabli came in second and third, respectively.

The Baku Marathon 2016 has been organized at a very high level and it’s a fantastic event, said UK's participant Petersen, who has been living in Baku for two years.

“I hoped that I would be among the winners in the marathon," Rajabli, 20-year-old-student of the Azerbaijan State Academy of Physical Culture and Sports, said. "Earlier, I participated in the 17-kilometer-marathon, so I have had no difficulties today."

The marathon winners were awarded a prize of 3,000 manats, while those coming in second and third got 2,000 manats and 1,000 manats, respectively.

The strategic goal of the event is turning the Baku marathon into one of the most prestigious sporting events and encouraging participation of foreign athletes and visitors.

The competition’s logo combines elements, reflecting the peculiarities of Baku and marathon competitions. Funds from the marathon will be spent on the project of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, associated with the children deprived of parental care.

To date, such marathons have been held in London, Paris, Boston, New York, Chicago, Berlin, Barcelona, Istanbul and other cities.

A full marathon covers a distance of 42 kilometers, while a half-marathon is 21 kilometers.