Tens of thousands of amateur and professional runners participated in the 39th İstanbul Marathon that has been held for the "Future of the Children" this year under the sponsorship of Vodafone.

[mks_dropcap style="letter" size="52" bg_color="#ffffff" txt_color="#000000"]T[/mks_dropcap]he world's only cross-continental marathon had 5 categories including 42K Marathon, 15K, 10K, public run [Halk Koşusu] as well as the category for wheelchair-bound participants. In the course of public run the Bosphorus Bridge hosted some vivacious and colorful scenes, where people danced hand in hand and performed yoga together.

Kenyan runner Ruth Chepngetich ranked first in the women's category, covering 42 km run in 2 hours, 22 minutes and 36 seconds. Chepngetich was followed by Kenyan athlete Visiline Jepkesho who became the first runner-up, completing the same distance four seconds later. Behind her was Ethiopian athlete Letebrhan Haylay finishing in 2 hours, 25 minutes and 14 seconds.

In the men's category, French athlete of Kenyan origin Abraham Kiprotich covered the same distance in 2 hours, 11 minutes and 22 seconds, ranking first in the men's category. He was followed by another Kenyan athlete Jacob Kendagor, who finished in 2 hours, 11 minutes and 27 seconds. The second runner up was Ethiopian Bazu Worku, completing the race in 2 hours, 11 minutes and 39 seconds.

'GIVE STRENGTH TO DREAMS' AND 'MY DAUGHTER SHALL GET EDUCATION'

NGOs actively participated in the marathon, including Community Center Foundation (Halkevleri Vakfı), Ali İsmail Korkmaz Foundation and numerous environmental organizations showing up with their placards and slogans. Especially Community Center Foundation with their campaign "My Daughter Shall Get Education" and Ali İsmail Korkmaz Foundation with their slogan "Give strength to dreams" became the most remarkable organizations in the marathon. HDP Group Deputy Chair Filiz Kerestecioğlu, too, run the marathon in support of Community Center Foundation and Ali İsmail Korkmaz Foundation. Along the 15K racetrack were people running with Ali İsmail Korkmaz T-shirts, and the mother Emel Korkmaz appeared in forefront of them.

CHP deputies Mahmut Tanal and Sezgin Tanrıkulu, independent deputy Aylin Nazlıaka, artist Melike Demirağ and thespain/actress Hülya Karakaş partook in the run. Along the marathon runners shouting "Ali İsmail Korkmaz" and "Give strength to dreams" slogans were applaused and supported by other runners.

At the end of the cross-continental marathon, people took souvenir photographs and all runners were awarded medal.