The 10th Gelibolu International Marathon has begun on the historical Gelibolu peninsula in Çanakkale province in Turkey.
The event was organized with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Çanakkale Province Administration and the Çanakkale-Gelibolu Historical Zone Authority with the sponsorship of the company Turkcell.
The event, held under the slogan “On the 110th anniversary of the victory in Canakkale, we run shoulder to shoulder,” brought together 3,500 athletes from 27 countries.
Participants compete in races at distances of 42, 21 and 10 kilometers, as well as in the people’s race of 1,915 meters, symbolizing year of the Battle of Canakkale. The start was given in the village of Kilitbakhir in the Ejeabat district near the Namazgah battery. First, professional athletes started, and then, after the second signal, the people’s race began.
The head of the Office of the Canakkale-Gelibolu Historical Zone, Ismail Kashdemir, told Anadolu that the marathon was being held for the tenth time. “Thousands of people come to Canakkale to run or walk shoulder to shoulder. This place unites, awakens spiritual feelings, especially for the Turkish people, because the path to the Republic began here. Our goal is to unite people, to help them better understand history. We want tens of thousands of participants to gather here in the future. Peace and prosperity now reign in the lands where there was war,” he emphasized Cashdemir.
He also noted that this year 500 young athletes are participating in the marathon for the first time. Half marathon participant Mine Shar, who took second place in her age category last year, said that she won 8 cups in six months thanks to disciplined preparation. “I am a tennis player, but after tennis I started running. Gelibolu is my homeland, a piece of paradise. Everyone should play sports and follow their dreams,” she shared.
Okan Aracagök from Izmir participates in the marathon in a wheelchair due to spinal cord paralysis. “Gelibolu is a sacred land. Running here is especially exciting. In 2016, I participated in the half marathon, and now I am competing at 21 kilometers. It is a great honor,” he said, wishing success to all participants.
Among the marathon participants were Çanakkale Governor Omer Toraman, Commander of the 2nd Gelibolu Corps, Major General Mehmet Ozeren, Rector of Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Cüneyt Erenoğlu, Head of Eceabat District Administration Kerem Yenigün, Provincial Police Chief Ergun Dagistanli, Gendarmerie Commander Cemalattin Akyüz, Director of Youth and Sports Department Omer Kalkan and President of the Turkish Athletics Federation Ahmet Karadag.