Held under the slogan of “Conquer the wind”, following the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s initiative, “Baku Marathon 2016” ended with rewarding the winners.

Fans gathered at the Baku Olympic Stadium supported “conquerors of the wind”. The finishing line and rewarding ceremony too were at the Baku Olympic Stadium. At the marathon, Namig Asadov took the first place among men, the second was Georgian citizen George Damenia, and Tural Sadykhly took the third place. Among women, Rahida Aslanova reached the finishing line first, Natasha Petersen from the Great Britain was second, and Ragsana Rajabli reached the finishing line third.

Then a ceremony of rewarding the winners of “Baku Marathon 2016” took place. The winner of the first place was rewarded by the founders with 3 thousand Manats, the second place received 2 thousand Manats, and the winner of the third place won a thousand Manats. They were also presented souvenirs.

The marathon was organized following the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s initiative and with the support of the Seaside Boulevard Department and the Baku Olympic Stadium. The project was implemented by SMG (Sport Marketing Group) Company.

Held following the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, “Baku Marathon 2016” was launched at 10:00 a.m. on May 1^st from the State Flag Square.

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

Up to 500 foreigners joined the competition, along with Azerbaijani citizens. Heads and representatives of companies from Spain, France, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Iran, India, Czech Republic etc. operating in Azerbaijan, students, sportsmen, a number of well-known public and political figures, and representatives of the public were among the participants. The marathon was also joined by guests from Austria, Germany, Spain, France, Russia, the Great Britain, United Arab Emirates, Kenia etc.

The marathon’s starting shot was made by Olympic champion, world champion for trapshooting Zemfira Meftahetdinova.

Maximum 4 hours and 30 minutes had been allocated to overcome the distance of a semi-marathon – 21 kilometres. The participants ran, starting from the Seaside National Park, along Neftchiler avenue, then Yusif Safarov street. Then, passing by the Heydar Aliyev Centre, ran along the Heydar Aliyev avenue till the Baku Olympic Stadium. Along the route, participants’ needs for water and other necessary supplies were satisfied, and first aid services provided. Participants who could not continue running the marathon, as well as those coming to support them and others were taken to the finishing line in special busses. Along the route, a total of 5 bus stops were functioning.

The primary objective of the marathon is to provide support to development of sports, propagate healthy lifestyle among people, especially the youth, and bring them together for benevolent purposes. City residents and visitors of the city over 16 years of age joined the marathon, having got preliminarily registered. Those wishing to join “Baku Marathon 2016” applied from April 11 till April 25 to registration points installed at trade centres of Baku, or passed registration online via the website of Baku Marathon 2016 (www.bakumarathon.az).

Over 7000 participants were registered to participate in the marathon. As funds to be paid in connection with students’ participation were covered by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, they did not make payment when getting registered.

Money collected in the Baku Marathon will be spent for projects of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation aimed at children deprived of parental care.

Fan zones arranged at the Baku Olympic Stadium on the day of marathon was open for all. Various entertainments, concert, games and lotteries were arranged here for the participants. Over 20 types of entertainment – football, lottery games, mini-circus, animators and concert – were organized in an area of 20 thousand square metres. Every visitor of the fan zone had a chance to welcome those reaching the finishing line, and congratulate the winners. A special route had been organized for visitors’ comfort. The fan zone has functioned throughout the whole day of competition.

The Volkicar show arranged by the Automobile Federation of Azerbaijan was also presented at the Baku Olympic Stadium.

It should be mentioned that such marathons have so far been organized in the cities of London, Paris, Boston, New York, Chicago, Berlin, Barcelona, Istanbul etc. A full marathon is 42 kilometres long, accordingly, the semi-marathon is 21 kilometres.

Along with being a sports event, marathons have also a charitable purpose. The London marathon held in 1981 was entered on the Guinness Records Book as the largest charitable event. At the moment, marathons with a charitable purpose are held in a number of world countries.

As regards the strategic targets of the marathon, this public event aims at strengthening peoples’ interest towards sports, and attracting more tourists. Values of the marathon are consolidating people around the purposes of unity, benevolence and solidarity, encouraging the youth to be stronger physically, and promoting positiveness.

The Baku Marathon is expected to be held in the coming years too.