Astana Half Marathon attracts 6000+ runners

With a new, flat course showcasing the capital’s urban landscape, runners chased personal bests or simply enjoyed the race-day atmosphere. The event was organized by the “Courage to Be First” Corporate Fund.

Race day began early. By 5:30 a.m., the start village on Independence Square was already buzzing with activity. Volunteers, partners, and the organizing team were in place, ready to welcome runners with energy and smiles.

“This is our fourth Astana Half Marathon,” said Saltanat Kazybayeva, Race Director. “This year, we moved the start from the EXPO site to Independence Square and updated the course to accommodate more runners. Our goal is to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone – where people finish smooth and enjoy the celebration.”

Astana Half Marathon is a member of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), and its routes are certified by World Athletics. Many runners come to Astana for fast times and record attempts — like Fayzullo Pulatkhojaev from Uzbekistan, who aimed to meet his national Candidate Master of Sport standard at 21.1 km (spoiler: he did, and he’s already eyeing the fall Almaty Marathon on September 28 for new results).
As is tradition, runners warmed up with coaches from Krida Fitness Club – helping prevent injuries and prep joints for the miles ahead. Promoting a conscious running culture where health comes first is at the heart of the race’s mission.

At 7:00 a.m., the half marathon and Ekiden relay kicked off. Familiar voice Valikhan Ten counted down, and with a loud cheer, the crowd surged forward, chasing their goals. Soon after, runners for the 10K and Nordic walking event began to gather.

By 7:50 a.m., over 6,000 runners were on course, passing some of Astana’s most iconic landmarks — the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, the Akorda Presidential Residence, the Esil River embankment, the Bayterek monument, and the Abu Dhabi Plaza. Usually busy city avenues were all theirs for the day – the air felt lighter, the city quieter.
The finish line awaited at the “Qazaq Eli” monument. Proud runners crossed it with smiles and medals glistening around their necks — and it was still not even 10 a.m.! Ukrainian runner Vitaly Shafar was the fastest in the men’s half marathon, finishing in 1:05:23, followed by Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Mutalipov (1:06:18) and Bekzod Boymatov (1:06:42).

Among women, Kazakhstan’s Dana Aidossova took the win with 1:17:43, followed by Yekaterina Tunguskova from Uzbekistan (1:18:29) and Russia’s Elena Tolstykh (1:19:45). Full results are available at almaty-marathon.kz.
Among the finishers was the inspiring 40-person inclusive team from Funduk — Kazakhstani runners with disabilities supported by fellow runners with big hearts.

“This is our third time at the Astana Half Marathon, and our team keeps growing,” said Sergey Kho, organizer of the inclusive team. “We’re building an inclusive society built on support and empathy. We want to inspire others to keep doing what they love, no matter what.”

The finish line festivities continued in the start village with games, snacks, and powerful speeches from organizers and partners. Runners recharged and recycled — with Zero Waste bins set up throughout the village for compost and recyclables.

With the first summer race behind us, it’s time to gear up for more! Don’t miss the region’s biggest race — the Almaty Marathon on September 28. Registration is open at almaty-marathon.kz.

Since 2012, the “Courage to Be First” Fund has been organizing athletic events across Kazakhstan for those embracing an active lifestyle. It all started with the Almaty Marathon — now the largest race in Central Asia — and today the team hosts more than 10 events annually. This year’s Almaty Marathon will gather over 16,000 participants.