BISHKEK (TCA) — The International Issyk-Kul Marathon of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) “Run the Silk Road” took place on May 11 in the resort town of Cholpon-Ata at Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kul Lake.
The participants competed in three categories: the marathon – 42km 195m, the half marathon – 21km, 10km, and the Scandinavian walk – 3km, Xinhua reported.
The opening ceremony was attended by officials of Kyrgyzstan and representatives of the SCO Secretariat.
First Deputy Chief of the Kyrgyz President’s Office Almaz Kenenbaev read out the message of President Sooronbai Jeenbekov. In his message, the President said that the Issyk-Kul International Marathon will become an annual tradition and a celebration of friendship of the peoples of the SCO member states.
Deputy Secretary General of the SCO, Aizada Subakozhoeva, greeted the participants of the event on behalf of the SCO Secretary General Vladimirov Norov. She noted that the Issyk-Kul SCO Marathon is one of the most important, large-scale cultural events that are held as part of the chairmanship of the Kyrgyz side in the SCO.
“It is gratifying to note that the marathon has attracted great interest not only among the representatives of the SCO countries, but also from the states of Southeast Asia and Europe,” Subakozhoeva said.
Deputy Director of the State Agency for Youth Affairs, Phisical Culture and Sports of Kyrgyzstan Kanatbek Arpachiev told Xinhua that the marathon was held in Kyrgyzstan for the 8th time and this time it was supported by the SCO.
He noted that the Kyrgyz side plans to further cooperate with the Chinese side on conducting such joint events.
More than 2,000 people from 27 countries and regions took part in the marathon.
China’s Yang Le won the men’s half marathon race and Pan Yinli finished third in the women’s marathon.
The total prize of the SCO Marathon was more than 40,000 US dollars.
