The first runners gathered before sunrise. Shoelaces were tied tightly. Sneaker soles beat relentlessly on the dry pavement in the early morning, as runners warmed up and volunteers stood at the ready with bottles of water on the sidelines of the 42-kilometer race course. As the onlookers cheered and the runners made their way to the starting line, a wave of excitement on the morning of September 28 rippled through the city — the runners of Almaty were ready to conquer the 13th Almaty Running Marathon.
Since 2021, the number of participants in the Almaty Marathon has grown dramatically — from 2,500 runners to more than 17,000 as of 2025. The marathon is a tradition that brings different people together: teenagers and the elderly, professionals and beginners, people with disabilities, and those who run for charity or for loved ones.
The organizers emphasize that the main goal of the marathon is the development of the culture of running in Kazakhstan. The official website of the marathon states as goal “[to raise] the attitude toward sport and a healthy lifestyle to a new level.” Apart from athletes, the marathon attracts companies, universities, and media, creating infrastructure and promoting the value of health, both physical and mental.
The view from the streets
“Unity, that is how I would describe this marathon,” said Yasmin Saulebay, a former KIMEP student who participated as a runner.
Lining the route were volunteers who supported the runners; they clapped, gave water, sang, shouted, and cleaned the streets after the marathon. Some KIMEP students ran the marathon, but others were also present as support – the student organization Art Revolution, for example performed with songs for the runners.
“Motivation to support others – that is what drove us,” said Arina Lyssenko, fourth-year student and president of Art Revolution. The musicians performed different songs, starting with Kazakh folk selections such as ‘Makhkhabatym’ by Moldanazar, and finishing with another song by Taylor Swift. There was even, most likely for the first time in the history of the marathon, a gender reveal. “It was a girl,” said Lyssenko.
Altogether, there were 16,000 runners, all of them showing up for different reasons: some for fun, to listen to their favorite songs, to dance, to feel support, and some to find out the gender of their child.
“But the goal we had was only one – to reach the end,” said Saulebay.
“A Challenge to Myself”
“For me, it is more than sport – it is a tradition and a challenge to myself,” said Erik Orazaliev, director of KIMEP’s Sports Center, who has participated in the Almaty Marathon for the last 10 years.
Orazaliev organizes the distribution of free tickets for students and employees, and with each year the number of those who request a ticket increases: in this year’s marathon, more than 30 people from KIMEP participated. The university’s initiative to provide free tickets has made a big influence – for some, it is the first step on the way to an active lifestyle and sport. Orazaliev said that he often notices how, after the marathon, the participating students begin regularly to visit the Sports Center, preparing for other sports events.
Orazaliev’s words are confirmed by Lyssenko.
“Sport helped me feel alive,” she said. Moreover, the society that supports the sport style of life gives motivation to continue to develop in it, she said.
A Runner’s Struggle and Motivation
“But talking about running… for me is like a bad word — frightening, and about it one doesn’t want to hear it again,” said Lyssenko. The university played a big role in Lyssenko’s running journey, since thanks to the free ticket, she decided to test her limits, to see what my mind and body are capable of, she said. The student’s training lasted a month – “It is not so much, and I do not advise to set yourself such short terms, but for me it became a huge push to raise self-esteem and opened a strong aspiration to move further and in other spheres.”
At the seventh kilometer, Lyssenko said that it seemed to her that there were no more forces: she concentrated on the very run, and it weighed heavily on her mind. Only the atmosphere around could save: The guys from Halyk or Freedom Bank held funny posters, and one of them especially stood out: “Breakfast is waiting for you.” This inscription made her laugh, she said, she ran up to the guy with the poster, they made a “high five,” and strength returned.
“The thought of food made me run faster, lol,” Lyssenko said.
So, shoelaces are tied tightly, volunteers set their alarms for 6 a.m., and the participants prepare warm clothes. The finish line is waiting for the first runner…