21K

Every year, we make improvements to provide you with a better marathon and course experience on race day. This year, the 20th Istanbul Half Marathon will have some criteria for the registration process.

To register for the 21K category, you must meet one of the following criteria:

• Having completed a 42K race within the last two years within a time frame of 6 hours and 20 minutes, approved by the Turkish Athletics Federation and with a certified course measurement.
• Having completed a 21K race within the last two years within 3 hours and 25 minutes, approved by the Turkish Athletics Federation and with a certified course measurement.
• Having completed a 15K race within the last year within 2 hours and 15 minutes, approved by the Turkish Athletics Federation and with a certified course measurement.
• Having completed a 10K race within the last year within 1 hour and 30 minutes, approved by the Turkish Athletics Federation and with a certified course measurement.

To learn about other road races that meet these criteria, click here.

Registration Process:

• If you have previously met one of the above criteria in a road race organized by Spor Istanbul, your result is already in our system, and you can register without uploading any documents.
• If you have not previously met one of the above criteria in a road race organized by Spor Istanbul but have a valid document (a certificate or official result page from a race approved by the Turkish Athletics Federation or from a race held abroad) you need to upload it during the registration process.
• The document you upload will go through an approval process and will be reviewed by our team. The status of your document will be confirmed within a maximum of 3 business days.
• Once your document is reviewed and approved, you will receive an email directing you to the payment step. After completing the payment, you can complete your registration.
• If your document is not approved, you will receive an email notifying you of the disapproval, and you will be asked to upload a valid document before the final registration deadline.

All the athletes who are 16 or above by April 27, 2025, can register.

Athletes aged 16-18 who meet the criteria for the Türkiye İş Bankası 20th Istanbul Half Marathon must complete the Parental Consent Form and submit it in person to the officials during the kit distribution.

You can access the Parental Consent Form here.

The quota for the 21K category is limited to 8,500 people.

04:30 – Cutting the entire track to vehicle traffic
06:30 – 10K Entrance to the Area
07:15 – 21K Entrance to the Area
08:00 – 10K Race Start
08:30 – Estimated Finish Time of the 10K Champion
09:15 – Elite Athlete and 21K Race Start
09:30 – End of the 10K Race
10:15 -21K Champion’s Estimated Finish Time
11:00 – Award Ceremony
11:05 – Opening Balat to Traffic
11:45 – Opening of Sirkeci to Traffic
12:40 – End of 21K Race
12:50 – Master athletes award ceremony
13:30 – Opening of Yenikapi to Traffic

21K Race Course

21K Race Course Links

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1FKS_MRPfS-2FvPnTIYLUBTviLFEnQ8A&usp=sharing

The starting point of the Istanbul Half Marathon is located at the Langa bus stop in front of the Yenikapı meeting area in Fatih District. The race begins at Yenikapı and continues along Kennedy Avenue. It proceeds to Namık Kemal Street connection road, then follows Gazi Mustafa Kemal Avenue, Kumkapı Segah Street connecting , Kumluk Street, Şair Sermet Street, and Aksokal Street. The race course passes through Cankurtaran and Ahırkapı streets, and moves on through Çatladıkapı, exiting at the Sarayburnu gate of Gülhane Park.

From Sarayburnu, the race course continues to the Sirkeci traffic lights, to Ankara Street connection . The runners then proceed Eminönü and turn in the direction of Karaköy, crossing the Galata Bridge.

U-turn at the traffic lights at the end of the bridge, the race continues via Eminönü, Rağıp Gümüşpala Street, and the Kazancılar Street side road.

The race course continues via Unkapanı, crossing the Atatürk Bridge and following Atatürk Street’s connecting roads to Cibali. It passes the Kadir Has intersection, proceeding along Kadir Has Street, Seferikoz Street, Şerefiye Street, and into Balat.

From there, it continues via Ayakapı Street, Miralay Nazımbey Street, Dr. Sadık Ahmet Street, Yıldırım Street, and Abdülezelpaşa Street.

Before reaching the Golden Horn Bridge, the race makes a U-turn within the Fatih District boundary and follows the same coastal road back in the opposite direction. The return route Mürselpaşa Street, Abdülezelpaşa Street, Balat, Cibali, Eminönü, Sirkeci, Sarayburnu, Cankurtaran, and Kumkapı, before ending back at the starting point in Yenikapı.

Traffic Closure Times and Race Details

Traffic Closure:
04.30  – 13.30

Start Times:

• 10K Start: 08.00
• 21K Start: 09.15

Half Marathon Cut-off Points

09.15 – 10.00 / 0 – 5K

• Kennedy Avenue: Yenikapı, Kumkapı, Çatladıkapı, Sarayburnu

10.00 – 11.50 / 5 – 10K

• Galata Bridge
• Rağıp Gümüşpala Avenue
• Abdülezelpaşa Avenue
• Ayvansaray Avenue
• Areas covered: Sirkeci, Unkapanı, Karaköy, Eminönü, Cibali, Balat, Ayvansaray traffic lights

10.50 – 11.40 / 10 – 15K

• Ayvansaray Avenue
• Abdülezelpaşa Avenue
• Rağıp Gümüşpala Avenue
• Areas covered: Ayvansaray, Balat, Cibali, Eminönü, Sirkeci

11.40 – 12.40 / 15 – 21K

• Kennedy Avenue
• Areas covered: Cankurtaran, Kumkapı, Yenikapı (inbound traffic will be closed)

Roads to be Closed as of 04.30 due to İstanbul Half Marathon:

*E POLICE

**G PRIVATE SECURITY

Between 0 K – 5K:  09.15 – 10.00

Between 5K – 10K: 10.00 – 10.50 

Between 10K – 15K: 10.50 – 11.40

Between 15K – 21K: 11.40 – 12.40 

During registration, your ranking in the document you uploaded during registration or the ranking of your runs in the system are taken into account. Using this information, we will guide athletes to the correct pace gate according to their bib number so as to help them enter the race area. Each athlete must enter to the race area using the gate indicated on his or her bib number. Using another door to race area is not allowed. For example; an athlete who has a bib number indicating the letter “A” cannot enter to the area using the Gate B.

Pacemakers will line up at the starting point according to their targeted finishing time. These athletes will be present at the start of the Half-Marathon. Pacemakers will help you to start the race and control race time according to your targeted place.

Sharp turns on the race course will be marked in BLUE.

The intermediate times of the participants are measured every 5 kilometers.

Each km will be indicated by markers along the course.

There will be public and portable toilets available in various spots on the race course. The toilet spots will be indicated with signs so as to ensure that runners get easy access. The toilets will generally be placed 100 to 200 meters after water stations.

Please fill in the information requested on the reverse of your bag number and attach it to your bag. The number tag must be attached to your bag before the race. Please do not use this number if you will not deliver your bag.

Only the bags provided to athletes will be accepted at the luggage tents by the organization committee. The other bags and belongings will not be accepted due to security concerns.

Bags must be delivered to luggage tents before the time for delivery is over. The bags not delivered until such time will not be accepted.

Participants must not put valuable articles, money, telephone, wallet or similar other belongings in the bags they will deliver to luggage tents. In case of lost bags, the institution and authorities who hold the organization cannot be held responsible.

Bags may be lost in case of bag delivery to a place or vehicle other than luggage tents. In such case, the institution and authorities who hold the organization cannot be held responsible.

*Don not forget that you need to leave your luggage  at the latest 20 minutes before the start time of the category you will run. For example, for the run that will start at 08.10, the athlete must have delivered his/her bag at 07.50 at the latest.

Men Age Groups

35-39 / 40-44 / 45-49 / 50-54 / 55-59 / 60-64 / 65-69 / 70-74 / 75-79 / 80-84 / 85+

Women Age Groups

35-39 / 40-44 / 45-49 / 50-54 / 55-59 / 60-64 / 65-69 / 70-74 / 75-79 / 80-84 / 85+

Participants who finish the race after the time limit forfeit a right to medal.

21K General Classification – 21K Turkish Classification – Turkey Half Marathon Championships Award Ceremony will be held at 11:00;

21K Master Athletes Award Ceremony will be held at 12:50.

Race kit distributions will take place at Kanyon Shopping Center.

Race Kit Distribution Days and Hours:

• Wednesday, April 23, 10.00-19.00
• Thursday, April 24, 10.00-19.00
• Friday, April 25, 10.00-19.00
• Saturday, April 26 10.00-18.00

Overall ranking rewards (elite athletes) will be awarded based on gun time. All age group and other prizes will be given according to chip measurement times. Your position at the start line, how further back you are from the start line, does not affect your measurement. Your race time starts to be measured on the moment you cross the chip carpet.

Electronic Timing Chip

At the Race Kit Distribution area, all participants who register for the race will be given an Electronic Timing Chip with Recycling feature, that will measure their grades during the race.

Do not forget to wear your chip distributed with the race kits on the day of the race, do not take it out of your shoes during the race. The degrees of the racers running without chips cannot be measured.

We strongly advise you not to exchange your chip with other runners, as your chip is identified by your identification information.

Do not cross the finish line a second time or re-enter any part of the race course.

Participants will get their bib numbers during the distribution of kits. Your bib number will be determined when you will get your kit.

Your bib number is special for you and to Türkiye İş Bankası 20th Istanbul Half-Marathon. Do not copy it or exchange with other participants.

If you give your bib number to another person or change it, your rank will be cancelled since you will be deemed to have violated the race rules.

ATTENTION: If you give your bib number to or exchange it with another person, this may risk his or her health since he or she will not be sufficiently prepared to Half-Marathon.

Don’t forget to stick your bag numbers given to you during the kit distribution
on the number field in front of your bags!

To enter the event area, you must present your bib number.

Each athlete must enter the race area through the gate indicated on their bib number. Entry through a different gate will not be permitted. For example, an athlete assigned to enter through Gate “A” will not be allowed to enter through Gate “B.”

Your bib number must be attached on your chest throughout the race.

You need to attach your bib number in visible fashion so as to ensure that the official photographers of  Istanbul Half-Marathon can take your photos and you can find these photos later.

Please do not forget to put on the timekeeping chip, which has been delivered to you with your bib number and is used for keeping the time of your run, before the race starts.

Please completely fill in the required information on the reverse of your bib number, so that we can immediately intervene in case of any health issue.

Please get a medical examination before the race.

Patients with respiratory tract and heart diseases must not attend to the race.

You should attend to the race after a good sleep and rest.

Please have a breakfast early in the morning of the race and avoid alcoholic and acid drinks.

You should definitely put on your running shoes with socks.

You can cream your toes in order to prevent possible wounds which may occur after the race.

Please leave the race and ask help from health officers in case of any health issue which may occur during the race.

Important: 

Do not take part in the race if you have recently had a cold, flu or fever; if you have vomited; if you had chest pains; or if you are weak and not feeling well. You may be at serious risk on race day. In this case, please be informed that Istanbul Half-Marathon will also be held one year later and consider attending to the next race.

Bus Departure Points for Runners Leaving the Race

There will be 3 buses at the 13th, 15th and 17th kilometres for runners who leave the race and don’t wish to continue till the finish point.

To read our blog “What Should I Do to Avoid Injuries?” you can click here.

To read our blog “What Should Be the Fluid and Nutrient Intake while Preparing for the Marathon?” you can click here.

Before the race
– Flight/journey
– Visa/passport
– Hotel/Accommodation
– Money transfer

Event Week
– Check your flight times
– Determine your emergency contacts

The race day
– Check bus locations and times so you can reach the starting point.
– Attach your chest number to your t-shirt with hooked needles and fill in the information on the back.
– Attach your race chip to your shoe so that your running time can be measured.
– Please bring shorts and the t-shirt (previously worn), running socks, gloves, headband, sunglasses, pulsimeter watch and running shoes (must be minimum 50k and worn previously).
-Bring old shorts and t-shirts with you to warm up at the start area.
– Have enough beverages with you.
– Hand over your race bag to the items buses.

After the race
– Food and drink
– Shirt
-Receiving your race bag from the luggage tent

Istanbul Half Marathon is a running event and, therefore, athletes are not allowed to attend with a bicycle, motorcycle, any wheeler or non-wheeler vehicle or an animal. Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality organizes other races and events for sports performed with these means. Participants are required to arrive with sportswear suitable for the organization.

It is strictly prohibited for all the runners who register to any category under Istanbul Half Marathon, to bring or exhibit at the race area products which promote a brand, foundation, organization or entity other than the t-shirts, flags and similar other articles distributed by the sponsor companies. Legal action will be taken against those persons and institutions who behave to the contrary.

Dear participant, we would like to remind you that participants without a chest number, children under the age of 16, baby strollers, strollers, pets, scooters / bicycles and any other means of transportation that may endanger the safety of the race will not be allowed on the Türkiye İş Bankası Istanbul Half Marathon course and free bus services.

Participants who have completed the registration process are deemed to have read and approved all the rules of the Istanbul Half Marathon.

 All information regarding the organization is subject to change (e.g. route, date, venue, etc.). Please revisit our website in the days leading up to the race for information regarding any changes.

 Only those with a chest number will be admitted to the race area. For family participants, each family member must register separately.