MINSK, 2 May (BelTA) – The Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s International Issyk‑Kul Marathon, Run the Silk Road – SCO 2026, took place on 2 May in the town of Cholpon‑Ata, Kyrgyz Republic, on the shores of Lake Issyk‑Kul. The marathon marked the SCO’s 25th anniversary, BelTA learned from the SCO headquarters.
More than 3,000 professional runners and amateur athletes from SCO member states and other countries took part in the marathon, organized by the State Agency for Physical Culture and Sports under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The event was opened by Ulan Mamatkanov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic. The marathon was attended by ministers from SCO member states, ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions accredited in Kyrgyzstan, as well as representatives of international sports and public organizations.
On the sidelines of the event, SCO Deputy Secretary General Oleg Kopylov gave an interview to Chinese journalists, in which he noted the contribution of member states to the Organization’s development, including, above all, Kyrgyzstan’s current SCO chairmanship. He emphasized the great importance of sports cooperation in strengthening humanitarian ties, promoting the principles of Olympism, and advocating for a healthy lifestyle across Eurasia.
Since 2012, the SCO’s International Issyk‑Kul Marathon has consistently demonstrated outstanding organization and met international sporting standards. The marathon holds certification from both the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races and World Athletics, a testament to its international prestige, top‑tier execution, and the recognition of athletes’ results for qualification in global competitions.
The marathon attracts everyone from elite athletes and running enthusiasts to young people and sports federation delegates. The program offers a full 42 km marathon, a 21 km half‑marathon, 10 km and 3 km runs, a 10 km Nordic walking event, and a children’s race.
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