Samarkand Marathon 2025

On November 9, 2025, ancient Samarkand once again reaffirmed its status as the pearl of the East. The Samarkand Marathon is not just a sports competition, but a unique cultural experience that allows participants to connect with the great legacy of the Silk Road.

 

This year, the event reached a truly grand scale, with nearly 9,000 people at the starting line. Traditionally, the event is hugely popular among runners from Russia and CIS countries, who are drawn by the combination of local color, hospitality, and perfect autumn weather.

 

Special attention on this day was focused on the participants of the Turkic Alliance of Long Runs (TAN) series. 84 marathoners from the alliance, continuing their journey through the Turkic world, took to the start in Samarkand.

 

For many of them, this race became the culmination of the season. 22 athletes officially completed the 2025 TAN series right here in Samarkand. These athletes successfully overcame the required stages in different countries of the Alliance and will now become recipients of the unique series finisher medal — a symbol of the resilience and unity of the Turkic peoples.

 

The start-finish area was located in the very heart of the city, next to the majestic Registan Square. Athletes were greeted by an ensemble of three legendary madrasas: Ulugh Beg, Sher-Dor, and Tilya-Kori.

 

The route for the various distances (42.2 km, 21.1 km, 10 km, 5 km, 2 km, and Nordic walking) wound through the streets of the old city. Participants ran against a backdrop of ancient mosques, turquoise domes, and historical monuments, turning the competition into an exciting tour on the run.

 

The Samarkand Marathon maintains its important charitable mission. All funds raised at the 2025 event will be directed toward creating an inclusive environment in cultural facilities. The goal of the fundraiser is to purchase special equipment to adapt museums for visually impaired and blind visitors, ensuring that art and history are accessible to everyone.

 

The TAN Alliance is proud of its athletes' achievements and congratulates the 22 series finishers on successfully completing this grand sporting journey!