Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – The Aral Sea Eco Marathon took place in Karakalpakstan on the dried-up bed of the Aral Sea, initiated by Minister of Ecology Aziz Abdukhakimov, in commemoration of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.

The marathon, covering a distance of 42 km 195 m, saw participation from 12 athletes hailing from Uzbekistan, Kenya, Togo, France, China, Japan, Pakistan, and the Philippines.

The event aimed to draw global attention to the ecological disaster of the Aral Sea and the need for the prudent use of water resources.

Athletes who completed the race with times ranging from 4:43:23 and above highlighted the enormity of the Aral region's tragedy and urged the international community to adopt more rational water resource management practices.