Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 8 February, a press conference was held at the Uzbekistan Athletics Federation on preparations for one of the most anticipated mass sports events of the year - BYD - VI Tashkent International Marathon. The meeting with media representatives was attended by Kamoliddin Usmonov, Deputy Chairman of the Federation and Kamoliddin Ruzamukhamedov, Secretary General of the Federation.

The Tashkent Marathon is an international-level sporting event, the only one in Uzbekistan with World Athletics Label status.

The marathon is included in the World Athletics (International Association of Athletics Federations) world competition calendar. In 2023, as part of the event, rating points were played for the upcoming Summer Olympic Games in Paris, and in 2022, the marathon was held jointly with the international half-marathon of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, where athletes from 21 countries took part.

During the press conference, it was noted that this year the geography of participants has been expanded and runners from 32 countries are expected to participate. The organizers have also increased the number of slots and the capital will host about 5.5 thousand runners as part of the traditional spring race. The event program includes a classic marathon distance of 42 km, a half marathon distance of 21 km and distances of 3 and 10 km. On the eve of the marathon, it is planned to hold a “Kids Run” race and a Nordic walking competition.

The organizing committee also emphasized that the total prize fund of the marathon has been significantly increased and in 2024 it amounts to 720 million soums. For the first time, in addition to the main rewards, additional bonuses will be provided separately for the course record among men and women - 15 million soums for the marathon distance and 10 million soums for the half marathon. It is worth noting that the main budget of the marathon prize fund will be formed exclusively through the sale of slots.

The organizers of the marathon are the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, the Ministry of Sports of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the khokimiyat of the city of Tashkent, the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Defense of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Agency for Youth Affairs, the Federation of Trade Unions, JSC Uzbekneftegaz, the Athletics Federation of Uzbekistan.

The Athletics Federation of the Republic of Uzbekistan together with the Central Asian Athletics Association will act as coordinators of the sporting event for the sixth time.

At each stage of preparation, large-scale work is carried out to hold the marathon at a high level: from the quality of the track surface to ensuring anti-doping control. The Tashkent International Marathon route has an international certificate from the Association of International Marathons and Races (AIMS). On the eve of the event, international experts will arrive in Tashkent to evaluate the running marathon.

According to tradition, the start-finish town will be located in the very heart of the capital - at the intersection of Afrosiyob and Beshegoch streets (the area of the Humo Arena sports complex), and the distance route will run along the central streets, which will allow foreign participants to take a closer look at the sights of the city and immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the new running Tashkent.

During the meeting, journalists were given a presentation with key data on the organization of the marathon and were shown samples of uniforms, medals and starting numbers of participants. Information on the division of prize places is presented in detail and the route of the distances is shown.

Registration for the BYD - VI Tashkent International Marathon is open on the Perfend.com platform via the link https://perfend.com/events/sport/tashkent-marathon-6. The registration fee for participation in the marathon is 350 thousand soums, in the half marathon – 250 thousand soums, in the 10 km race – 190 thousand soums, in the 3 km race – 150 thousand soums, “Kids Run” (1 km) and the northern walking (3 km) – 150 thousand soums. Registration runs until April 5, 2024.

For those wishing to prepare for the marathon, the Athletics Federation offers free training at the organization’s stadium every Sunday from 12:00 to 13:30. Training begins on February 18 and is absolutely free for registered participants.

From 18 February, all registered participants will have the opportunity to take part in free training every Sunday from 12:00 at the Athletics Federation stadium.

It was noted that this year the organizers have introduced a new service for providing silver, gold and platinum participant numbers. This starter package allows runners to access the broadcast of the route online via the marathon telegram bot. The cost will vary depending on the chosen distance - from 250 thousand soums to 1 million 200 thousand soums.

To receive a participant’s starter package, you must register on the website https://perfend.com and arrive at the delivery point from 17 to 19 April 2024 from 10:00 to 18:00, showing the code and/or number of the registered participant. This year, an additional online registration service has also been introduced with delivery of the participant package for an additional payment through the marathon website or telegram bot from 5 to 12 April 2024.

At the end of the meeting, the participants expressed confidence that the organization of such international-level sporting events enhances the image of Uzbekistan, contributes to the development of friendly ties with neighboring countries through sports, and within the country contributes to the development of running culture and the popularization of a healthy lifestyle.