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Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon to Feature World-Class Fields This Sunday

The 20th edition of the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon is set to take place this Sunday, April 27, with a record number of runners and some of the strongest elite fields in the event’s history. Recognized as Türkiye’s premier road race and holding World Athletics Gold Label status, the race will once again highlight Istanbul’s growing stature on the global running calendar.

Race Director Renay Onur confirmed the event will go ahead as scheduled, noting that preparations remain on track and there is no cause for concern after a minor earthquake earlier in the week.

“We are proud to host the 20th edition of the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon with a record number of participants. Life continues as usual here in Türkiye—including in sport,” said Onur.

Organizers expect around 17,000 runners, including those in the parallel 10K event. The half marathon will start at 9:15 AM local time.

Men’s Race: Eyes on a Sub-59 Performance

With a course record of 59:15, the men’s field includes several contenders capable of pushing the pace.

• Haftu Teklu (ETH) leads the entries with a personal best of 59:06 and is coming off a 2:05:42 marathon victory in Seoul.

• Alex Matata (KEN), winner of the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in February with 59:20, has requested pacers for a sub-59:00 effort.

• Berehanu Tsegu (ETH), who clocked 59:42 in Lisbon and recently finished second in the Dubai Marathon with 2:05:14, adds further depth.

“I still want to run faster—into the 58s or even 57s,” Matata said, hinting that a breakthrough performance could come in Istanbul.

Women’s Race: Chelangat Returns, Kemboi Leads

Defending champion Sheila Chelangat (KEN) returns after a standout 2024 season in which she ran four personal bests, including 66:06 in Valencia. But she’ll face a formidable challenge from Judy Kemboi (KEN), who clocked 65:43 in Copenhagen and recently ran 66:34 in Ras Al Khaimah.

Kemboi, in strong form, will be paced by her fiancé Crispus Korir on Sunday—a rare personal touch in elite competition.

With six women on the start list holding PBs under 67:00, the race promises to be one of the most competitive yet. The course record of 64:02, set by Ruth Chepngetich during the pandemic in 2021, is likely out of reach, but fast times are still expected.

Elite Start Lists

MEN

• Haftu Teklu (ETH) – 59:06

• Alex Matata (KEN) – 59:20

• Berehanu Tsegu (ETH) – 59:42

• Callum Hawkins (GBR) – 60:00

• Gemechu Bute (ETH) – 60:03

• Ali Kaya (TUR) – 60:16

• Mathew Samperu (KEN) – 60:27

• Shadrack Kipkurui (KEN) – 60:40

• Abel Mutai (KEN) – 61:00

• Aaron Bienenfeld (GER) – 61:39

• Laban Kipkemboi (KEN) – 62:01

WOMEN

• Judy Kemboi (KEN) – 65:43

• Sheila Chelangat (KEN) – 66:06

• Fikrte Wereta (ETH) – 66:28

• Hiwot Gebrekidan (ETH) – 66:28

• Bekelech Gudeta (ETH) – 66:35

• Gete Alemayehu (ETH) – 66:37

• Miriam Chebet (KEN) – 66:43

• Betelihem Afenigus (ETH) – 66:46

• Zewditu Aderaw (ETH) – 67:38

• Cynthia Kosgei (KEN) – 68:29

• Daisilah Jerono (KEN) – 69:44

• Fridah Ndinda (KEN) – 69:49

• Kristina Hendel (GER) – 70:38

Event Details

• Date: Sunday, April 27

• Start Time: 9:15 AM local time

• Livestream Available 

(04/24/2025) Views: 122 ⚡AMP
by Race News Service with Boris Baron

Defending Champion Sheila Chelangat Returns for the 2024 Türkiye İş Bankası Istanbul Half Marathon – April 27

Sheila Chelangat (first two photos) is set to defend her title at the 20th edition of the Türkiye İş Bankası Istanbul Half Marathon on April 27. The 26-year-old Kenyan, who claimed her biggest career win on this same course last year, headlines a deep elite field featuring several of Africa’s top distance runners.

Chelangat made headlines in 2023 when she dropped nearly three minutes from her personal best to clock 66:47 in Istanbul. She continued to shine in 2024, running 66:42 in Copenhagen and a new PB of 66:06 in Valencia. But despite her strong form, she’s not the fastest woman in the field this year.

Fellow Kenyan Judy Kemboi, 25, enters as the top seed with a personal best of 65:43, set in Copenhagen. In just over a year, Kemboi has completed seven half marathons—winning five of them—including a strong second-place finish at this year’s Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon (66:34) and a win in Guadalajara at altitude.

Another top contender is 29-year-old Winfridah Moseti, who recently proved her marathon strength with a 2:16:56 runner-up finish in Tokyo. Her half marathon PB stands at 65:59 from Malaga, but her recent form suggests she’s ready for more.

In the men’s race, Ethiopia’s Haftu Teklu and Kenya’s Alex Matata are expected to battle for the title. Teklu brings a 59:06 best and course experience—he finished third in Istanbul two years ago. Just days ago, he also won the Seoul Marathon in 2:05:42, confirming his top form.

Matata, 27, is one of Kenya’s fastest-rising stars. He won the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in February with a personal best of 59:20, despite headwinds. In just one year of international competition, he’s already won six of his seven half marathons.

Not to be overlooked is Great Britain’s Callum Hawkins. A two-time World Championship marathon fourth-place finisher, Hawkins is returning to form and holds a half marathon PB of 60:00 from 2017.

Organizers expect around 17,000 runners across both the half marathon and parallel 10K event, making it Turkey’s largest and fastest half marathon. Entries are still open.

“Running around the historic city once ruled by three empires—and along the Golden Horn—is a priceless experience,” said Race Director Renay Onur. “Every runner should experience this event. And when champions return, it shows that Istanbul is one of the best places in the world to run.”

(03/26/2025) Views: 175 ⚡AMP

Sheila Chelangat surprises and Hicham Amghar wins in Istanbul

Sheila Chelangat was the surprise winner of the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon. The Kenyan smashed her personal best and clocked a fine 66:47 despite rainy weather conditions and slippery roads. Fellow-Kenyan and debutant Miriam Chebet took second with 67:14 while Ethiopia’s Zewditu Aderaw was third in 68:17. The women’s race had a very good depth with eight runners finishing inside 69:00. Hicham Amghar of Marocco, who was runner-up a year ago, won the men’s race with a personal best of 59:47. Dinkalem Ayele was second in 59:55 while fellow-Ethiopian Gemechu Bute took third with 60:03. 

A record number of 14,200 runners entered the 19th edition of the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race. This includes athletes who competed in a 10k race staged parallel.

Sheila Chelangat, who was the tenth fastest woman on the start list with a personal best of 69:38, took the lead relatively early in the race. The 26 year-old Kenyan ran behind a pacemaker when she moved clear between 7 and 10 k. Despite the poor weather conditions she was able to keep the pace high and was so strong that she was never challenged. “I am really happy with my performance and the victory. However the weather was poor and the roads were slippery,“ said Sheila Chelangat, who achieved her biggest career victory so far in Istanbul. “I am not yet planning a marathon debut,“ said the Kenyan, who only ran her half marathon debut last month in Lille, where she was second. 

Competing for second place Miriam Chebet and Zewditu Aderaw were battling between 10 and 13k. Then Kenya’s debutant Chebet was able to move away from the Ethiopian. Running her debut half marathon in Istanbul the former European 5,000 m Meraf Bahta finished in 16th position with 72:51. The Swede was the best European in the race, but missed the qualifying standard for the continental championships in Rome in June by over a minute.

In the men’s race a bigger leading group passed the 10k mark in 28:39. In-form Dinkalem Ayele was among the leaders, along with Hicham Amghar and Gemechu Bute. Ayele was the winner of the Lisbon Half Marathon this spring, but in the final stages the Ethiopian could not get passed Amghar. The runner from Marocco was in the lead after 17k with Ayele and Bute close behind. Finishing runner-up and beaten by just six seconds a year ago this time Amghar made sure he is the number one. With 59:47 he was eight seconds ahead and improved his PB from 2023 by six seconds. 

“Despite the weather I was able to run a personal best, so I am very happy. It was better to have rain instead of wind,“ said the 29 year-old winner, who celebrated one of his best career performances. “I may well return to Istanbul in November for my marathon debut. I really like the way the organisers take care of the elite runners here,“ said Hicham Amghar.

While Ethiopia’s pre-race favorite Solomon Berihu did not finish, Canada’s Cameron Levins was the fastest non-African runner in eighth place. He clocked a fine 60:38, missing his national record by just 20 seconds. Further down the results list there was a national record for the Virgin Islands: Eduardo Garcia ran 63:53 for 29th place. 

The reigning European half marathon champion Tadesse Abraham of Switzerland finished in 24th position with 63:18. “It was a good race, but mentally I am not well,“ said Tadesse Abraham, who still has to come to terms with with loss of his fellow-Swiss marathon runner Adrian Lehmann, who died after a heart attack just eight days ago. “I came to Istanbul to run and get this a bit out of my head. Taking this into account I am satisfied with my performance today.“

RESULTS, MEN:

1. Hicham Amghar         MAR 59:47

2. Dinkalem Ayele             ETH 59:55

3. Gemechu Bute             ETH   60:03

4. Antony Kimtai               KEN     60:16

5. Benard Bitwott               KEN     60:18

6. Solomon Kipchoge         KEN     60:19

7. Mathew Samperu         KEN      60:27

8. Cameron Levins           CAN     60:38

9. James Kipkoech     KEN       60:43

10. Edward Pingua     KEN     61:08

WOMEN:

1. Sheila Chelangat           KEN 66:47

2. Miriam Chebet               KEN 67:14

3. Zewditu Aderaw           ETH 68:17

4. Betelihem Afenigus       ETH 68:33

5. Ftaw Zeray                     ETH 68:39

6. Betty Kibet   KEN 68:39

7. Gladys Chepkurui           KEN 68:50

8. Aberash Shilima           ETH 68:52

9. Ruth Jebet                   BRN 69:10

10. Meseret Dinke             ETH 69:53

(04/28/2024) Views: 889 ⚡AMP

Berihu, Ayele and Zeray ready for fast racing in Istanbul on Sunday April 28

Solomon Berihu of Ethiopia and Kenya’s Gladys Chepkurui head a very strong field of elite runners at the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon on Sunday. They feature personal bests of 59:17 and 65:46 respectively. The men’s field is really impressive since eight runners have already broken the one hour mark and another nine feature personal bests of sub 61:00.

There are seven women with sub 68:00 PBs and an additional three have run under 70:00. A couple of European runners will try to achieve the qualifying times for the European Championships in Rome in June. Among them are Turkey’s record holder Ali Kaya, who will start a comeback, and Sweden’s debutant Meraf Bahta. The required times stand at 61:40 and 70:30 for men and women respectively.

Organisers of the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon, which is a Gold Label Road Race of World Athletics, have registered a record number of 14,200 runners. This includes a 10k race staged parallel on Sunday. Turkey’s number one road race is one of the world’s major half marathons and has a world record course. Three years ago Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich broke the global mark in Istanbul with 64:02. While the world record has been improved since the course record still stands and will likely remain in place on Sunday. 

However there could still be another very fast time from the women’s winner on Sunday. With a personal best of 66:04 Ftaw Zeray is the second fastest on the start list behind Gladys Chepkurui. It was three weeks ago when the 26 year-old ran her first race of the year and finished runner-up in the Berlin Half Marathon. In very difficult conditions with temperatures well over 20 Celsius she still ran 67:22. “I have well recovered from the race in Berlin. I feel I can run a personal best on Sunday,“ said Ftaw Zeray, who was sixth in the World Half Marathon Championships last year. 

With regard to the weather forecast high temperatures will not be a problem for Ftaw Zeray on Sunday in Istanbul. But with six other women who have already run sub 68:00 the challenge is likely to be tougher than in the German capital. While Gladys Chepkurui missed her flight to Istanbul and will now arrive half a day later, she will hardly be delayed when it comes to racing fast. The Kenyan clocked her 65:46 PB in Barcelona a year ago and has run sub 70:00 eleven times.

Ethiopians Betelihem Afenigus and Aberash Shilima are the next fastest on the entry list with PBs of 66:46 and 67:26 respectively. However a debutant could also be in the mix for a place on the podium: Just 21 years old Miriam Chebet showed great form and consistency this year with three sub 31:00 times at 10k. When she won the race in Ibiza, Spain, in January she clocked a fine PB of 30:40.

Another promising debutant is Sweden’s Meraf Bahta. The European 5,000 m champion from 2014 is a late entry to the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon. The 34 year-old is the Swedish 10k record holder with a 31:22 PB from 2022. The former Eritrean could qualify for the European Championships if she runs 70:30 or faster in her debut. Due to an injury Italy’s Giovanna Epis had to withdraw from the race in Istanbul.

Solomon Berihu is the fastest runner on the start list with his PB of 59:17. He ran this time back in 2019 in New Delhi and has not raced for almost a year. “I had an injury that kept me away from training. Now, I am feeling better and I am back in shape,“ explained the 24 year-old Ethiopian, who hopes to come back with a bang on Sunday. “My first goal is to win the race, but I am also hoping to run 59:30 or even faster.“ The Istanbul course record stands at 59:15.

Another Ethiopian is among the hot favourites: Dinkalem Ayele has shown great form this year when he improved to 59:30 in Barcelona and then won the Lisbon Half Marathon in very warm conditions with 60:36. “I am in good form and confident that I can go close to 59 minutes if weather conditions are suitable,“ said 23 year-old Dinkalem Ayele.

Solomon Kipchoge will probably be among the athletes who will challenge the two Ethiopians. The Kenyan, who improved his half marathon PB by almost two and a half minutes last year when he ran 59:37 in Lille, chose to come to Istanbul because of the fast course. “I will not start the race with a certain time or placing in mind. It depends on how my body will feel during the race. But I will try to improve my PB,“ said Solomon Kipchoge, who has the same surname as the double Olympic Champion Eliud Kipchoge. “I have no connection to Eliud, I am often asked about this outside Kenya. I am happy to be asked, because Eliud is a legend.“

Having not race since 2020 Ali Kaya surprised the organisers when he asked them to include him on the start list for a comeback race. The 30 year-old former Kenyan, who competed for Turkey since 2013, is a former winner of the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon. When he took the race in 2016 he established a national record of 60:16 that still stands today. The 61:40 qualifying time for the European Championships could be a goal for Ali Kaya. Spaniard Juan Antonio Perez, who has a PB of 60:58, will probably also target this time.

Elite runners and personal bests

MEN

Solomon Berihu ETH 59:17

Edmond Kipngetich KEN 59:25

Dinkalem Ayele ETH 59:30

Solomon Kipchoge KEN 59:37

Benard Biwott KEN 59:44

Antony Kimtai KEN 59:45

Tadesse Abraham SUI 59:53

Hicham Amghar MAR 59:53

Hillary Kipchumba KEN 60:01

Abraham Kipyatich KEN 60:03

Gemechu Bute ETH 60:12

Ali Kaya TUR 60:16

Cameron Levins CAN 60:18

Vincent Mutai KEN 60:20

Edward Pingua KEN 60:44

Benard Sang KEN 60:57

Juan Antonio Perez ESP 60:58

Albert Rop BRN 61:05

Mathew Samperu KEN 61:06

Tegegn Tamerat ETH 61:15

Ashenafi Moges ETH 61:22

WOMEN

Gladys Chepkurui KEN 65:46

Ftaw Zeray ETH 66:04

Betelihem Afenigus ETH 66:46

Aberash Shilima ETH 67:26

Anchinalu Dessie ETH 67:30

Zewditu Aderaw ETH 67:44

Betty Kibet KEN 67:44

Ruth Jebet BRN 68:22

Zinashwork Yenew ETH 69:16

Sheila Chelangat KEN 69:38

Meseret Dinke ETH 70:39

Amina Bettiche ALG 71:38

Miriam Chebet KEN Debut

Meraf Bahta SWE Debut

(04/26/2024) Views: 907 ⚡AMP