Ahmet Alkanoglu Wins First 42-Kilometer Baku Marathon

Jerusalem, 3 May, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- Baku (AZERTAC) – The winner of the “Baku Marathon 2026,” held at the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, has been determined.

AZERTAC reports that the first male athlete to cross the finish line in the marathon was Ahmet Alkanoglu from Turkey. Ukrainian runner Vitaliy Shafar came in second place, and Kyrgyzstan’s Yrskeldi Akerov came in third.

“As someone who has previously won the Baku Marathon, it’s great to be here again,” Alkanoglu said.

In the women’s competition, Elena Tolstykh from Russia took first place, Anna Yusupova from Azerbaijan took second place, and Shirin Akimbay from Kazakhstan took third place.

This year, the marathon was held for the first time on a 42-kilometer route, rather than a 21-kilometer distance. The race featured 25,000 participants.

Medals were presented to the winners by Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, founder and head of IDEA Public Union.