Newsletters
Major roads and crossings connecting Istanbul's European and Asian sides were closed to traffic Sunday as the 48th Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Marathon got underway, prompting widespread restrictions and diversions across the city.
The July 15 Martyrs Bridge, Eurasia Tunnel, Galata Bridge and numerous connecting roads were temporarily closed to vehicles, with traffic police redirecting motorists to alternative routes, including the Fatih Sultan Mehmet and Yavuz Sultan Selim bridges.
The July 15 Martyrs Bridge was closed beginning at 3 a.m., followed by the marathon course and the Eurasia Tunnel at 6 a.m.
Authorities said the July 15 Martyrs Bridge was scheduled to reopen at 2:00 p.m., the Eurasia Tunnel at 3:00 p.m., and the full marathon route at 3:30 p.m.
The race, recognized as "the world's only intercontinental marathon" and classified as a "Gold Label" event by World Athletics, is being held for the 48th time, with 45,679 people registered across its various categories.
Traffic restrictions covered key roads leading to the July 15 Martyrs Bridge, including the southbound D-100 highway connections from Barbaros Boulevard, Zincirlikuyu and Sait Ciftci, along with the entrance near the Melas Hotel in Gayrettepe.
Closures also affected the South Zincirlikuyu exit, North Uzuncayir ramp, North Unalan-Atasehir-Sabiha Gokcen exits and several access points around Altunizade, including the northbound D-100 connections from Kisikli and Mahir Iz streets.
The Eurasia Tunnel and Galata Bridge were closed in both directions, while traffic was suspended along Ragip Gumuspala, Resadiye, Kennedy and Rauf Orbay streets.
Other affected roads included Ankara, Alemdar, Divanyolu, Ahirkapi, Genc Osman, Gazi Mustafa Kemalpasa, Namik Kemal and Aksakal streets, as well as the Havuzlu Junction Underpass.
Further restrictions were imposed around Besiktas, Dolmabahce, Kabatas, Sali Pazari, Findikli, Tophane, Kemeralti, Persembe Pazari and Bogazkesen, including access points near TAT Towers, metrobus stops, Balmumcu Tunnel, Balmumcu Junction, Central Command, Yildiz and Serencebey.
Authorities also closed sections of Ciragan, Tersane, Meclis-i Mebusan, Necatibey and Dolmabahce Gazhane streets, along with parts of Barbaros Boulevard between Besiktas Square and the Yildiz traffic lights.
Restrictions extended to Karakoy Square, the port exit, the approach from Revani Street, Mebusan Yokusu, the route toward Defterdar Yokusu, the Ortakoy turnoffs and several connections around Sishane Square and Bankalar Street.
Additional closures covered Kadirgalar, Ressam Hamdibey, Bostanci Veli, Abbasaga, Inebolu, Akyol, Hasfirin, Cigdem and Sabanci High School streets, the Mete Junction-Bedri Karafakihoglu area and Besiktas Ferry Terminal Street.
Access was also restricted along sections of Inonu Street near the Ataturk Cultural Center and MKE, at the entrances to Persembe Pazari from Refik Saydam Street and Ataturk Bridge, and at the entrance to Muvakkit Street from Dereboyu Street.
Traffic was further suspended along routes from Ortakoy Square and Palangalar toward Besiktas, as well as downhill from the Central Command traffic lights on Barbaros Boulevard.
On Istanbul's Asian side, the restrictions affected the southbound D-100 entrance from Kisikli Street at Altunizade Bridge and the connection from Kusbakisi Street near Petrol-Is.
Authorities also closed the section of Sile Road between Libadiye Junction and Kisikli Street, northbound D-100 entrances toward the Eurasia Tunnel and the intersection of Mahir Iz, Fahrettin Kerim Gokay and Akagunduz streets.
Traffic toward Beylerbeyi was blocked at several intersections, including Gumusyolu-Baba Nakkas, Yaliboyu-Beylerbeyi Camlica, Abdullahaga-Kuzguncuk and Abdullahaga-Eski Cinar.
Vehicle access toward the July 15 Martyrs Bridge was also suspended at the Kisikli-Baglaryolu-Nurbaba intersection and from Beylerbeyi Abdullahaga Street toward the northbound D-100.
Traffic police urged motorists to use alternative routes until the restrictions were lifted.
Drivers traveling between Istanbul's two sides were directed toward the Fatih Sultan Mehmet and Yavuz Sultan Selim bridges.
Other designated alternatives included available sections of the D-100 highway, Buyukdere, Balmumcu, Levent, Sariyer, Camlica Connection Road, Unalan, Atasehir, Besiktas and Nuhkuyusu Street.
Depending on their locations, drivers were also redirected toward Taksim, Macka, Tarlabasi Boulevard, Unkapani Bridge, Ataturk Bridge, Ataturk Boulevard, Yeni Havaalani Street, Ekrem Kurt Boulevard and 10. Yil Street.
Additional alternatives included Zincirlikuyu, Palangalar Street, Akyol Street, Defterdar Yokusu, Divan Junction, Asker Ocagi Street, Okcu Musa Street and Kurucesme.
The marathon began at 9 a.m. near the metrobus stop on the Asian side of the July 15 Martyrs Bridge.
The starting signal was given by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Acting Mayor Nuri Aslan, Turkish Athletics Federation President Ahmet Karadag, Spor Istanbul General Manager Bilge Donuk and other officials.
Organized by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality's (IBB) Department of Youth and Sports Services and IBB Spor Istanbul, the event attracted 45,679 registered participants across five categories: the 42-kilometer marathon, 15.5-kilometer race, corporate run, public run and wheelchair races.
A total of 43 elite athletes, including 27 men and 16 women, are competing.
Among the prominent male runners are 2024 champion Dejene Debela, Amdework Walelegn and Sufaro Woliyi.
The women's field includes defending champion Bizuager Aderra, Judith Korir and Veronicah Maina.
The main marathon starts on Istanbul's Asian side before crossing the July 15 Martyrs Bridge into Europe.
Runners then proceed through Besiktas and Galata Bridge toward the historic peninsula, continuing along Kennedy Street to Bakirkoy.
After turning back, competitors follow the coastal road toward Gulhane Park before finishing at Sultanahmet Square.
The 15.5-kilometer race follows the same course as the main marathon until Yenikapi.
Participants in the corporate and public runs cross the July 15 Martyrs Bridge and continue along Barbaros Boulevard toward Dolmabahce, where their races finish.
1 min read
The winners of the men's and women's 42-kilometer races will each receive $50,000.
An additional $5,000 will be awarded to the winner who breaks the course record.
Prize money for athletes finishing in the top eight in the men's and women's marathon categories totals $190,000.
A further ₺500,000 will be distributed among the top five athletes in the domestic runners category.
Across all categories, total prize money for top finishers will reach ₺12 million ($240,000).
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
