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The Pyramids Half Marathon kicked off Saturday in Egypt’s Giza area west of Cairo, drawing 10,000 runners from 120 countries, including athletes from Türkiye, according to organizers.
The marathon featured the participation of 10,000 runners from 120 countries, with its seventh edition launched by Egypt’s minister of youth and sports.
Organized by the Sports Tourism General Administration, affiliated with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the event was attended by Minister Ashraf Sobhi, according to organizers.
Races were held over 5-kilometer (3.16-mile), 10-kilometer (6.2-mile), and 21-kilometer (13.08-mile) courses, and the event also saw the participation of athletes from Türkiye.
Among the runners was 68-year-old Turkish athlete Nihat Topuz, who has drawn attention as a successful competitor in the triathlon discipline combining running, swimming and cycling.
Topuz said he was the only athlete competing from Türkiye in his age category.
“This is my first time in Egypt. It has become an attraction that draws people from all over the world,” Topuz said.
According to organizers, marathons held at regular intervals throughout the year in the Giza Pyramids area attract both sports and culture enthusiasts.
The event is held as part of the Pyramids Half Marathon, which is organized annually with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and has been ranked first by National Geographic among the “World’s Most Fascinating Running Routes.”
The Giza Pyramids area is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is known for its three great pyramids belonging to the Fourth Dynasty pharaohs of the Pharaonic era, Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure.
These structures were built between 2550 and 2480 B.C. The Great Pyramid of Khufu, in particular, retained its status as the world’s tallest structure for nearly 3,800 years.
Egypt hosts between 100,000 and 150,000 tourists annually through sports events alone, while the Pyramids Half Marathon draws around 5,000 participants each year.
Officials say such events make a significant contribution to sports tourism and are effective in promoting the country.
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