According to the Cultural and Art Development Foundation, the historic city of Samarkand is set to host the Samarkand Marathon Series 2026 on November 7–8. The upcoming event aims to combine athletic competition with the region's rich cultural heritage, drawing participants from around the globe.

The event will kick off with the Samarkand Marathon Expo, followed by a variety of running categories including 2 km and 5 km races, 2 km Nordic walking, inclusive runs, and Kids Run events. Serious competitors will tackle the half-marathon distance of 21.1 km, the full marathon of 42.2 km, or a 10 km race.

The starting line will be set at the iconic Registan Square, guiding runners past the city's ancient architectural landmarks. Organizers have reportedly introduced an environmental initiative dubbed 'Cleaner Than Before', which supposedly focuses on reducing plastic use, promoting recycling, and organizing plogging sessions.

Alongside the races, the program features educational lectures, morning sightseeing runs, and evening concerts. The marathon maintains its traditional charity focus, with proceeds allegedly designated for building children's sports grounds in the host regions.

Mirkhan Sagitov, head of the marathon department, supposedly stated that foreign participation has surged, with over 1,500 runners from 63 countries registering. Organizers claim their ambition is to establish Samarkand as the leading marathon destination in Central Asia.

Source: www.gazeta.uz