Running in Karaganda: More than three thousand people took part in the half marathon "Path to the dream – 2022"

The chilly autumn weather did not become a hindrance for more than three thousand people who took part in the international sports competition "Path to the Dream – 2022".

Professionals and running enthusiasts from different regions of Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan came to the start in Karaganda.

Before the races, a warm-up was held on Independence Square. Sports united everyone on this day.

Children, adults, and people with special needs ran along the central streets of Karaganda.

The oldest participant of the race was over 80, the youngest was 8 years old.

The organizers tried to ensure that athletes of different training could test their strength and demonstrate their capabilities. There were four distances to choose from. The main one is the "Path to the Dream" (21 km). As a result, Mikhail Kulikov from Omsk (Russia) won among men, and Tatiana Neroznak, a resident of Kostanay, became the first among women.

– Strong runners, winners of marathons and half marathons gathered today. Among them is the winner of last year's half marathon from Almaty. All the distances, except the Path to the Dream, were free. We managed to collect more than a million tenge. The money will go to charity: 50% – for the treatment of children with cerebral palsy, 50% – for educational purposes, – says the organizer of the half marathon Ruslan Iskakov.

The Freedom Team running club came specially from Pavlodar.

– We decided to participate in the marathon in Karaganda, as we had never been to a mining town before. There are 20 of us today. The oldest of us is 43, the youngest is 23. All ages are submissive to running. This is the kind of sport that unites, gives the body the opportunity to wake up and work properly, – says the head of the club Bolat Ordabayev.

Whole families came to the starts.

– I am a regular participant of marathons. This year he competed at a distance of 14 kilometers. We came as a family. Aizhan and Aynagul daughters will run for the second time. I myself adhere to a healthy lifestyle and try to instill it in children," says Zhanaidar Zekenov.

76-year-old Serik Abishev took part in the half marathon for the fourth time.

– It's good that the organizers have come up with distances for everyone. I took part in the Dostyk race. Despite my age, I do not give up sports. Infected the whole family with running. Both children and grandchildren participate in marathons. I wish Kazakhstanis not to stay at home, but to play sports," Serik Abishev shared.

In the "Balapan" race among girls, 12-year-old Sabina Kryshkina became the winner.

– The first time I participated in school competitions, I liked it. I began to run, train more. I really wanted to participate in today's competition. I'm glad I won, even though it was hard," says Sabina Kryshkina.

At the end of the half marathon, all runners received commemorative medals, and the winners and prize-winners of all distances also received cash prizes.

In addition to sports competitions, an entertainment program was organized for spectators and fans.