site.btaMinister Glushkov Launches Wizz Air Sofia Marathon

Minister of Youth and Sports Georgi Glushkov attended the start of the classic distance of 42.195 km of the Wizz Air Sofia Marathon.

Minister Glushkov wished success to the runners. "It is a real pleasure for me to be at the start of the Sofia Marathon, which every year has more and more participants. I hope that everyone will achieve their goals and that our guests will get to know our beautiful capital," said Glushkov. 

This year, the largest sports competition in the country drew 7,000 runners in the 42 km, 21 km, 10 km and 5 km courses. Representatives of over 60 countries from all over the world were among those who started on the route, which passes by some of the most popular landmarks of the Bulgarian capital.

Kenya's Shedrack Kiptoo Kimaiyo won the men's 42.195 km race with a time of 2.15:04, while his compatriot Harriet Jepchumba Chebore was the ladies' No.1 with a time of 2.38:25. 

Kennedy Kipkemboi Rono (Ken) finished in 1.04.17 for the Half Marathon win, while Valentine Jebet (Ken) triumphed in the women's race with a time of 1.12:04. The 10K was won by Bulgaria's Ivo Balabanov and Devora Avramova in 30:12 and 34:23 respectively.

The Wizz Air Sofia Marathon has a total prize fund of over BGN 65,000, it carries the "Road Race Label" (Bronze Label) and is included in the calendars of World Athletics and the - Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) calendar as a full member for 2024. The event has been awarded five stars for race quality by the prestigious "Running For All" community.