INTERNATIONAL HALF MARATHON EXCITEMENT IN ESKİŞEHİR STARTS THIS WEEKEND

The 6th International Eskişehir Half Marathon and Sports Festival, considered one of Eskişehir's most important sports events in recent years, will be held this year at the Sazova Science, Culture, and Art Park from August 2-3, with ETi Lifalif as the main sponsor. The festival, which will contribute significantly to the development of sports culture and the city's tourism, will feature 2,000 domestic and international athletes from 17 different countries.

An introductory meeting was held for the 6th International Eskişehir Half Marathon and Sports Festival, which will be held from August 2-3, hosted by the Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality and sponsored by ETi Lifalif. The meeting was attended by Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ayşe Ünlüce, ETi Supply Chain and Quality Assurance President Engin Çölova, Novo Communication Promotion Digital Content Organization Founder Mirhan Binici, Deputy Secretary General Nergiz Abacı, Youth and Sports Services Department Head Tezcan Al, municipal bureaucrats, and many journalists.

The festival, which will be held at Sazova Science, Culture, and Art Park, one of Eskişehir's iconic event venues, will feature 21K and 10K races covering the city's iconic locations. A total of 2,025 runners from across Türkiye and 17 different countries registered during the registration process, which concluded on July 20th.

Speaking first at the launch event, Mirhan Binici, Founder of Novo Communications, Promotion, and Digital Content Organization, said, "We are excited about the 6th International ETİ Lifalif Eskişehir Half Marathon. 2,025 people will be sweating it out on the streets of Eskişehir in this sixth event, spreading the spirit of sport throughout our city. We believe this race in Eskişehir will continue to grow in the coming years. We hope this event, hosted by our Metropolitan Municipality, reaches a wider audience. We invite all Eskişehir residents to Sazova Park on August 2nd and 3rd. Let's all share these special days where sport, health, and solidarity come together." Engin Çölova, ETi's Head of Supply Chain and Quality Assurance, expressed their delight at being the main sponsor, saying, "Supporting a culture of good living is one of the core values we embrace at ETi. In this regard, we are delighted to once again contribute as the main sponsor to this meaningful half marathon held in Eskişehir with our ETi Lifalif brand. We believe that, in addition to good nutrition, an active lifestyle is an essential part of sustainable happiness. This event holds special meaning for us due to its inclusive nature and the unifying power of sports, bringing together all segments of society. We sincerely thank all stakeholders, especially Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ayşe Ünlüce, for their contributions to the event." Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ayşe Ünlüce expressed her great honor and happiness at organizing the 6th marathon, saying, "Continuing the half marathon by increasing the number of participants each year is truly a remarkable achievement. Looking at the registration numbers from our first year, and then looking at this year's applications, I see that Eskişehir has built up great confidence in this organization. As with every year, the first day will feel like a true sports festival." Mayor Ünlüce, who invited the people of Eskişehir to participate in a "Car-Free Sunday" event, said, "I'd like to thank the valued people of Eskişehir once again. We are grateful for the understanding and patience they've shown during the five previous events. I believe they will show the same sensitivity this year. Details of the traffic-free routes have been shared on our website. This route will also provide a nice walking area for the people of Eskişehir on that day. I'd like to share with you something I've been thinking about for a long time: the idea of a 'Car-Free Sunday.' It's an initiative that will encourage everyone living in Eskişehir to use public transportation, walk, or bike on Sundays. We want to leave our streets and roads to pedestrians and cyclists for a day. Perhaps we'll begin preparations this year and implement this idea in 2026. And from here, I extend an invitation to all the people of Eskişehir: let's experience a car-free life together on Sunday. This marathon, especially with its traffic-free areas, is a small beginning, a rehearsal for this idea." Mayor Ünlüce also thanked the institutions and organizations that supported the 6th International ETİ Lifalif Eskişehir Half Marathon, saying, "I sincerely thank all the institutions and organizations that supported us in this event. We are especially grateful to the Eskişehir Governor's Office, the Odunpazarı and Tepebaşı Municipalities, the Provincial Police Department, the Provincial Health Directorate, and all the NGOs that provided support. I would also like to extend a special thank you to the ETi family, a brand synonymous with Eskişehir. Their commitment to making Eskişehir a sports and marathon city, as they do every year, as their main sponsor, is invaluable to us. I congratulate them once again. I would like to conclude my speech with our slogan this year: 'There is happiness in sports, there is happiness in Eskişehir!'" President Ünlüce also announced that Eskişehirspor will participate in this year's marathon with its running team and said that Eskişehirspor will sell season tickets at the stand it will open in Sazova Park.

A SPORTS-FILLED FESTIVAL

The two-day festival will feature a variety of activities aimed at promoting a culture of sports and healthy living within the community. The Children's Run, with over 300 children aged 7-13, will take place on Saturday, August 2nd at 5:00 PM. Numerous fun activities for children will be held before and after the run. Participants will also be offered group exercises such as yoga, Zumba, and Pilates, as well as seminars on sports nutrition.

Also on Saturday, a special awareness walk will be held in collaboration with the Turkish Down Syndrome Association. Open to all Eskişehir residents, this walk will feature individuals with Down syndrome and their families walking together on the 1.5-kilometer track in Sazova Park.

A MARATHRON IN ESKİŞEHİR FOR GOODNESS

The Eti Lifalif 6th International Eskişehir Half Marathon and Sports Festival will also host a charity run. Athletes participating in the event will be able to launch their own fundraising campaigns to support the projects of civil society organizations under the umbrella of Adım Adım, our social responsibility partner. Those wishing to support can donate between July 21st and August 18th.

The festival, which is main sponsored by ETi Lifalif, includes co-sponsors TCL Electronics, Xiaomi, Nuh'un Ankara Makarnası, and Kalabak Su. Brands such as Eker, MACFit, and PT Academy also support the event. Participants will engage in various sports activities and fun games in these branded experience areas. Additionally, the Expo area, featuring world-renowned brands such as SPX, Yalın Sports, Asics, and Brooks, will be open to visitors.

EVENT CALENDAR

Those wishing to attend the festival can participate in activities at the Sazova Science, Culture, and Arts Park on Saturday, August 2nd, from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. On Sunday, August 3rd, the event will begin at 8:00 a.m. with the 10K and 21K runs, followed by the awards ceremony. Festival events will continue until 3:00 p.m.

For more information, please visit www.eskisehiryarimaratonu.com.