On September 27, the first meeting of the international Silk Road Uzbekistan race took place in Shahrisabz. The event attracted running enthusiasts, students, members of running clubs, bloggers, and professional athletes, who started near the walls of the Ak-Saray Palace, gaining an opportunity to view the homeland of Amir Timur from a new perspective.
The organizers of the Silk Road Shakhrisabz race were the Central Asian Academy of Running and Walking, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the National Agency for Social Protection under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, with support from the Sports Department of Kashkadarya Region.
Permanent partners of the Silk Road Uzbekistan series are JSC Uzbektelecom and the National Bank for Foreign Economic Activities of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Their support allows races to be held in various regions of the country, making running accessible to an increasing number of people.
The previous autumn stage of the series was held on September 13 in Khiva, where thousands of runners, including foreign guests, participated in the Arda Khiva tourist complex. Shukhrat Usmanov, Director of the Central Asian Academy of Running and Walking, noted that this year the Silk Road Uzbekistan series covered eight sporting events in the cities of the Great Silk Road. After seven held starts, Shahrisabz accepted the next relay.
Usmanov added that the Silk Road Andijan half marathon is planned for October 11. He emphasized that organizing a major race near Ak-Saray is a complex task, so the Academy paid close attention to preparing the track and ensuring comfortable conditions for all participants. He expressed hope that runners will remember not only their achievements but also the acquaintance with the history of Shahrisabz.
The Silk Road Shakhrisabz program included 5 km and 10 km races, as well as 5 km Nordic walking and Kids Run children's races of 250 and 500 meters. Additionally, student competitions Talaba Yugur over 3 km were held, in which about 3000 students participated, as well as the charitable inclusive race Inson Uchun with a symbolic distance of 1 km.
The total prize fund for the event amounted to 69 million soms. Monetary awards are provided for 24 prize places in the 5 km and 10 km distances for both men and women. Winners and prize-winners of the children's races and Nordic walking received gifts from sponsors and organizers.
Every participant in the Silk Road Uzbekistan series was issued a starter pack, which contained a chip-equipped bib, a backpack, a cap, a medal, and a branded sports shirt from the Spanish brand Joma.
Among the winners of the 5 km among men in the absolute category, Bakhtiyor Utkirov led with a time of 0:14:23, and among women, Shakhsonam Khuramova (0:16:56). In the 10 km distance, Eldor Botirov won for men (0:30:17), and Saidabonu Nusratilloeva for women (0:35:44).
In conclusion, it was announced that the second Silk Road Andijan half marathon will take place on October 11. Registration for this event is open on the Perfend.com platform.