Thousands run for July 15 martyrs in Istanbul Marathon

People, numbering in the thousands, came together in Turkey's megacity on Sunday to take part in the Istanbul Marathon, the world's only run in which people can run from Asia to Europe.

The 38th Vodafone Istanbul Marathon's campaign for this year is: “We are running for the July 15 martyrs."

The deadly coup attempt that took place on the night of July 15 killed more than 240 people and injured nearly 2,200 others.

Sunday's marathon hosted 90 elite athletes, including 28 top Turkish runners, as well as thousands of people who simply wanted to challenge themselves by running 42 kilometers (26 miles).

The Istanbul road race has three categories: A marathon, as well as the 15-kilometer and 10-kilometer events.

A free 8-kilometer Heroes Run saw people casually race or just walk along the Bosporus. A race for wheelchair-bound competitors will also be held.

The marathon started on the Asian side of the July 15 Martyrs' Bridge, formerly known as the Bosporus Bridge and will end on the European side at Sultanahmet Square, the city's historical peninsula. The 15-kilometer and 10-kilometer races will finish in the nearby Eminönü district. The Heroes Run will end in front of the Ottoman-era Dolmabaçe Palace.

This year's elite athletes are mostly from Turkey, Belarus, Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Africa, Kenya, Russia and Ukraine.

In the men's category, Kenyan runners Peter Kiptoo Kiplagat and Vincent Kiprop Chepkok, Ethiopian runners Shura Kitata Tola, Tariku Jufar Robi and Birhanu Gedefa, Ukrainian runner Oleksandr Sitkovskyy and Djiboutian runner Mumin Gala were the names to watch.

In the women's category, Ethiopian athletes Fatuma Sado and Sechale Dalasa, Kenyan Agnes Barsosio and Lithuanian Diana Lobacevske were among the top runners.

Relatives of the July 15 martyrs were also among those crossing the bridge with a huge Turkish flag and met at the Zincirlikuyu junction.