Astana, 25 October. The online marathon "25 October — 25 kilometres", held for Republic Day, drew 2,294 participants from different regions of Kazakhstan, the Astana city administration said.
The marathon lasted 25 days and ended on the eve of the holiday. It was organised by the city administration and the city's physical education and sports department; its aim, they said, was to promote mass sport and a healthy lifestyle.
One participant said she had covered her 25 kilometres in three days and finished 64th out of 890 participants from across Kazakhstan: "I am very proud of myself and thank the city administration and the Astana Department of Physical Culture and Sport for such a wonderful initiative." She said the marathon had tested her willpower and discipline and encouraged her to keep exercising.
The participant covered in three days a target the organisers had set for 25, and still finished only 64th.
The city administration did not explain how many participants completed the full distance, or why the participant's account mentions 890 people against an overall total of 2,294.
What it means: The capital's holiday event reached beyond Astana: residents of different regions took part.
Who benefits: Participants get a reason to train regularly; the city administration gets a mass Republic Day event without the cost of staging a race.
Background: The marathon was part of the capital's holiday programme: more than 120 events were prepared in Astana for Republic Day.
