The Head of the EU Delegation to Türkiye, Ambassador Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, Dutch Ambassador Joep Wijnands, French Ambassador Isabelle Dumont, representatives and staff of many other diplomatic missions took part in Runkara, the first ever Half Marathon organised by Dazspor.

In total, 3,500 amateur and professional athletes from 25 countries joined Runkara on 8 October. Dazspor Founder and Half Marathon Organiser Victoria Blyth says: “In Ankara, the heart of Türkiye, an international event that will attract the attention of the whole world and contribute to the city's economy has taken place with the support and participation of the EU. I would like to thank the people of Ankara, ambassadors and diplomatic missions’ staff for their participation.”

A group of Team Europe athletes at the start point of Runkara

Ambassador Meyer-Landrut, who ran the 21-kilometre Half Marathon, says: "I was pleased to be part of such a beautiful organisation. Sport is essential for a healthy and happy life, especially in urban settings. It also encourages team spirit. The EU supports sports and sport investments."

In the 9.2-kilometre Challenge Run, the Delegation’s Training Programme Manager Burçe Dündar came first, and the Finance Coordinator Jana d'Argent Brotankova second, in their respective age groups.

Burçe Dündar and Jana d'Argent Brotankova from the EU Delegation to Türkiye

Burçe Dündar expresses pleasure with her performance: “I have more than ten years of running and racing experience. I was very proud and happy to achieve this result in this beautiful event supported by the institution I work for, and on top of that, in Ankara's first international half marathon. Sport, especially running, is personally good for the body and mind. But beyond that, such events also have a cultural healing aspect for society. I also believe it is important that the races have an awareness-raising effect through fundraising for non-governmental organisations.”

Jana d'Argent Brotankova reflects: “As this was my first participation in an event of this kind, I didn’t know what to expect, especially as I’m not a fan of large gatherings. I was pleasantly surprised by the energy and positive charge of the event and the good vibes it gave me afterwards.”

Ambassador Meyer-Landrut ran the 21-kilometre Half Marathon

Within the scope of Runkara, a Half Marathon, Fun Run, Family Run and Challenge Run were organised around Anıtkabir in the Çankaya district. The winner of the 21-kilometre Half Marathon was the Ethiopian athlete Lemma Sisay (men) and the Ethiopian athlete Gelaw Zewditu (women).

Many in the diplomatic community also noted the news in the days following Runkara that the UEFA Executive Committee has awarded the hosting rights for the 2032 European Football Championship to a joint partnership of Italy and Türkiye. And already next year, in July and August, Paris will host the XXXIII Olympic Summer Games.

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