Istanbul Marathon 2026

The 48th Istanbul Marathon takes place on Sunday, November 1, 2026. It is the only marathon in the world run across two continents: it starts at the 15 Temmuz Şehitler (15 July Martyrs) Bridge on the Asian side and finishes in Sultanahmet in Europe. The marathon starts at around 09:00. Alongside the full 42.195 km marathon there is a 15.5K race (same start, finishing at Yenikapı), a free public run that crosses the bridge and finishes in front of Beşiktaş's Tüpraş Stadium, and a corporate run. Entries for the timed races closed in mid-October; the free public run has its own online registration on event.spor.istanbul. Check the final race-day programme on the official site, maraton.istanbul.

Both the marathon and the 15.5K start at the 15 Temmuz Şehitler Bridge on the Asian side and cross the Bosphorus on foot — one of the very few days the bridge is open to people. The marathon then winds through the historic city to finish in Sultanahmet; the 15.5K finishes at Yenikapı on the European shore. Because the start (Asia) and finish (Europe) are on opposite continents, race-morning transport needs planning.

On race morning the 15 Temmuz Şehitler Bridge, the coastal roads, and large parts of the historic peninsula and city-centre route are closed to traffic for several hours, making it one of the biggest planned road-closure days of the Istanbul year. A pre-booked transfer with a driver who knows the closure map gets you to the start corral on time and collects you near the Sultanahmet finish afterwards.

The bridge and its approach roads close before the start, so plan to reach the Asian-side assembly area early; the organiser's race-day programme on maraton.istanbul lists the official arrangements. A private transfer to the nearest accessible drop-off — planned around the cordon — avoids the stress of public transport crowds in the early morning. After finishing in Sultanahmet (or at Yenikapı for the 15.5K), a pre-arranged pickup nearby spares you walking far on tired legs while roads are still closed.

Yes. We provide fixed-price airport transfers from IST and SAW from €39.99, early-morning race-day rides to the start area, and pickups near the Sultanahmet finish — all routed around the closures, with no event surcharge. Group transfers for running clubs and supporters are available in VIP vans and Sprinters from €84.99.