The International 14th Adana Liberation Half Marathon (21K), 10K, Children's Run and Community Run, organized by Adana Metropolitan Municipality, Provincial Directorate of Youth Sports and Turkish Athletics Federation, were held. After the 10K run, the 21K and Public Run started.
While 10 athletes competed in 1569K and 21 athletes competed in 1115K, around 2 thousand participated in the People's Race. With the Children's Run held on Saturday, January 6, a total of 5 thousand 34 competitors participated in the runs; In addition to national athletes; There were older athletes, families participating in the race with their children and even babies, and athletes running in the athletics teams of various institutions and organizations. The competitions were watched by national athletes and runners who have represented Turkey in international competitions for many years. French Activist Claude Cazes, who supports earthquake victims in Turkey, also participated in the run.
TARGET IS TO EMPLOY 2024 THOUSAND PEOPLE IN 450
Turkish Athletics Federation President Fatih Çintımar thanked Adana Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Zeydan Karalar and the Provincial Directorate of Youth Sports for organizing the first competition of the new year. Stating that they aim to have 2024 thousand people running in 450, Çintımar said that he believes that they will achieve this goal together and wished success to those who participated in the race.
WELCOME TO ADANA, THE CITY OF CULTURE, HISTORY, DELICIOUS TASTES AND WARM PEOPLE
President Zeydan Karalar, who spoke at the ceremony held at the beginning of the races, which was announced as the first race of 2024 in the world and in Turkey, said: "Welcome to Adana, the city of culture, history, delicious tastes, beautiful weather, and of course, the city of warm-blooded people. He started by saying, "The number of participants in our competition, which is the first race of the year and the 14th, is increasing exponentially every year."
ADANA, THE CITY OF SALVATION AND ESTABLISHMENT
Mayor Zeydan Karalar stated that Adana was the city that gave Mustafa Kemal Atatürk the feeling of starting the War of Independence and where the National Forces won the first victory. He explained that after the victory, the French wanted peace, thus it was the city that contributed to the recognition of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
Mayor Zeydan Karalar continued: “It is an honor for us to host you in such a beautiful city. We are very pleased that there was a record participation in this year's races. Hopefully this number will double next year. Sports is health. A healthy mind resides in a healthy body, and as the Founder of the Republic of Turkey, Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk pointed out; "There will be more intelligent, agile and moral athletes."
