RACE DAY 21.6.26 

Maximum Participants: 5,000 athletes

Start System: Single start – start gate placement based on performance level / expected finish time

Number of Start Gates: 4 main start gates (A, B, C, D)

Start Gate Capacity: Approximately 1,250 athletes per gate

Start Time: 23:59 (Sunday night, leading into Monday)

Start Format: Single mass start for all athletes

23:00 – Full road closure of the race course to vehicle traffic

23:00 – Opening of the event area

23:30 – Deadline for bag drop

23:59 – 21K start

01:00 – Reopening of the bridge to traffic

01:10 – Estimated finish time of the 21K winner

02:00 – 21K award ceremony

03:00 – Official end of the 21K race (cut-off time)

03:30 – Full reopening of the race course to traffic

The race will be organized with start gates based on runners’ official previous race results.

 

Registration and Time Declaration

During registration, runners must provide:

An official finishing time from a Half Marathon (21K) or Marathon (42K).

If the runner has not completed a Half Marathon or Marathon before, an official 10K race time will be accepted.

 

All declared times will be checked by the organization. Start placement will be based on these verified results.

 

Gate Placement

Gates are arranged from the fastest runners to the slower runners.

Gate A (Front Group)

Runners with the best marathon and half marathon timesElite and fast amateur runners

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Gate B

Runners with medium-level marathon and half marathon times

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Gate C

Slower half marathon runners

Strong 10K runners

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Gate D (Back Group)

Runners who have completed 10K with slower times

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All runners will be placed from Gate A to Gate D according to their declared finishing times.

Each gate will include approximately 1,250 runners.

23:00 – Opening of the Event Area

Athletes will enter the event area according to their individual arrival times.

 

All athletes will be able to:

Use the changing rooms

Leave their personal belongings at the bag drop trucks

 

According to the start gate system, athletes will be directed to their assigned gates close to the start time.

23:30 – Opening of the Start Gates

Gates A, B, C, and D will open at the same time.
Athletes will take their positions in their assigned gates.

23:55 – Final Announcements and Security Checks

23:59 – Single Mass Start

 

The race will start at the same time from all gates.
Timing will be recorded by chip system and based on net time.

Athletes who start from the wrong gate may have their results cancelled.

 

The purpose of the gate system is to:

Reduce congestion at the start

Provide a safer and smoother race start

Ensure fair racing conditions based on performance level

 

Race Time and Finish

Total race time limit: 3 hours

Estimated first finish: 01:10
Estimated last finish: 03:00

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After finishing, athletes will:

Collect their belongings from the bag trucks

Leave the event area in a controlled and organized way

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Cut-off Points

0–5K → 23:59 – 00:45

5–10K → 00:45 – 01:30

10–15K → 01:30 – 02:15

15–21K → 02:15 – 03:00

 

Athletes who do not reach these points within the stated times may be asked to leave the course.

The award ceremony schedule will be announced later.

Access to the start area of the Yeşilay Eurasia Midnight Half Marathon is easy by public transportation. Runners can reach the start point by metro and metrobus lines without difficulty.

 

Since the race starts at midnight and the last finishers are expected around 03:00, night transportation after the race is very important. For this reason, the Marmaray line plays a key role in helping runners and staff travel safely across the city after the finish.

 

As part of the organization plan, additional Marmaray services are planned at 03:00 and 04:00. This will help participants connect to the main public transportation lines after the race.

 

In coordination with Istanbul Metro Inc., two additional services are planned on the Yenikapı–Hacıosman Metro Line, departing from Yenikapı at 03:00 and 04:00. This arrangement will help runners reach main residential areas safely after leaving the finish area.

 

Accommodation Recommendation

Since the race finishes early in the morning, runners who have the opportunity are advised to stay in hotels near the finish area to avoid transportation problems.

Hotels in Sultanahmet, Eminönü, and Sirkeci are recommended due to their close location.