TROY HALF MARATHON

Çanakkale hosted a very important event. The Saucony Troy Half Marathon, featuring a course that intertwines the city's historical fabric and natural beauty, was held on Sunday, April 20th with the main sponsorship of SPX and the title sponsorship of Saucony, and with the contributions of numerous supporters, including Dardanel and Uysal Market, in 21K, 10K, 6K, and a Children's Run. The marathon, which created a festive atmosphere in Çanakkale, attracted over two thousand athletes and running enthusiasts from seven countries and 40 cities.

The Saucony Troy Half Marathon, organized by the Çanakkale Municipality for the first time this year under the sponsorship of SPX, took place on Sunday, April 20th with over two thousand athletes participating. The first marathon held in the city center was a vibrant spectacle.

Çanakkale hosted a very important event. The Saucony Troy Half Marathon, featuring a course that intertwines the city's historical fabric and natural beauty, was held on Sunday, April 20th with the main sponsorship of SPX and the title sponsorship of Saucony, and with the contributions of numerous supporters, including Dardanel and Uysal Market, in 21K, 10K, 6K, and a Children's Run. The marathon, which created a festive atmosphere in Çanakkale, attracted over two thousand athletes and running enthusiasts from seven countries and 40 cities.

Awards Presented to Winners

The marathon, which began in front of the Kordon Trojan Horse and continued through the city center, saw Mestan Turhan take first place in the 21K Men's category, Yunus Emre Akkuş second, and Bahattin Üney third. In the 21K Women's category, Pınar Demir first, Fatma Arık second, and Özge Çolak third. Mert Selek took first place in the 10K Men's category, Hakan Çoban second, and Emre Karatepe third. Berfin Kaya took first place, Meryem Kılınç Gündoğdu second, and Özlem Işık third in the 10K Women's category. Ahmet Tek took first place, Tahir Erdemir second, and Eren Özemre third in the 6K Men's category. Esra Taşdemir first place, Sibel Öztürk second, and Elena Göksu third in the 6K Women's category, completing the Saucony Troy Half Marathon, held for the first time in Çanakkale's city center.

Child participants in the marathon enjoyed a thrilling race on the 500-meter course on the Kordon. The children's race, held in three different age categories, saw a large turnout, and children who successfully completed their stages received medals and awards.

A medal and award ceremony was held for the winners of the marathon.

"We Want to Make the Saucony Troy Half Marathon a Traditional Event"

Mayor Muharrem Erkek, making a statement about the event, expressed his pride in hosting this meaningful event, where Troy's millennia-old history meets the unifying power of sports. Mayor Erkek said, "The Saucony Troy Half Marathon was met with great interest in its first year. The participant profile, the quality of the organization, and the spirit of the marathon have opened a new chapter in Çanakkale's sports culture. The gathering of athletes of all ages on a historic route is incredibly valuable for both our city and its sports culture. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the participants who joined us on this special day, those who contributed, and everyone whose support made the event possible. We hope that the Saucony Troy Half Marathon will become a strong tradition that brings together Çanakkale's sports, culture, and natural heritage. We want to continue to connect sports fans with history and nature in the years to come." President Erkek underlined that efforts will be made to transform the event into a full marathon in the coming years.

SPX CEO Barış Andırınlı said, “Supporting an active and healthy lifestyle, intertwined with nature, is a passion for us. In the first year of the Saucony Troy Half Marathon, we are proud to be part of an organization that combines this passion with such a special route bearing the traces of history. We see that such a high level of participation clearly demonstrates the strong interest in running and sports. Encountering such strong interest in a city where we are running for the first time is a sign that we are on the right track.”

A Festival-Like Marathon

In addition to the historic marathon on Sunday, April 20, 2025, the city center was also bustling with activity on Saturday, April 19, 2025. The event area set up in front of the Trojan Horse before the marathon featured numerous events, including DJ performances, the GiBoard Challenge, the SPX Pickleball Workshop, the HYROX Turkey Challenge, the Sweaty Betty Yoga Workshop, and the Shake Out - The City is Yours Run. Mayor Muharrem Erkek also toured the venues and met with participants.

The Saucony Troy Half Marathon, which featured both the race stages and a variety of exciting events, concluded with an awards ceremony following the races. The event, which blended sports, dance, music, and entertainment with Çanakkale's historical and natural beauty, was highly appreciated by participants and guests of all ages.