2026

Türkiye's first and only night marathon, the Istanbul Night Marathon, was held on the night of July 4, 2026, in Istanbul's Sarıyer district. The race, which took place on a course covering the Çayırbaşı and Tarabya-Sarıyer route, was organized with the permission of the Istanbul Governorship and the approval of the Turkish Athletics Federation. Our event is conducted by OA (Orienteering Academy), hosted by the Sarıyer Municipality, and supported by Nişantaşı University.

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The event is one of many national and international activities held under the OA brand, which has been active since March 21, 2015. International interest in the race is remarkably high, drawing 330 participants from 32 different countries. Competitors from nations across various continents—such as South Korea, Brazil, the USA, Colombia, South Africa, Namibia, Uzbekistan, Japan, Morocco, Thailand, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Australia—are taking part in the event.

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Istanbul’s Heart Beat in Sarıyer Tonight: The "Night Marathon" Has Begun!

Istanbul hosted an exciting night. The Night Marathon, held on the night of Saturday, July 4, 2026, amidst the unique atmosphere of Sarıyer, brought together hundreds of runners and sports enthusiasts under the cover of darkness. The experience of running along the Bosphorus beneath the moon and stars attracted significant interest from the general public, as well as from national and international participants. Focusing on both individual challenge and team spirit, the event offered participants an unforgettable race experience.

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Tough Distances, Strong Teams

Illuminating the darkness of the night with the energy of sport, competitors vied in various categories where strategy and endurance took center stage. The event featured 42K and 21K team relay races that pushed the limits of endurance, alongside a 10K individual run that brought together enthusiasts of speed and excitement. These relay races, which elevate team spirit to the highest level, stand out as one of the few events of their kind.

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"We Are Bringing a New Sports Culture to Istanbul"

Speaking on behalf of the organizing committee, Abdullah Özdemir expressed his excitement about the event with these words: "We wanted to combine Istanbul’s summer nights with sports, music, and high energy. The Night Marathon is not merely a race; it is a festival where we celebrate team spirit, friendship, and pushing boundaries. Our primary goal is to ensure the continuity of this event, which showcases our country to the world and attracts great interest from various nations. We aim for every step taken at midnight amidst Sarıyer’s enchanting natural scenery to become an unforgettable memory for our participants. We invite all sports enthusiasts to share in this excitement. Through this project, we aim to promote Sarıyer and welcome thousands of guests to the event in the years to come. May this be beneficial for Sarıyer and our people!"

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Next Race Schedule and Details

• Date: Saturday, July 3, 2027

• Location: Sarıyer, Istanbul

• Start Time: 23:00

• Categories: 42K Individual, 42K Team Race, 21K Individual, 21K Team Race, 10K Individual, 2K Public Run, 1K Kids' Run