The third International Khankendi Ultramarathon has officially started in Gabala, organized jointly by Azerbaijan's Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Azerbaijan Athletics Federation and Baku City Circuit.
As reported by İdman.Biz, the opening ceremony began with a visit to the monument of National Leader Heydar Aliyev in Gabala, where participants laid flowers in his memory.
The national anthem of Azerbaijan was then played, followed by a minute of silence to honor those who lost their lives defending the country.
Elnur Mammadov, Head of the Sports Department at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, highlighted the significance of the event.
"As you know, Gabala was the Sports Capital last year. Everyone has been eagerly awaiting this competition. It is encouraging to see sporting events being organized in the liberated territories. We express our deep gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for this," he said.
Maharram Sultanzade, Secretary General of the Azerbaijan Athletics Federation, emphasized the growing interest in athletics and welcomed the participation of international competitors.
He also noted the significant development of Azerbaijan's liberated territories with government support.
This year's ultramarathon features 97 athletes representing five countries.
The event aims to promote a healthy lifestyle and running while showcasing different regions of Azerbaijan through sport.
Participants will cover a total distance of 192 kilometers along the Gabala–Khankendi route, testing their physical fitness, stamina and endurance.
The competition consists of four stages:
- Gabala–Aghdash: 55 km
- Aghdash–Barda: 65 km
- Barda–Aghdam: 44 km
- Aghdam–Khankendi: 28 km
Winners of each individual stage will receive awards, while the overall champions will be presented with the main prizes.
The Khankendi Ultramarathon was first held in 2024 along the 380-kilometer Khankendi–Baku route, attracting 64 athletes from four countries.
In 2025, the competition switched to the Gabala–Khankendi route, with 81 runners representing six countries.
The 2026 edition marks the third staging of the international event and the second consecutive year that athletes will compete along the Gabala–Khankendi route.
