Welcome back to Republic of Wanderlust We’ve been to tropical beaches, mountain roads, and scenic fjords… so where next? This week, we’re taking you somewhere very nice! Straight to Kazakhstan for the Almaty Marathon, happening on September 28th, 2025.. Set against the majestic backdrop of the Zailisky Alatau mountains, this event offers participants a unique blend of urban landscapes and natural beauty. It's the largest running event in the region, attracting over 15,000 athletes from more than 60 countries.
And don’t worry: no one will make you run in a mankini.
Race Details
- Date: September 28, 2025
- Venue: Republic Square, Satpayev Street, Almaty
- Distances and Entry Fees:
- Marathon (42.2 km): 18,000 KZT (approximately €38)
- Half Marathon (21.1 km): 16,000 KZT (approximately €34)
- 10 km Race: 16,000 KZT (approximately €34)
- 10 km Nordic Walking: 14,000 KZT (approximately €30)
- Ekiden Team Relay (42.2 km): 240,000 KZT per team (approximately €505)
- Course Profile: The marathon route traverses Almaty's main streets, offering runners panoramic views of the city and the surrounding mountains. Participants can expect long climbs and steep descents, providing a challenging yet rewarding experience. See the full route here
- Altitude: About 700–900m above sea level. Enough to make you wonder why you’re out of breath, but not enough to blame it entirely on altitude and not that third plov dinner.
How to Enter
Registration is available online through the official Almaty Marathon website. The deadline is September 15, 2025, or until the participant cap of 16,000 (including 90 Ekiden teams) is reached. Early registration is recommended to secure your spot.
Why Run the Almaty Marathon?
- It’s the biggest race in Central Asia. This event draws over 17,000 participants from across the globe. Not bad for a city most people still associate with a fictional reporter and questionable driving etiquette.
- Beautiful scenery. Snow-capped mountains, wide tree-lined avenues, and plenty of open sky. Honestly, it makes you wonder why Borat left in the first place.
- An unusual but brilliant travel experience. Kazakhstan is safe, modern, and surprisingly affordable. Plus, it’s a travel brag that’ll earn you serious points, when was the last time someone in your running club told you they ran a marathon in Almaty?
- Incredibly warm hospitality. You might start the race for the medal, but you’ll finish with a dozen Instagram photos of new friends force-feeding you horse sausage and fermented mare’s milk.
Things to Do in Almaty
- Kok-Tobe Hill: Take the cable car up for panoramic views over the city and mountains. There’s also a giant Beatles monument up there… because Kazakhstan.
- The Green Bazaar: Shop for spices, dried fruits, and other goodies, just be ready to haggle and sample things you didn’t think could be pickled.
- Big Almaty Lake: A breathtaking glacial lake just 30 minutes from the city. It’s like a postcard, but with altitude headaches.
- Panfilov Park & Zenkov Cathedral: A stunning Russian Orthodox cathedral built entirely of wood, with not a single nail used. Like IKEA furniture, but it actually lasts.
Accommodation
- Budget: Grand Erbil Hotel — Clean, simple, and great for runners on a budget (around €30/night).
- Mid-Range: Hotel Kazakhstan — The city’s iconic Soviet-era hotel with amazing views and breakfast worth waking up for (around €70/night).
- Luxury: Ritz-Carlton Almaty — If you’ve always wanted to relax in a rooftop spa overlooking the mountains with champagne in hand (around €250/night).
Travel
Flights from Ireland
- No direct flights from Dublin to Almaty, but easy connections via Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) or Frankfurt (Lufthansa). Expect total travel time of around 10–12 hours.
- Prices hover around €500–€650 return if booked in advance.
Local Transport
- Taxis are cheap, but always use the Yandex Go app (Kazakhstan’s answer to Uber). Otherwise, you might end up paying tourist rates and being told "It’s traditional."
- Metro is super clean and costs less than €0.20 per ride.
The Almaty Marathon is quirky, affordable, scenic, and unforgettable, kind of like the country itself. Come for the race, stay for the dumplings and vodka, and leave with stories that will make your running mates jealous and confused in equal measure.
And if anyone asks why you’re off to Kazakhstan? Just smile and say: "It’s very nice! High five!"