The international half marathon race has been held in Yerevan for the first time within the frames of «Erebuni-Yerevan 2797» celebration. The half marathon was organized by Yerevan Municipality jointly with RepatArmenia» foundation, «Orange fitness» premium club, «Austrian Airlines», as well as the RA Central bank which came up with the motto «Healthy lifestyle, healthy finances», with the assistance of Publicis Armenia, «Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company Armenia», «Berry» and a number of other companies and the race clubs of Armenia. The general sponsor of the half marathon was 'Orange fitness» premium club.

The route of the participants started at Shahumyan square, then continued to Republic square-Nalbandyan street-Vardanants street-Alek Manukyan street-Isahakyan street-Saryan street-Hrazdan gorge-Haghtanak bridge-Republic square and back to Shahumyan square. The aim of the half marathon was to create the annual international race marathon in Armenia, development of long distance race, healthy lifestyle spreading and direction of sport tourism flows to Armenia. The aim of the half race is also to make Armenia more attractive for amateur runners from Diaspora and other countries and to mae the ties between Armenia and Diaspora tighter. The representatives of different age groups competed in the distances of 21km, 10 km, 2.1 km and 1 km (children). The track was certified by the AIMS (Association of International for Marathons and Distances). According to the prize fund of the half marathon, the first three winners of 21 km race have been awarded with AMD 1.000.000, 750.000 and 500.000 respectively. The winners of 10 km race were got AMD 200.000, 150.000 and 100.000. The winners of the rest groups got precious presents from the sponsors. All the participants irrespectively of the results got T-shirts and medals. The medals were made at Metal Badge factory, South Africa, which is famous for producing medals for the most famous marathons of the world. Besides individual participants three team prizes were provided: for the biggest participant team, for the fastest team and for the team with best supporters. Among the participants were Yerevan Municipality, the Central Bank, UNICEF, «Ernst and Young» company, «Ameria bank», UW C Armenia, «AYB» school, American University of Armenia (AUA), Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University, the RA Ministry of Defence, «Orange fitness» and «Incourt» tennis clubs, «Doctors without borders» French mission (Medicins Sans Frontieres-Armenia), Diagnostic and Treatment Center of IIBS, Herbalife International Inc, I love Running school of correct running, Runners Club of Armenia, as well as more than 1000 amateur and professional runners and cultural figures from Armenia and abroad.

Yerevan half marathon had a charity component. 30 disabled runners from «Satar» NGO who competed in 2-km race took part in the marathon. Besides, representatives of 3 benevolent organizations («Armenian mothers», «One Armenia», «Teacher in Armenia») ran with their teams making people aware of their projects. All the runners participating with charity goals took part free of charge. A program of events was worked out for the participants which started the day before the marathon and continued on October 4. Both at the start of the marathon and along the whole track the runners were accompanied by music and the teams of supporters. The participants thanked all the organizers and sponsors, and the guest runners shared thair impression and admiration of Yerevan and its beauty and of the warm treatment of the residents.

Information and Public Relations Department
of the City Hall of Yerevan