The Ulaanbaatar Marathon () is an annual international marathon held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. This event was first established in 2014 by the Governor of the Capital City and usually happens on the third Saturday of May, coinciding with the city's car-free day. It is the largest mass-participation sporting event in Mongolia, attracting thousands of local and international runners of all skill levels.
History The Ulaanbaatar Marathon was first held on 7 June 2014 by the Governor of the Capital City together with the Mongolian Athletics Federation. The event was created to promote long-distance running, encourage active lifestyles among residents, and establish Ulaanbaatar as an international sports tourism destination. The initial event in 2014 drew over 16,000 participants. After its beginning, the marathon experienced consistent year-over-year growth.
Attendance increased to approximately 18,000 runners in 2015, 27,000 in 2016, and it surpassed 30,000 by 2017. To accommodate the growing number of amateur athletes, organizers aligned the race with Ulaanbaatar's official car-free day that froze motor vehicle traffic across the central city grid in order to ensure pedestrian safety.
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