Samarkand Marathon International Race Series accredited by SheRACES
14 May 2025, Tashkent - The Foundation for the Development of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan announces that the Samarkand Marathon International Race Series has been accredited by SheRACES, an international charity. SheRACES aims to create equality and inclusion for women during sporting events.
The SheRACES initiative aims to increase the number of female participants in running events, especially in what are considered challenging distances, where their participation rates remain low to this day. The organisation offers concrete recommendations to create a more inclusive environment:
- Diversity in communication: using images of women of different ages, shapes and races in advertising and promotional materials to appeal to other women.
- Communication style: avoiding terms such as “most difficult” or “dangerous”, which can be a barrier to a woman's decision to participate in races. Instead, provide information about average speed, total elevation gain and minimum training requirements.
- Flexible time limits: offering more forgiving check times and early start options for female participants, which encourages more female runners to register.
- Detailed logistical information: providing access to information on logistics, route, accommodation, toilets, equipment recommendations, etc. and organising more detailed information on the course.
- Fair postponement policy: allowing women to postpone participation for up to two years in the event of pregnancy, without penalty, supporting their return to competition after childbirth.
These measures aim to create a more welcoming and supportive environment for women taking part in sporting events.
Since its inception in 2019, the organisers of the Samarkand Marathon race series have focused on creating a comfortable and inclusive environment for female participants. Visual and textual communication utilises images of women, personal examples and stories regardless of nationality, training, running experience. Special opportunities are created at events and the preparation of absolutes takes into account the capabilities of women. In 2025, all events in the race series will add separate bio-toilets at the start site and on the courses, where feminine personal hygiene products will be available and a parent-child room will be available.
Festival organiser:
Foundation for the Development of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan
"It is extremely important for us to create an environment in which every woman, regardless of age, profession or her stage in life, feels confident, comfortable and safe. The lifestyle of a modern woman includes activity, health and sport, and this should be reflected in the sporting events we organise. That is why the accreditation of the SheRACES initiative is a significant step for us. Uzbekistan is moving towards a more inclusive and informed future. We believe that the development of sport, especially among women and youth will contribute to the development of a healthy modern society," - Gayane Umerova, Chairperson of the Foundation for the Development of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan.
"Our main goal is to make the Samarkand Marathon international race series the most inclusive and open sporting event possible. We want every participant regardless of gender, age or fitness level to be able to take part in our races. SheRACES accreditation is an important step in this journey. It confirms that we are moving in the right direction, creating an environment where sport provides opportunities for everyone, rather than creating barriers," - Mirkhan Sagitov, Samarkand Marathon Series Curator.
About SheRACES
SheRACES is an international initiative founded by British runner Sophie Power to promote equality and inclusivity in long-distance running. The organisation aims to remove barriers faced by women in sport and create fairer conditions for participation. SheRACES works with race organisers to provide guidance on how to improve conditions for runners, including flexible time limits, inclusive marketing and support for women during pregnancy and maternity. SheRACES' mission is to inspire women to participate in running by providing equal opportunities and a safe environment for all.
General partners of “Samarkand Marathon 2025”:
Xalq Banki is the first bank established in Uzbekistan, with a history of over 150 years. Today, Xalq Banki is one of the leading financial institutions in the country, offering a wide range of services to both individuals and businesses. More than one third of the country's population uses its services, and the bank continues to actively develop new directions.
xazna is a convenient and secure mobile application for managing finances and accessing government services. It makes it easy to transfer money, pay bills and use online services. Its simple interface and high level of security make xazna an indispensable assistant in everyday life.
Ministry of Sport of the Republic of Uzbekistan
About Samarkand Marathon Series:
“Samarkand Marathon” Series is an international charity series that started in 2019 and has grown into an international level project. Today, it includes Sky Camp Bo'stonliq, ZAAMIN Ultra, Bukhara Night Race and Samarkand Marathon. The series aims to promote inclusion in cultural institutions. events.samarkandmarathon.uz
About the Foundation for the Development of Culture and Art of Uzbekistan (ACDF)
The Foundation is dedicated to preserving and promoting Uzbekistan's cultural heritage, supporting the creative economy and creating opportunities for artists. ACDF organises major cultural events, including the World Conference on Creative Economy (WCCE) and international exhibition projects.
acdf.uz.
Participant registration: skycamp.uz
“Samarkand Marathon Series” Events:
26-27 April Sky Camp Bo'stonliq
14-15 June - ZAAMIN ULTRA
13 September - Bukhara Night Race
8-9 November - Samarkand Marathon