Gabala:The 3rd International Khankendi Ultramarathon, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Azerbaijan Athletics Federation, and the Baku City Circuit, has commenced in Gabala.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the event began with participants visiting the monument of National Leader Heydar Aliyev in Gabala, where they laid flowers. This was followed by the performance of the national anthem and a minute of silence to honor the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country.

Elnur Mammadov, head of the Sports Department at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, emphasized the significance of holding such sporting events in the liberated territories. Maharram Sultanzade, Secretary General of the Azerbaijan Athletics Federation, expressed satisfaction with the growing interest in athletics and acknowledged the involvement of international athletes.

The ultramarathon features 97 athletes from five countries competing along a 192-kilometer route from Gabala to Khankendi. The event comprises four stages, with awards for stage winners and overall victors. The race aims to promote a healthy lifestyle and running while showcasing the regions of Azerbaijan through sport.

The Khankendi Ultramarathon was inaugurated in 2024 on the Khankendi-Baku route, spanning 380 kilometers with participation from 64 athletes across four countries. The 2025 edition took place along the Gabala-Khankendi route, involving 81 athletes from six countries. The current race, held in 2026, continues along the Gabala-Khankendi path.