ACCORDING to the organizers, more than 7,000 runners participated in the 2026 Yoma Yangon International Marathon, organized by the Yoma Group. After a five-year hiatus, it returned on the morning of 22 February at the National Indoor Stadium 1, Thuwunna, Yangon.
The event featured three categories with different routes starting from the stadium – 5 kilometres (Fun Run): round trip of Waizayanta, Thanthuma, and Upper Pazundaung roads; 10-kilometre (Challenge Run): Waizayanta, Thanthuma, Upper Pazundaung, Set Yone, Banyar Dala, Kyaikkasan, Pin Shwe Nyaung, and Lay Daunt Kan back to Waizayanta roads; 21 kilometre (Half Marathon): Waizayanta, Thanthuma, Upper Pazundaung, Lower Pazundaung, Maha Bandoola, Sandaku, Strand, Shwedagon Pagoda, U Wizara (U Htaung Bo), Kan Yeik Thar, Banyar Dala, Kyaik kasan, Pin Shwe Nyaung, and Lay Daunt Kan, returning via Waizayanta.
An award ceremony was held to honour the top 10 male and female finishers – the half-marathon: 1st to 3rd – K3,000,000, K2,000,000, K1,500,000 and 4th to 10th K500,000 each;10-kilometre Challenge: 1st to 3rd – K1,500,000, K1,000,000, K500,000 and 4th to 10th – K200,000 each.
All participants who finished within the designated time were awarded finisher medals. It is Myanmar’s largest running event, bringing together athletes, sponsors, volunteers, and the general public.
The event aims to encourage public awareness of physical health, attract interest from international athletes, and support charitable initiatives. The marathon was held eight times between 2013 and 2020, and the 2026 event marks its ninth edition. — MT/ZN
