Age Group World Championships

OPPORTUNITY TO QUALIFY FOR THE WORLD MASTERS MARATHON CHAMPIONSHIPS

Türkiye İş Bankası 48th Istanbul Marathon serves as one of the qualifying races for the World Masters Marathon Championships (Abbott World Marathon Majors MTT Age Group World Championships). Runners aged 40 and above will have the chance to qualify for the 2028 World Masters Marathon Championships based on the results they achieve in Istanbul on November 1.

In last year’s Türkiye İş Bankası 47th Istanbul Marathon, master athletes who achieved the qualification standards set for their respective age groups earned the right to compete in the 2026 World Masters Marathon Championships, scheduled for 24 May as part of the Cape Town Marathon. Due to the shift of the Championships from the traditional autumn season to spring, all results recorded in the 47th Istanbul Marathon remain valid for the 2027 World Masters Marathon Championships as well.

For the Championships to be held on 7 March 2027 at the Tokyo Marathon, no qualification standards will be applied. Instead, athletes will be invited based on their position in the World Rankings, determined by performances achieved in qualifying races held between 1 October 2025 and 30 September 2026.

The World Rankings are published at https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/rankings/world-rankings. Athletes who qualify for the Championships but move into a new age group before race day will be ranked in the age group they belong to on the day of competition.

Results achieved at the Türkiye İş Bankası 48th Istanbul Marathon on 1 November 2026 will count toward qualification for the 2028 World Masters Marathon Championships. Qualification criteria for 2028 will be announced later this year.

To receive an official invitation letter, runners must register individually through the “Runner Portal” at www.worldmarathonmajors.com.

Further information: www.worldmarathonmajors.com/rankings