Over 4,000 athletes competed in the Chișinău Half Marathon 2026
The Chisinau Half Marathon 2026, taking place in the capital of the Republic of Moldova, attracted over 4,000 athletes, making it one of the most significant events of its kind in the country. Runners participated in various races, including the 21-kilometre half marathon, which was held along the city's central streets. The competition united participants from both Moldova and abroad, transforming the city center into a vibrant arena of performance and sportsmanship.
The marathon also attracted athletes from various countries, including 23 from Ireland, eager to demonstrate their passion and dedication to running.
"We are all from Ireland. We travelled all the way to Moldova to participate in this race and are well-prepared, having trained for months. Running is enjoyable. It brings us luck. That’s who we are as the Irish: we have fun, we run, and then, every Saturday, we enjoy coffee and cakes."
The participants noted that running is a vital part of their daily routine. For them, taking part in the marathon represents not only a personal challenge but also an opportunity to push their limits.
"I've been running for almost two years and have participated in similar events before. I look forward to when events are organized here in the capital."
"This year, I'm running for Concordia as part of a charity to support families with needy children."
"I've been running for some time, which motivated me to join the marathon this year. It's an active lifestyle that I want to share with my followers while promoting running."
"I came here alone. I really enjoy this sport, and that’s another reason for my participation."
Among the first to cross the finish line was Mihai Bezniuc, who completed the 10-kilometer race in just 36 minutes.
"I'm becoming more of a professional, or a more experienced amateur. It all depends on how you prepare. In the last four months of training, I expected to perform a bit better, but since I had another competition on Friday, I think my result turned out well," said Mihai Bezniuc.
Runners from 38 countries participated in the event, which featured main running distances of 4, 10, and 21 kilometers.
"We organized three main events: the Half Marathon, the Marathon, and the Night Run, which are related to the legends of Moldova. Last year, we had fewer participants, but I believe that in two years, we will reach 8,000 participants," stated Maxim Zorchin, the event organizer.
The Chisinau Half Marathon is in its second edition and serves as the main running event of the spring. At the end of the race, participants were rewarded with gifts from the organizers and partners.
