AGHDAM, Azerbaijan, October 11. The winners of
the 3rd International Khankendi Ultramarathon have been
announced.
As reported by Trend’s Karabakh bureau, 97 athletes from six
countries took part in the competition, jointly organized by the
Ministry of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijan
Athletics Federation, and Baku City Circuit Operations Company.
During the four-day ultramarathon, the athletes covered a total
distance of 192 kilometers. The competition consisted of four
stages: Gabala–Agdash (52.5 km), Agdash–Barda (63.5 km),
Barda–Aghdam (46.8 km), and Aghdam–Khankendi (29.2 km).
Winners were determined and awarded separately for each stage.
According to the overall results in the men’s category, Georgia’s
Davit Kharazishvili took first place, Lithuania’s Andrey Egorov
finished second, and Azerbaijan’s Elshad Nasibov came third.
In the women’s category, Ukraine’s Olena Shevchenko took first
place in the overall standings. Russia’s Leyla Abdinova finished
second, while Azerbaijan’s Natalia Vallek placed third.
The final stage of the ultramarathon was held along the
Aghdam–Khankendi route. Over the 29.2-kilometer distance, Davit
Kharazishvili was the first to cross the finish line among the men,
while Olena Shevchenko took first place among the women.
Speaking about the significance of the competition, Azerbaijan’s
Minister of Youth and Sports, Farid Gayibov, noted that the number
of participants has been growing year after year. According to him,
athletes from six countries took part in this year’s ultramarathon,
with women accounting for approximately 25% of the
participants.
The minister congratulated the athletes who reached the finish
line and emphasized the importance of holding sporting events in
the liberated territories.
Overall winner Davit Kharazishvili expressed satisfaction with
the standard of organization. He thanked the people of Azerbaijan
and said he planned to participate in the ultramarathon again next
year.
Elshad Nasibov, who finished third overall, said he was proud to
represent Azerbaijan. He noted that running during the competition
was comfortable, but the recovery process was difficult. He also
thanked the doctors for supporting the athletes.
The main goal of the international ultramarathon is to promote a
healthy lifestyle and running, as well as to showcase different
regions of Azerbaijan through sport.
It should be noted that the Khankendi Ultramarathon was first
held in 2024 along the Khankendi–Baku route. The event brought
together 64 athletes from four countries, who covered a distance of
380 kilometers. In 2025, 81 athletes from six countries took part
in the ultramarathon along the Gabala–Khankendi route.
