Kazakhstan’s Astana to Cut Road-Closing Marathons Amid Resident Complaints

Kazakhstan’s Astana Mayor Zhenis Kassymbek has announced that the city will host fewer mass running events that require road closures, following complaints from residents about frequent street shutdowns.

Speaking at a meeting in the Almaty district, Kassymbek said future races will prioritize bypass roads, bike paths, and pedestrian routes, with only a few events necessitating street closures each year, The Caspian Post informs via Kazakh media.

The mayor’s comments come as Astana continues expanding its sporting calendar, including hosting the first-ever Military Kazakh Wrestling (Qazaq Kuresi) Challenge under the International Military Sports Council (CISM) at the Qazaqstan Field and Track Complex.