Turkish Airlines ActivePulse Half Marathon 2026 launched in Dhaka

Dhaka: The Turkish Airlines ActivePulse International Half Marathon 2026 was officially launched at a grand ceremony in the capital on August 13. The second edition of the race is set for September 18 at Hatirjheel, drawing an expected 3,500 runners.

Turkish Airlines is backing the flagship ActivePulse Bangladesh event for a second straight year. This year's theme, "Run the World," aims to spotlight global cultures in Dhaka while deepening ties between Bangladesh and Türkiye.

Held at a five-star hotel, the ceremony gathered corporate leaders, athletes, diplomats, and members of the running community and unveiled the official race T-shirt and finisher medals for the first time.

Dr. S. M. Ziauddin Hyder, Special Assistant on Health Affairs to the Prime Minister, attended as Chief Guest, while Group Captain S M Ragib Samad, Executive Director of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, joined as a special guest.

Ashwani Nayar, Area General Manager of IHG South West Asia and Cluster General Manager of Crowne Plaza Dhaka Airport and InterContinental Dhaka; Osman Çelik, Chief Financial Officer of United Aygaz LPG Ltd.; and Hakan Altınışık, Director of Singer Bangladesh Ltd., were also present, representing other organizations affiliated with the event.

The ceremony opened with welcome remarks from İslam Güre, Country Manager of Turkish Airlines in Bangladesh, and Md. Tanvir Hasan, Founder and CEO of ActivePulse Bangladesh.

Güre expressed pride in continuing Turkish Airlines' association with ActivePulse Bangladesh for a second consecutive year. He described the race as a meaningful platform bringing the people and cultures of Türkiye and Bangladesh closer through sport, while supporting young leadership and the country's growing running community.

Speaking as chief guest, Dr. Hyder stressed the value of physical activity for public health and encouraged wider adoption of exercise and active living. He praised efforts that unite communities around running while raising awareness of preventive health.

The race is an AIMS Member event, with its half marathon course AIMS certified and measured by World Athletics. Hatirjheel, one of the most popular venues among Dhaka's running community, will host the race for the second consecutive year.

Organizers said registration is already open and has drawn strong interest, with more than 2,000 runners signing up before the launch ceremony alone. They expect roughly 3,500 participants will join this year across four race categories.

Categories include the 21.095-kilometer half marathon, a 14.645-kilometer challenge run, a 7.321-kilometer FNF run, and a 1.5-kilometer fun run. A prize pool exceeding BDT 300,000 has been set aside for eligible amateur athletes in competitive categories.

Male and female winners will receive equal prize money. A new Veteran 50+ category has also been added for the half marathon distance, while every finisher of the fun run will receive recognition.

Several national and international brands have joined this year's edition, including the kit partner, Turkish Cargo, and the hospitality partner, Crowne Plaza Dhaka Airport.

Beyond competition, the initiative aims to promote active lifestyles and a healthier Bangladesh, organizers said, adding that they believe mass-participation events can encourage people across ages and professions to stay physically active.

Such events are also expected to boost sports tourism, community engagement, and youth participation, while raising Bangladesh's profile within the global recreational running scene.

Planners said the 2026 edition will be larger than last year's race, with upgrades to course management, entertainment, and participant services. Cultural elements and partner activations are also expected to expand.

Turkish Airlines' continued sponsorship adds significance to the race, organizers said. As runners assemble at Hatirjheel next month, the event will mark both athletic achievement and the broader friendship between the two nations.

Through the "Run the World" theme, organizers envision the marathon as a platform where Bangladesh welcomes international participants while celebrating cultural ties with Türkiye through sport.

With the launch ceremony complete, preparations are now underway for the September 18 race, when thousands of runners are expected to take over Hatirjheel for the event's second edition.