International horse race marathon to take place on eve of World Nomad Games

The international horse race (baige) marathon Uly Dala Zhorygy (The Great Steppe Tour) is set to be held in Kazakhstan ahead of the fifth World Nomad Games. It will feature 18 teams, with five representing Kazakhstan and the rest coming from Iran, Türkiye, Hungary, the Kyrgyz Republic, South Africa, Russia, and other countries. Participants will cover a 500-kilometer route. The equestrian marathon aims to promote core values of nomad culture, such as endurance, mutual support, and love for nature, the organizers note. Kostanai riders are actively preparing for the event at the local hippodrome. They will soon head to the Botai settlement in the North Kazakhstan region, the starting point of the race, which will conclude in Astana. The winners will take part in the opening of the World Nomad Games.

 

«This is a team game where it’s important to conserve the horses’ energy. Coming first to the finish line doesn’t mean winning the race. Each team has its own tactic. Some teams focus on gaining time at the start, while others wait for the horses to adjust before starting to catch up with the leading riders. Our team also has its own tactic, but we will not reveal it,» said Nurbol Abdrakhmanov, President of the Equestrian Federation othe Kostanai region.