Primarily, this growth is associated with experienced runners who train under the guidance of professional coaches, monitor their nutrition, and strive to improve their personal bests. These runners can be seen early in the morning, even in rain and snow, as they dash through the empty streets of the city on Sundays.
They are no longer limited to races in Bishkek and eagerly participate in competitions both in nearby and far-off countries, not hesitating to spend money to take part in international marathons.
Such runners have become the target audience for major marathons—a series of six of the most prestigious marathons in the world, known as the "Big Six." This list includes marathons in Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York. Last year, the Sydney marathon was added to this list, and for many runners, participating in these races is a cherished dream.
Completing one of these marathons is no easy task. Participants must either have already achieved a good result in a marathon or try their luck in a lottery to win a slot. The number of applications significantly exceeds the available spots, and organizers do not take into account the level of preparation of participants when distributing slots. Even if you have a time of 3 hours and 30 minutes, other participants who simply registered with you might end up getting the slot in the lottery.
Once they obtain the coveted slot, participants must pay from $300 and up. Such runners sometimes refer to themselves as "running nuts," and among them was the author of this material—Bakyt Shukuraliev.
If someone completes all 6 (now 7) marathons, they are awarded a special medal at the last race, which represents a gear—the dream of all "running nuts." The official website of the major marathons features information about those who have completed all 6 marathons and received the gear. However, there are currently no such runners from Kyrgyzstan. There are those who have run several marathons, but no one has completed all six.
Nevertheless, there has been a recent trend toward improvement, and there is hope that soon the country will have a holder of the gear.
Today, I want to tell you about Zhyrgal Toktoshev, one of those "running nuts," who ran three majors in 42 days. He has just returned from New York, where he completed the marathon on November 2 and shared his impressions.
— Zhyrgal, hello! You’ve already shared this story, but let’s gather everything in one place. This might be useful for others. How did you get your first slot for a major?
— I got my first slot through qualification. In 2024, at the marathon in Turkestan (Kazakhstan), I ran 42 km 195 meters in 2 hours and 55 minutes, which allowed me to secure a spot in Chicago in the 40-45 age category. Three weeks later, the New York marathon was scheduled, and I decided to apply there. My result qualified, but I was denied due to the large number of runners with better results and was offered to participate in the lottery. I got lucky and won a slot in New York.
— When did you find out that you had slots for two majors?
— In December 2024. In May, I started preparing and learned that another runner from our team was participating in the Berlin marathon. He got his slot due to a fast result. I found out about a company in Kazakhstan that helps secure a slot without qualification and lottery. I contacted them, and they found me a slot for Berlin, so I ended up with three majors.
— How much does it cost?
— Slots for each major cost about the same—$300-320. I bought a slot through a company in Kazakhstan for 1000 euros, including accommodation for 4 days, which is a normal price.
— The Chicago marathon took place on October 12, and Berlin on September 21. So, did you change your training plan?
— Yes, I had to change my training a month in advance to run both Berlin and Chicago. We discussed everything with my coach.
— You understood that you had three marathons in 42 days. How did you decide how to run them?
— The coach suggested not to change plans and prepare for Chicago, while just treating Berlin as a long training run. But it’s a major, how could I do that? Our club is called "Dakansa Run Team," we can’t run slowly. I decided to go "all out," but in the end, my result was worse than just a training run—3 hours and 30 minutes.
— Why did that happen?
— Long before the marathon, the organizers began warning that an abnormally hot weather was expected on race day. As the date approached, they confirmed the forecast. They reminded us that such heat hadn’t been experienced in 71 years and advised against risking personal records for that year. They even set up showers along the course for cooling.
I started as if it were the main race of the year. I had enough strength for 18 km, then cramps began. I tried to slow down, but it didn’t help. The cramps were not only in my legs but even in my back and shoulder. I started transitioning to a slow jog, and in some sections, I just walked. At 34 km, I thought I should have listened to my coach and just treated it as a training run, saving the main race for Chicago.
— If cramps appeared already at 18 km of the marathon, didn’t you have the desire to drop out?
— Of course, thoughts crossed my mind, but it’s a major. I needed to finish to get the medal. I calmed myself by thinking that someday I would return and set my personal record.
— Runners say that in majors, there is always a pack to run with.
— Yes, from start to finish, there is always a pack at any pace. Participants who finish in 2:40 or faster finish in groups of 2-3 people, and we always run surrounded by other runners. You can’t linger at the aid stations; otherwise, you’ll get passed. Every time I thought I would overtake those ahead, but no—the crowd was like a river.
— How did you cope with such a result?
— Just a couple of days, as I had to return home and prepare for Chicago.
— How is the expo at the majors?
— Excellent. Of all three majors I attended, the most modest race packet was in Berlin. They didn’t give anything except the bib number. I would recommend everyone planning to participate in majors to come to the expo on Thursday and spend the whole day there. There’s everything—cafes, entertainment. Sponsors hold no-loss raffles where you can win prizes, including t-shirts and watches. However, you need to be patient, as the lines can be huge.
Also, in Berlin, the organizers provide each runner with a QR code that allows them to use public transport for free for three days.
— Can non-participants access the expo?
— In Berlin, it was strict; they didn’t let anyone in. In Chicago and New York, it was easier—you could just walk in.
— How many runners from Kyrgyzstan were in Berlin?
— I didn’t check. However, after the New York marathon, the organizers sent statistics, and among 7 runners from Kyrgyzstan, I had the best result.
— You returned from Berlin and are flying to Chicago?
— I flew out on October 1 to acclimatize before the marathon. I don’t handle flights well, so I left early.
— Did you discuss the Berlin marathon with your coach?
— He said I lost my form. We didn’t have a plan, so in the US, I could run based on how I felt. But I don’t know how to run for enjoyment, so I stuck to the same plan as in Berlin—4 minutes per kilometer. I acclimatized well and rested, but again at 30 km, the cramps started. There were medics near the aid stations; I approached them several times, and they supported me and gave me massages.
— At races, we have cars at intersections honking. Was it like that there?
— I didn’t encounter that anywhere. The roads were completely closed, and spectators stood along the entire course. Cars couldn’t pass.
— And the spectators don’t complain?
— No. In Berlin, people sat along the road, having breakfast, drinking coffee or beer. Many had signs. I saw one that said, "Don’t forget you paid for this."
— In majors, there are over 50,000 runners. The day after the marathon, can you see other runners on the streets?
— There weren’t many in Berlin, but in America—everywhere. Some in merchandise, some with medals around their necks, all congratulating each other. Even ordinary residents understand that you ran a marathon and congratulate you too.
— What happened after Chicago?
— I flew to California, where I spent two weeks running 5-6 km a day, without long runs.
— When did you arrive in New York?
— On Thursday morning, I checked into a hotel near the expo and finish line. But it was very far from the start—first the subway, then the ferry, then the bus. To start at 9:15, I had to get up at 4 am. Next time, I’ll probably get accommodation closer to the start.
I went to the expo, a huge hall, many people, excellent attitude towards participants. If you say it’s your first marathon, the cashier rings a bell and shouts that it’s your first marathon, let’s support him. If you say it’s not your first marathon, they ask if it’s your first time in New York? And again, they shout words of support. The atmosphere is amazing!
— Runners often say that on Friday they pick up their packets, and then on Saturday they rest to show a good result on Sunday. Was it like that for you?
— It was like that in Chicago, but in New York, on Friday, I walked 35,000 steps; I wanted to see everything.
— And on Saturday?
— That’s a separate story. When registering for the lottery, there was a question about whether you wanted to carry your country’s flag in the parade. In New York, there is a parade the day before the marathon. Two weeks before the marathon, I received a letter asking me to explain why I should carry the flag. It seems there were many applicants. I used GPT chat, wrote a response, and sent it. In the end, I was chosen, and I carried the flag in the parade.
— Who can participate in the parade?
— Only marathon participants, but only those who checked the box during registration. If you didn’t check it, you won’t be let in. But maybe it wasn’t worth participating. We were called at three, but they only started at five.
— Like at weddings here.
— Exactly. In the end, I spent 5 hours on my feet. It was cold, there was nowhere to sit, and I was hungry. On Saturday, I also walked 35,000 steps.
— Do you always take a flag with you abroad?
— Usually, yes, but this time the organizers provided the flag.
— A new one?
— No, it was an old one. They gave one large flag, and other participants got small ones. Like at the opening of the Olympics, with spectators and a broadcast. After the parade, they didn’t take the flag back, which surprised me. Our flag intrigued many; Koreans knew we were from Kyrgyzstan, and I talked to Kenyans.
— How did the marathon itself go?
— I decided to live up to the club's name and ran fast again. This time I had enough strength for 34 km, with an average pace of 4:16, then cramps started again. The course has many hills, and some claimed that New York is even harder than Boston. In the end, I finished in 3 hours and 12 minutes. Closer to the finish, I asked my compatriots to give me the flag and kalpak. That’s how I completed the race. By the way, at the finish of the New York marathon, they give out ponchos, which are very warm and necessary after finishing.
— For free?
— Yes, and that’s not all. On the Monday after the marathon, marathon week begins, when partners offer their products for free. For example, you can just walk up to a burger truck, show your medal, and get a burger for free.
— Did you see many other runners around the city after the race?
— A lot. Everyone in ponchos with medals, all congratulating each other. There’s a normal attitude towards runners. I had a case in a pharmacy: I took cream and decided to buy pistachios. At the checkout, I found out they cost $12. The cashier realized I had run a marathon, started asking questions, congratulated me, and in the end gave me a 50% discount. They say that during marathon days, New York becomes a running Mecca, and you can see people with medals around their necks on the streets.
— As an experienced participant in major marathons, can you advise newcomers on what to buy during registration and what can be purchased at the expo?
— You don’t need to order photos and videos right away. After the marathon, you can check the website and buy them. Sometimes someone has 10 photos, and someone else has 80. In Berlin, it’s better to get a poncho in advance, as it’s paid there. Other items can be bought at the expo; the price will be the same.
— After your three marathons, did other runners start to show interest?
— Yes, many write and ask. In the US, our compatriots often asked me if I really paid for the trip and participation. They don’t understand yet.
— What’s your next major?
— To get the gear, I need to run three more. I already have a slot for Boston, now I’m looking for opportunities for Tokyo and London. But the difficulty is that Boston and London take place in the same week—Boston on April 20, 2026, and London on April 26.
I am actively looking for slots for Tokyo and London. They say that if you run 5 majors, the organizers will provide a slot for the sixth so you can get the gear. Each major wants you to complete the gear with them. At the sixth major, there will be a separate finish corridor for you, and you will be specially congratulated.
— Wow, after your words, I even want to start running again.
— Come on, you should start too!
— Once you collect the gear. What’s next?
— There’s a series called Super Halfs, which consists of half marathons in Berlin, Cardiff, Copenhagen, Lisbon, Prague, and Valencia. I will participate.
