Raison Team at the Almaty Half Marathon

On April 19, the Almaty Half Marathon, one of Central Asia’s premier running events, took over the city streets. This year’s race brought together more than 10,000 participants from 44 countries, and the Raison team was right there in the thick of it.

Our team took on the 10km distance. For some, it was another planned milestone in their running calendar; for others, it was their very first time navigating a major-city course.

The City as a Race Track

The Almaty Half Marathon route is a literal breath of fresh air. Starting at the First President's Park, winding down al-Farabi Avenue, and finishing at the Central Stadium, the course hits the city’s most scenic spots with stunning mountain backdrops. There’s something special about running through Almaty in the spring when the city is at its peak.

The event was organized by the Courage to be First corporate fund, which has been hosting the race since 2012. With a course certified by World Athletics and inclusion in the AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races) calendar, the organization was strictly world-class.

Why We Show Up

For Raison, this isn't just about the sport. Participating in these events reflects our team philosophy: prioritizing health, building shared experiences outside the office, and supporting one another beyond just work tasks.

The beauty of running is that everyone defines their own win. Whether someone is chasing a personal best or simply aiming to cross the finish line, both achievements are equally valid. That’s what makes mass starts so vibrant — thousands of people, each with a different story, sharing the same road.