Newsroom
Nicosia will be at the center of a major international sporting event tomorrow, Sunday 18 January, as the Bank of Cyprus Nicosia Marathon brings more than 8,000 runners and visitors into the capital. The race has grown into one of the city’s largest annual sporting occasions and is expected to significantly affect traffic throughout the day.
The event has a strong international dimension this year, attracting participants from Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Australia. Runners are arriving from countries as far apart as the United States, Colombia, Japan, Malaysia, Tanzania, Finland, and Portugal, highlighting the marathon’s expanding global profile.
Alongside individual athletes, corporate participation is also high. Over 100 companies are taking part in the 5 km corporate race, reflecting growing interest from the business community in wellness, teamwork, and active lifestyles.
Beyond competition, the marathon places strong emphasis on social contribution. This year’s official charity partner is the Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society. Participants contributed small donations during registration, supporting cancer patients and their families through specialized services.
Race schedule and routes
All races start from Solomou Square and finish in the city center at Eleftheria Square or nearby areas:
06:45 – Full Marathon (42 km)
07:10 – Half Marathon (21 km)
10:45 – 10 km race
11:25 – 5 km open race
11:30 – 5 km corporate race
12:50–13:00 – Children’s 1 km races (ages 6–12)
The routes pass through key landmarks of the capital, including the Old City, Famagusta Gate, the Liberty Monument, and major avenues such as Griva Digeni and Archangelou Michail, offering runners a mix of historic and modern urban scenery.
Road closures and traffic impact
Police and organizers have announced extensive traffic restrictions tomorrow from 5:45 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Numerous streets and avenues across central Nicosia, Engomi, Agios Dometios, and Pallouriotissa will be fully or partially closed, with several major roads operating on reduced lanes.
Traffic will be diverted through alternative routes, and police officers will be deployed throughout the affected areas. Drivers are advised to plan ahead and follow temporary road signage.
Detailed route maps, traffic closures, and parking information are available on the official marathon website: https://www.nicosiamarathon.com/
