Before the marathon, organized by the State Association “Turkmen Atlary”, the State Sports Committee and the National Equestrian Center, musical-dance groups and popular singers gave performances for participants, spectators and numerous foreign guests. After the ceremonial part, chief referee of the competition, horse breeder from the Canada and a friend of our country Tito Nils Pontecorvo invited 28 riders to line up at the start. The total distance of this annual horse race is 60 kilometers. It is held in two stages with an interim finish in the middle of the track. The present competitions are represented by horses from the Akhalteke Horse Breeding Complex of the President of Turkmenistan, the National Equestrian Center, the International Akhalteke Equestrian Complex, the Balkan, Mary and Dashoguz Equestrian Complexes, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Border Guard Service and private stables of the country. Although rain has started to fall this morning, all the horses showed their high-speed qualities and stamina, having successfully overcome the first thirty kilometers of the distance. During a half-hour break, a medical examination of the horses was conducted such as taking temperature, pulse and other parameters that must meet the established international standards. Only after making sure that the physiological indices of the horses comply with the regulations, experts allowed them to race the second section of the distance. The marathon made it possible to be once again to receive another evidence of the strength, stamina and high speed of the Turkmen horses, and demonstrated the ability of riders to correctly assess the physical capabilities of their horse at a long distance race, and visually show the achievements of domestic breeders and trainers. The winners are determined for the shortest time needed to overcome the entire distance, provided that the veterinary inspection at the finish gives a positive conclusion. Their names will be announced on the Turkmen Horse Day, which will be celebrated on Sunday, April 30.