SKOPJE, May 4 (Xinhua) -- The 15th Wizz Air Skopje Marathon was held on Saturday in the capital of North Macedonia, with the participation of about 12,500 runners from 58 countries and regions.

Race director Kire Sinadinovski said the marathon runners will compete in four races, namely marathon, half-marathon, relay race and 5 kilometer race.

At the opening ceremony, Skopje Mayor Petre Shilegov said "the marathon is one of the most renowned in the region."

Chalachew Tiruneh from Ethiopia turned out to be winner of the marathon, with a running time of 2:15:37, followed by Wilfred Korir from Kenya and Getaye Gelaw from Ethiopia.

Among women runners, Eunice Muchiri from Kenya came first with a running time of 2:33:38, followed by two other Kenyans Euliter Tanui and Naomi Limamurei.

The winner of the half-marathon was Dario Ivanovski, while the winner of the 5 kilometer race was Leonid Vandevski.

The Skopje Marathon is an annual event held in May in the capital of North Macedonia. The first marathon race was organized in 1997. Wizz Air, the Hungarian low-cost airline, is the main sponsor of the marathon.