On the initiative of the Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change Aziz Abdukhakimov and the founder of the running school Prorun.uz Andrey Kulikov, a sports event was organized designed to draw the world community's attention to the Aral Sea's environmental disaster.

As part of the event, the famous American ultramarathon runner Dean Karnazes, together with Andrey Kulikov, ran 42 kilometers and 195 meters across the territory located 60 km from the Aral Sea and along the “Barsa-Kelmes” highway, which dried up as a result of the massive use of water resources in the region.

The marathon lasted 4 hours, 51 minutes, and 18 seconds. The total number of steps of Dean Karnazes was 43,420, and Andrey Kulikov – 44,860 steps.

In 2022, Andrey Kulikov overcame 42 km 195 m on the dried-up bottom of the Aral Sea in 4 hours and 9 minutes. The marathon, which took place on the territory of the Aral Sea, attracted significant attention to the environmental situation in the region. Dean Karnazes joined the event this year. His participation confirms the importance of the problem for the world community.

Mukhayyo Toshqorayeva, UzA