What if running is more than just a sport — what if it’s a way to rediscover your city?
That’s how the story of Baku Pulse began — an initiative that unites a love for movement, culture, and people.
We spoke with the project’s founder, Yagub Gurbanov, about how running through the streets of Baku turned into a source of inspiration and led to the creation of a community where sport becomes a bridge between the city and its people.
What does running mean to you?
My journey with running began in quite an unusual way — with ChatGPT. I simply entered my data there: age, weight, goals, and reasons why I wanted to start running. At that time, I felt stuck in a routine — work, tasks, the same things every day. ChatGPT created a three-month training plan for me, and I decided to give it a try.
My goal was the Baku Marathon, which usually takes place in May. That’s how it all started. Later, running began to take up more and more space in my life — not only as a sport but as part of my professional activity.
I ran my first marathon while working at PASHA Holding, where we participated as a team.
Later, at Birmarket, my colleagues and I decided to create our own running community. At first, there were only two or three of us, but now the group has grown to between twenty and forty people, depending on activity.
How did the idea of Baku Pulse come about, and what inspired you to combine sport, culture, and community in this format?
Baku Pulse is my personal initiative, independent of work. I wanted to create not just a running movement, but something deeper — a blend of sport, culture, and love for our city.
I run alone, and during my runs I film videos, showing Baku and other corners of Azerbaijan from a fresh perspective. For example, I have footage from Balakhani, Shamakhi, and Diri Baba, and that’s just the beginning. I try to collect these “fragments” of our country to show, through running, what makes it truly special.
While running, I began to notice details I used to pass by — architectural elements, old streets, the unique atmosphere of neighborhoods. And one day, I realized that I had to share this experience.
That’s how the idea of filming short videos and posting them came about — to inspire others to see familiar places in a new way.
Later, the initiative was supported by the Azerbaijan Tourism Board.
What message do you want to share through Baku Pulse?
I wouldn’t want it all to come down to the typical phrase, “Running is health.” Everyone knows that.
For me, running is not just a sport — it’s a part of culture. I don’t aim to become a professional athlete, nor do I encourage others to do so. Rather, I want to show that running can be a way of life — a path to self-discovery, mindfulness, and inner balance.
During a run, a person can find answers to questions they never have time for in the rush of daily life — whether it’s about work, personal matters, or inner doubts.
Running helps you reflect: Where am I going? What do I want from life? What truly matters to me?
These thoughts rarely come when you’re caught up in routine.
How do you see the future of Baku Pulse?
The project has several directions. On one hand, my personal runs and videos that showcase the beauty of Azerbaijan. On the other, a community where people can meet, discuss ideas, share experiences, and draw inspiration.
At our first meeting, there were four speakers discussing various topics. There were no age limits — around 50 people attended through open registration on social media.
People genuinely connected with the idea: they asked questions, shared expectations, and showed interest in upcoming events, as there’s currently no unified platform where running and everything related to it can be discussed openly.
In the future, I plan to develop Baku Pulse in two directions — continuing to film videos about running and the beauty of Azerbaijan, while also nurturing a live community where people can meet and find like-minded individuals.
How do you motivate young people to join you?
Mainly through social media — it’s the most effective tool today. Our site (thebakupulse.com) and Instagram page (@thebakupulse) help people see that running can be more than just a sport — it can be a lifestyle, a community, and a form of cultural expression.
Which run was the most memorable for you — perhaps the most difficult or the most unique?
The most memorable one was a trail run in Shahdag.
Five hours of mountain running, 27 kilometers, heat, and tough terrain — pure adrenaline. You’re alone in the mountains, surrounded by silence. Many drop out after 15 kilometers, but for me it was a challenge and an incredible experience.
Moments like that make you question why you’re doing all this — and help you find new strength within yourself.
