At the start of the sixth edition of the Tirana Marathon, the biggest sports event in the city, the Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, greeted all the contestants, stating that there are representatives from 33 countries. Veliaj said that Tirana is looking forward to receiving the title "European City of Sports 2023", as he indicated that this time he would run for Special Olympics Albania. 

"We are finalists to be the European City of Sports 2023. If we succeed, I hope as always, we will have more days like this. I want to give a round of applause to all those who came from Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albanians wherever they are. Many thanks to the 33 representatives from 33 countries. Thank you for coming to Tirana. I hope you will come back again next time, with your families, as tourists, as entrepreneurs and maybe, as residents and new citizens of our Republic. Each has chosen a cause. Please also use these media counters. Analysts have had a lot, each one to take it up for his cause, to sensitize people, to speak, to communicate, to attract witnesses and supporters, other activists to his cause! This year I will run for Special Olympics Albania. Everyone is our angel and in our city everyone deserves success based on the talent and support that each of us gives, but whatever the cause, feel free to promote it and recruit others to your cause", said Veliaj. 

The Tirana Marathon race is divided into four categories: "Marathon", the full race dedicated to professionals, "Half Marathon", for those who want to challenge themselves, "Tirana 10K", where mainly marathon enthusiasts compete, but not professionals and the "We Too" category, which is a competition for people with different abilities.