Nordea , MAY 17 A new corner of Europe 2009

By Inese Kikule That was a year of dramatic changes: a new organizing team came in, a prestigious new title sponsor signed up (from then on it Latvia’s capital Riga has long had the became known as Nordea Riga ring of an exotic, faraway place, but Marathon), and for first time the it is rapidly establishing itself as a course was measured to cornerstone of Europe. Although international standards. Events at the population is only one million, other distances were added, and it may seem like a pocket-size increasing the focus on recreational metropolis, the city takes you by runners and swelling overall surprise with its incredible intensity numbers. Currently the Nordea of life. Only an hour from Berlin Riga Marathon is the fastest- and less than three hours from growing marathon event in the most European capitals, Riga is Baltic and East European region. In establishing itself as a weekend 2009, for all four distances offered destination of choice. Riga had long (Marathon, half-marathon, 5km been a hidden treasure on the and marathon relay), around 8600 shores of the Baltic Sea, but it participants registered, and of those possesses all the attributes of a more than 2500 were entered for world-class city. Among these a the Marathon or . fast-growing marathon must be Participants came from 35 mentioned near the top of the list. countries, and 55% of marathon runners were foreigners with the There has been a long tradition of largest international representations running in Riga. This year’s Riga coming from Finland, Great Britain, Marathon was the 19th edition, but Italy, Denmark, Germany and it all started long before that. In the Sweden. early 1980s, when marathon running enjoyed its first real events on offer. If not the full territory of the former USSR. “Distance Running” is all about worldwide boom in popularity, in marathon then the half - or at least but people base their Latvia it was also was part of a the 5km. Participation was a After riding this initial wave of decisions on where to run their next national awakening and integrally personal statement: “I run for popular acclaim the Riga Marathon marathon by taking into account all entwined with the independence Latvia”. Ironically, after national encountered a period of stagnation the attributes that a city can offer. movement. In those early days there independence was declared, most in the early 1990s. There was a So what can you do in Riga besides were close to 10000 participants runners in the Riga Marathon prolonged hiatus, but it got back running the Marathon? There is a running in one or other of the continued to come from the onto the international map in 2007. vibrant cultural agenda with

Distance Running July – September 2009 21 MEN: 1 Oleg GUR BLR 2:18:35 2 Rik CEULEMANS BEL 2:20:08

T 3 Raivis ZAKIS LAT 2:28:19 L 4 Ivo ZIGADLO LAT 2:30:43

U 5 Janis ARSENIKOVS LAT 2:34:21 S

E 6 Normunds FRIEMANIS LAT 2:35:59

R 7 Valts EIDUKS LAT 2:44:51 8 Kaspars TUBELIS LAT 2:45:51 9 Andris DUDELS LAT 2:46:17 10 Gerry HOGG GBR 2:47:29 WOMEN: 1 Katsiaryna DZIAMIDAVA BLR 2:47:30 2 Kirsi KOVACS FIN 3:02:55 3 Michelle MITCHELL 3:04:49 4 Katrin KUUSK EST 3:07:10 5 Irina STULA-PANKOKA LAT 3:07:34 6 Anita CUHNOVA LAT 3:14:24 7 Kaja VALS EST 3:17:41 8 Rosalie WILSON GBR 3:20:25 9 Elinor SCOTT GBR 3:24:06 10 Maija PUPOLA LAT 3:24:

If you are coming to Riga more for There are some other noteworthy fun and relaxation you will find features of the Nordea Riga plenty of cafes, bars, restaurants marathon not to be missed. The eve and night clubs. Some realise great of the event pasta dinner in the concepts, some serve great food, restaurant of the official hotel is some offer great wine list and some like few others. Runners can meet have all of it. and chat with the leading runners and just soak in energy in You might ask what is so special preparation for the next day’s about running a Marathon or half- exploits. All runners and their marathon in Riga. In 2010 it will supporters can buy tickets, but the be the 20th anniversary of the number of places is limited. Nordea Riga Marathon, to be held on 23 May. This year a brand new For the last two years the Nordea Riga Marathon has invited one of course was launched with the start Latvia’s leading artists to design the next to the President’s palace where official T-shirt Completing runners all national celebrations take place. get a quality adidas running T-shirt The course tours the most with a unique design of some distinctive neighbourhoods of the signature place from the course. city – the Art Nouveau district, the wooden architecture of Kipsala, the The course is traffic-free and the River crossing over the time limit is a generous six hours. Vansu Bridge and the Old Town. Don’t worry if you arrive a little There are no significant hills on the after the advertised limit – the course and the highest elevation is music will still be playing and the encountered in getting over the commemorative medal will await bridge. If you have prepared well your arrival, bearing an engraving numerous galleries and museums – Jugendstil houses and, across the there is every chance that you could of the cobbled streets of the course from the National Museum and its river, picturesque indigenous achieve a new personal best, just so that you will remember the most classical paintings to the wooden architecture ranged along like this year’s overall winner Oleg charming parts of Riga, and your contemporary art gallery placed in cobblestone streets. The Gur, who finished in 2:18:35. running tour through them. old warehouses next to the city marketplace features an market. The market also architectural curiosity: the market exemplifies Riga’s architectural buildings date from 1922, and were RACE CONTACT DETAILS attraction. Over the centuries constructed using the legacy left by architects have loved the city and NORDEA RIGA MARATHON MAY the German Kaiser's army - bestowed great treasures upon it. If Aigars Nords, Brivibas 40-37, Riga LV-1050 Zeppelin hangars. And last but not you visit Riga you will be able to Tel: 371 6750 4931 Fax: 371 6750 5286 least if you love classical music then appreciate the renovated but still Email: [email protected] Inet: nordearigamarathon.lv authentic medieval old town you must visit the Latvian National (established more than 800 years Opera to enjoy their outstanding Full race contact listings start on page 62 ago), Art Nouveau districts with productions.

22 Distance Running July – September 2009