First - the whole family, then - 9.2 kilometers in the forest. How was the race at the "Zubr Fest"

Long before the start at the main entrance to the Belovezhskaya Forest is already crowded. Parents help children to secure numbers, participants warm up and inspect the track. The Zubr-Fest sports program combined two races: a family route with a length of 1 kilometer and an adult distance of 9.2 kilometers on rough terrain. At the start came both experienced runners and those for whom this day was the first acquaintance with the competition, the correspondent of sb.by.

- I am very happy that today is the Zubr Fest and many guests come here. My family, including my granddaughter, will come only in winter, and you please me now and create a good mood for the whole next year.

At the family distance, the time was not fixed and the winners were not determined. Children under 12 years old could go on the route with their parents, and the youngest – to overcome it in wheelchairs. While the adults agreed not to hurry and stay close, the young runners were eagerly waiting for the team to start.

Among them was Anya Kurilchik . . Together with her mother Olga, she travels the kilometer route for the third time. Then Olga went to the adult distance. Her passion for running earned her several prizes, including the second in her age category at the Minsk Marathon.

- I always choose ten kilometers. My daughters support me and are now entering the competition. This year at the Minsk Marathon we ran with the whole family - each had its own distance. Tomorrow the eldest daughter will start for two kilometers in Mogilev, and we still have Malorita ahead. We came here for new impressions. Urban routes are familiar, and in the Belovezhskaya Forest there is a completely different situation - a forest, autumn, a beautiful place, said Olga Kurilchik.

- I really like it here, so it was interesting to see the Belovezhskaya Forest even from a running distance, the girl shared.

Near the start, a father with two daughters was preparing. The eldest previously participated in the race in the Brest Park of Internationalist Warriors, and the youngest first tried her hand. She was the first person to remind her family that it was time to pack.

- Movement gives strength, so children need to be taught a healthy lifestyle from an early age. Of course, parental support is important, but the daughters themselves show interest. The youngest today was the first to say that she, too, needs to go running, and the eldest already has a little competitive experience, said the father of the girls.

After the finish, the youngest participant honestly admitted: it was difficult and she is not ready to go on the track again. However, with a smile, the father replied that first you need to rest, and then perhaps the desire will return.

Children traveled the route differently. Some immediately broke ahead, others tried not to lag behind their parents, and someone closer to the finish went one step. Adults adjusted to their pace, cheered and helped to pass the last meters. For some families, this start was a continuation of the general hobby, for others - the first such experience.

When the children received medals and began to share their impressions, adult participants gathered at the starting line. They went to a distance of 9.2 kilometers.

The route was used for the first time for competitions. Instead of the usual urban asphalt, the participants were waiting for forest and country roads of the Belovezhskaya Forest. The rain washed away certain sections of the track, so the runners had to carefully choose the trajectory and calculate the strength at a distance. The unusual location and natural relief turned the start into a real challenge even for experienced participants.

Kirill Sergievich finished first. He used to play sports professionally, then reduced his workload due to family circumstances, and now he is gradually returning to regular training. His wife and mother came to support him.

- It was really cool. Fresh air, nature, a lot of participants and good competition – I would like to see such starts more often. I am grateful to my family who came to support me. Now I am gaining form again and I hope to further improve the results, Kirill said.

Volunteers helped well and showed direction, and in the last meters the support of the audience was felt. Because of the rain, the road was washed away, the sneakers slipped in places - you had to move carefully so as not to twist your leg. When there were three or four kilometers left, we were waiting for a small climb, which was not the most pleasant surprise. However, the distance went smoothly and the overall impression remained positive.

Participants were supported even before they saw the finish line. Some spectators specially came to cheer for their relatives, others stopped at the track on the way between the festival venues. After several kilometers down the wet road, their voices helped the runners cope with the final stint.

High interest in the race was indicated at the registration stage. The initial number of slots was dismantled in just three hours. After numerous appeals, the recording continued so that more people could join the competition.

As a result, participants with different experiences and tasks met on the same platform. While some fought for places at the adult distance, others introduced children to running. And some parents managed to visit in both roles: first accompanied sons and daughters on a short route, and half an hour later they were already at the start line.

Photo report. Mass athletics race in Belovezhskaya Pushcha