The International Marathon started in Malorita. We talked with the first participants who will run 42 kilometers

Today, October 10, Malorita hosts the 43rd International Marathon. More than a thousand participants from Belarus and Russia came to the competition. The program includes a classic marathon, races for 5 and 10 kilometers, as well as a family distance. The first started those who have to overcome 42 kilometers 195 meters, reports sb.by.

That in Malorita planned a big sports festival, was noticeable on the way. From the very morning in Brest, we met people in running shoes, bright windbreakers, with backpacks and sports bags. At that time, it seemed that there were many athletes. But it was worth coming to Malorita, as it became clear: it was only a small part of the participants.

Here runners were already everywhere, and in the central square they were many times more. Long before the start, some attached numbers and checked the clock, others warmed up or ran short stretches. Many were photographed before entering the track - for some, this start was supposed to be one of the main events of the season.

The first to the starting line invited marathon runners. They had to spend several hours on the track, so everyone was focused on their own during the warm-up. After the countdown, the runners went to the distance. The tight group quickly stretched and soon the athletes hid behind the turn. The square became freer, but not for long - there were other starts ahead.

Interest in the Maloritsk marathon this year was high. All available seats ended a week before the competition. Chairman of the Maloritsky District Executive Committee Alexander Korzh said that next year the number of participants is planned to increase:

The Maloritsk marathon has long taken its place in the republican sports calendar. This year, all quotas were exhausted a week before the start of the competition. We see how many people want to come to us, so next year we plan to increase the number of seats.

At one start, people with very different experiences met today. For some, this is another marathon, for others – the first serious test. Someone came to fight for time, and someone enough to go the whole distance and finish. The oldest participant of the current competition is 70 years old, the youngest is not yet a year old.

Before the start, the runners were supported by Olympic champion, multiple world, European and Soviet champion, owner of 19 world records Leonid Taranenko. This is not the first time he has come to the Maloritsk Marathon.

- People of different ages and professions are gathered here today. Everyone has their own distance, their own training and their own goal. But the most important thing you have done is to start. Not everyone needs records and first places. Sometimes the main victory is not to stop and get to the end. I wish everyone to cope with their distance and wait for the moment for which you were preparing, said Leonid Taranenko.

64-year-old Vladislav Sosna had more than a hundred such finishes. He has been coming to Malorita since 2003, but he cannot name the exact number of local starts - he has long ceased to count. Today, 70-year-old friend Anatoly Pavlyukovich runs with him.

Vladislav once completed a marathon in about three hours. Now the result on the stopwatch is not so important for him. The main thing is to correctly calculate the strength and finish the distance.

- It's my distance, I love it. The first half is usually run for pleasure, and the second has to endure. Before I tried to show the time, now the task is different – to get to the finish line. Although I am not the oldest here yet, Vladislav Sosna smiles.

But Pavel Ivonchik from Borisov today for the first time went to the marathon distance. He's been running for about a year. Started with 5 and 10 kilometers, then ran a half marathon. The first running season decided to finish on the classic 42 kilometers 195 meters. Paul comes to the competition with his wife and daughter. Thanks to his passion, the family began to visit different cities of Belarus more often. Paul himself says that running changed not only his routine, but also his attitude towards such trips:

- We used to be able to come into town, walk downtown and leave. Things are different now. You run through the streets, see ordinary courtyards, parks, meet locals. It is a very different experience with the city. Over the past year, we have been to many places where we might not have come without competition. Today I just want to go through the whole marathon and realize that I can do it.

While Pavel and other marathon runners have long hours on the track, the following participants are preparing in the central square. Ahead of the races for 5 and 10 kilometers, as well as a family start for one kilometer.