The Danske Bank Vilnius Marathon only attracted a handful of enthusiasts in the early days but the number of participants has ballooned over the past decade.
Nowadays, even most smaller towns and cities in Lithuania have their own running clubs as well as an annual running event and this growth has brought the Vilnius Marathon and its organisers to the forefront of promoting a running culture.
From humble beginnings back in 2003, the marathon was staged for the twelfth time on 13 September last year and attracted a record number of participants, with 16,000 runners from 49 countries around the world making it the nation’s largest running event.
The event has been given a 5-star endorsement by European Athletics Running For All and furthermore, the race is participating in the European Week of Sport. As part of the #BeActive initiative - a cornerstone of the week-long event which begins on 10 September - the organisers are staging a kids’ run which is expected to attract more than 2000 children from across the city.
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While the Vilnius Marathon course might not be the fastest on the planet - the city is built on seven hills - the impressive and varied architecture of the Old Town will make up for missing out on that personal best. And how often does one get the chance to run through a UNESCO World Heritage site on traffic-free roads?
The rich diversity of buildings includes many structures in Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classical styles that have survived in good condition. The streets and buildings carry the influences of Lithuanians, Jews, Poles, Russians, Germans, Belarusians, Karaites and Tatars.
The runners start at the foot of the castle-topped hill in the heart of the city, near Cathedral Square, and progress along the streets of Vilnius. One key landmark en route, a Gothic masterpiece, is St. Anne’s Church. According to legend, Napoleon wanted to take this church to Montmartre in Paris on the palm of his hand.
The Old Town, which covers 359.5 hectares, is the largest in Eastern Europe at nearly 360 hectares and is a well-preserved example of the street network and urban structure that characterises the city’s medieval roots. The twisting and cobbled streets might not be designed for fast running but it is the best way to acquaint yourself with a city which dates back to the fourteenth century.
Ethiopian Teklu Getu Metaferia claimed the plaudits in last year’s race and thoroughly enjoyed his time in the Lithuanian capital: “I liked it very much in Vilnius. The route was interesting and full of challenges,” he said.
To enhance the atmosphere this year, the organisers have arranged for 17 bands and a DJ to play music in designated entertainment zones on the route this year.
Vilnius has more than 500,000 residents, and the number who have caught the running bug keeps growing from the adults who will test their endurance across the 26.2-mile challenge right down to the children taking on the 200 metre challenge held in conjunction with the event as part of the #BeActive initiative.
And maybe in the future, perhaps some of the children taking part in the kids’ race will one day target the full marathon in Vilnius?
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The European Athletics Quality Road Race standards act as an assurance for road runners throughout Europe. They distinguish between races that respect the standards and those that haven’t sought certification or assessment. They form the foundation of Running for All, a strong recognisable brand for running activities throughout Europe.
More information on Running for All:
Website: european-running4all.org
Twitter: @runningforall
Contact: [email protected]