An estimated 13,000 runners from 52 countries will take to the streets for the ninth edition of the Nova Poshta Kyiv Half Marathon, a five-star certified road race by European Athletics Running for All, on 6-7 April.
The event will be held over two days for the first time in order to allow for an expanded programme of events which will begin on with a mini-marathon and family-focused races on the Saturday before concluding with the 10km and half marathon on the Sunday.
The organisers are therefore confident of surpassing the 11,000 runners who took part twelve months ago in the flagship event of the rapidly expanding Run Ukraine series which concludes with the Zaporizhstal Half Marathon on 20 October.
'This means that every year more and more lovers of jogging and healthy lifestyles are growing,' said general manager of race organisers Run Ukraine Dmitry Chernitsky. “Our whole team is happy because our efforts are not in vain. This year we have decided to hold a two-day event to ensure that all participants were able to travel comfortably and in order to reduce of overlapping on the streets.”
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The half marathon will have added importance and prestige this year - and the growing stature of the race is such - that the Balkan Championships will be staged in conjunction. The organisers have also invited athletes from Ethiopia, Kenya, Eritrea and Morocco to compete while a strong Ukrainian cohort - including well-known runners such as Olha Kotovska, Oleksandr Sitkovskyy and Roman Romanenko - will add to the interest.
There is also a strong charitable element to the Kyiv Half Marathon with the ‘Fundraiser Marathon’ also taking place within the confines of the Kyiv Half Marathon. Runners can therefore run to raise funds to support projects of 14 charitable foundations which are supported by the Ukrainian Charity Exchange. Fundraising will continue until 12 April.
With the spring road racing season in full swing, the Nova Poshta Kyiv Half Marathon is one of seven road races with a five-star certification from European Athletics Running for All to be taking place this weekend along with the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon on the Saturday.
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]
More information on the European Running Business Conference:
Registration page: https://registration.mylaps.com/business-conference
Contact: [email protected]