Press releases

Best African athletes to take part in 2016 Minsk Half Marathon

MINSK, 2 September (BelTA) – Best African runners will take part in the 2016 Minsk Half Marathon on 4 September, Chairman of the Belarusian Athletics Federation Vadim Devyatovsky told media on 1 September, BelTA has learned.

Registration of participants is drawing to its end at the website of the Minsk Half Marathon www.minskhalfmarathon.by. According to the organizers, as of early 31 August a total of 14,293 sport amateurs were registered, including 641 foreigners from 42 countries. The biggest numbers of foreign athletes are from Russia (230), Lithuania (130), and Latvia (82). Around 20,000 people are expected to join the 2016 Minsk Half Marathon.

Serious competition to Belarus’ leading runner, participant of the Rio Olympic Games Olga Mazurenok will be added by African athletes who are expected to take part in the 21km race. “This year well-known athletes are expected to come. We, organizers, are happy about it. Of course, we hope for a victory of Belarus’ Olga Mazurenok. However, she will have serious competition from African runners,” said Vadim Devyatovsky.

The Chairman of the Belarusian Athletics Federation also demonstrated medals for all who registered on the official website of the event. The 2016 Minsk Half Marathon has been certified by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). Winners in the 21km race will get $3,000 in prize money. Runners-up will receive $2,500, while third-place finishers will get $2,000. The prize money of the event will make up nearly $20,000.

According to Vadim Devyatovsky, the half marathon will feature competitions for a number of valuable presents: BMW bicycle, a berth to the Riga Half Marathon, sneakers from Olga Mazurenok. The event will also feature a contest for the most unusual outfit and eight entertainment venues.

The Minsk Half Marathon will take place on 4 September. All the participants will be invited to a 5km, 10km and 21km races. Participation costs Br7 for 5km race and €18 for 10km and 21km races.

Registration is free for people with disabilities, participants of the Great Patriotic War and the war in Afghanistan, school and university students.

As in 2015, the 2016 Minsk Half Marathon will have its Dream Team that will feature sport and show biz celebrities, directors of agencies and big companies, including Education Minister Mikhail Zhuravkov, Sport and Tourism Minister Alexander Shamko, First Vice President of the National Olympic Committee Maksim Ryzhenkov.

print version

make home page

add to bookmarks