Press releases

MINSK, 24 August (BelTA) – Around 20,000 people are expected to take part in the Minsk City Day half marathon in 2016, Svetlana Demeshko, deputy head of the sports and tourism department of the Minsk City Hall, said in a press conference on 24 August, BelTA has learned.

“Registration is underway. Applications are open till 31 August. We expect up to 20,000 participants,” said Svetlana Demeshko. Last year, the event brought together over 15,000 runners.

Minsk half marathon is the sports highlight on the City Day calendar of events. It is open to both professional marathon runners and also running enthusiasts. Runners are free to choose one of the three distances.

The half marathon will be held on 4 September. It will start from the Palace of Sports and will follow the route certified by the IAAF last year. The prorgam inlcudes 21km, 5km and 10km races. Famous athletes are expected to attend, Svetlana Demeshko said.

In general, she said, the Minsk City Day celebrations will feature more than 20 sporting events in the Belarusian capital city.

The Minsk City Day is celebrated on the first weekend of September. This year it is 3 and 4 September. This year Minsk celebrates the 949th anniversary since it was first mentioned in The Tale of Bygone Years in 1067.