NEW RECORDS AND THE ART OF RUNNING A MARATHON

The Lattelecom Rīga Marathon celebrated its 25^th anniversary this year, and although Mother Nature tested the readiness of runners and organisers by providing a temperature of +10° and a bit of rain instead of accustomed heat, last year’s records were once again broken.

First of all, a new record was set in terms of participant numbers – nearly 26,000 enthusiasts and professionals in the Rīga Marathon this year. Never before had as many countries been represented in the marathon as was the case this year – 69. Ethiopian Haile Tolossa Bekuma set a new Rīga Marathon record, finishing the 42-kilometre distance in two hours, twelve minutes and twenty-eight seconds (2:12:28). Runners were encouraged by a dancing honour guard and a choir featuring Rainis and Aspazija along the cultural kilometre on Brīvības Street, as well as various music points throughout the route.

Perhaps you also noticed the new visual identity of the Rīga Marathon. After changing its main partner, the Lattelecom Rīga Marathon took on a new visual appearance. Continuing last year’s story about a Cultural Marathon, this year we organised communications about the marathon in the context of art – the art of getting ready, the art of running, and the art of supporting others. Art was seen in the impatient “How many days left until the Marathon??!” format, on the kilometre signs along the route, and in the challenge from Endomondo to run through art – something that was actively used by running fans and those who visited the Expo photo stand.

See you next year on May 15, 2016 – the same place as always!