Marathon Europe Asia 2016 was held in Yekaterinburg: photos of participants, details

– I am not a very athletic person, but this year I decided to participate in the marathon for the first time, because this is a very important event that unites all the townspeople and guests of the Urals. Last year all my friends fled, but I couldn’t because of the tour. This year the dumplings and I specially adjusted the tour schedule so as to get to the marathon. We ran it together with friends and like-minded people Tatyana Kataeva and Alexandra Belyaeva, with whom we once played in KVN in the same women’s team. Another friend, Ekaterina Kudryavtseva, who also took part in the “Pelmeni”, was supposed to run with us, but today she has an exam at the GUFSIN.

As not very prepared, it was not easy for me, but I ran with joy. The track is simple – a straight road, fountains. At first we didn’t even realize that it refreshed us so much (laughs). There was such excitement and positiveness, therefore, despite the fatigue, it was impossible to stop! I feel a little embarrassed that I ran only 3 km, although for me this is already a lot. And I was aimed not at numbers, but at positive emotions. Did you see how many people ran the marathon and half marathon at 9am? There was a continuous stream and that’s cool! Running is great! During training – my friends and I were preparing for the marathon – my posture straightened. Running saves men from the tummy … And I want Yekaterinburg residents to be healthy and beautiful!

This summer I was vacationing in Sochi. Every year the service at Russian resorts is getting better and better. Among other things, there is a lot of sports entertainment: this year I got on a water scooter for the first time. I liked it so much that I started skating every day – it really tightens all the muscles. We also rode a bike every day. In general, we improved our shape every day!

– I run a marathon to support Yulia Mikhalkova, my friend. But after all that we had experienced, we decided that we would continue training. We were delighted with the energy of the event: the older generation, the children, and the mother with the stroller ran with us, there was even a man without one leg with his hands broken in blood from calluses …

I am very glad that many children came to the start – a healthy nation is growing up, motivated to win. When I ran, I looked around – so many interesting people and each could be considered separately. To be honest, at some point I even got goosebumps!

The girls and I began to prepare for the marathon two weeks before the marathon. Every evening we met and ran along the Plotinka. Passers-by reacted very well: it came to applause! Julia always responds to requests to take a photo, give an autograph or just talk – she values ​​people’s love. And we had a rest during these intervals (laughs). People began to write on Instagram and in the mail – they praised us and asked if it was possible to join our run.

I think as long as the weather permits, we will continue to run in our free time. Sports do not take up much time – instead of lying on the couch in front of the TV, you can devote 40-50 minutes to running. In addition, we run through the historical, beautiful places of Yekaterinburg. Perhaps in the future we will start organizing joint mass runs without waiting for the next marathon. And next year we will be able to swing a longer distance!

– I do volleyball, jogging – just for the soul. I like the process itself, and also inspires such a huge number of positive people. And the organization is at the highest level: both water and food – everything is there. I ran for the first time, so I decided to try myself at a distance of 3 km. But now I’m a little sorry – I’m not tired. Next time I will definitely run 10 km, because I want to experience these sensations when you run to the finish line with “tongue on shoulder”. Initially, I thought that only those who start preparing for a long time, around spring, run long distances. First, they study in the gym, then go out into the street, into the park. And I didn’t prepare.

There were so many people at the start that some guys joked: “We haven’t started yet, and the first rows have probably already finished!”. I ran with a friend, during the marathon we missed each other, but we finished together.

– “Europe-Asia” is a marathon from which I started running my half marathons in 2015. My last year’s result was 1 hour 55 minutes. Thanks to a year of training, I improved it to 1:35. The developed strategy helped: the first 5 km I run very slowly – everyone is overtaking me. Here it is important to psychologically get together and not rush after everyone. You are already running faster for the next five kilometers. And the last 10 – at an accelerated pace.

But I am still not completely satisfied with myself: it was stuffy, the distance was hard, there was little water – it was taken apart by those who ran in front. But still, I plan to take part in it every year and improve my performance.

My aunt Irina, who came from Kazakhstan specifically for the marathon, ran with me. She is 55 years old and I am very proud of her. She says that it was worth covering such a distance for the sake of such emotions, especially the adrenaline that you experience at the finish!

– I came to Yekaterinburg for the Europe-Asia marathon for the second time from Togliatti. Last year came the second, this year it took the third place. I run professionally and I think that “Europe-Asia” is not an easy walk, but a harsh race for people with willpower and character. The track is rough – there are many sharp climbs plus the heat. But we really like going to Yekaterinburg: the organization is at the European level, in no way inferior to international starts, much better than in the last race. The weather is also pleasing, and also a beautiful city, cheerful people – it’s a pleasure to run. I think it would be nice to have such races every year – your city has everything you need for this.

It got very hot after the first 15 km! The first half of the route I ran with my friends, but I was already running alone. They, of course, stayed within sight, which helped a lot. At the end of the marathon, I ran after one girl, pulled after her, accelerated.

– I ran 3 km, but all my preparation is just a gym. I did not specially prepare for the marathon, as I found out about it quite by accident, and only managed to run twice. Next year I will also run, just start preparing in advance to cover 10 km.

I will also call my friends to introduce them to running: you start doing it yourself, and then your environment “pulls up”. Outdoor activities are much better than drinking alcohol!

A man and a woman of about 60 years old were running next to me, and they had so much energy and strength! And looking at a man with disabilities who also ran, you realize that you can run 3 km and even more!

– I’ve been running for two years now, going to the open trainings of the Adidas runclub running club. This is my third half marathon. The first one was in Moscow – there it is perceived as a real holiday. There was more support, and it was easier to run from it.

It was not easy today, but still not stressful. When you look at other people running, you don’t want to stop. You run for the emotions, the euphoria that you will experience in the end. Running also disciplines me.

When I run, I try to completely clear my head, run and listen to my breathing. If you think that you feel bad, you will run slower or stop altogether. Even while running, you can look at people: everyone runs in different ways – someone with a smile on their face, someone is serious, someone is relaxed, and someone is laughing and talking.

The first 15 kilometers I ran very easily. Then my legs and joints began to ache – I started to run more slowly. Closer to the finish line, a second wind opened, and I accelerated. And the last 300 meters ran with all her might to the joyful shouts of friends!

– As a child I was involved in athletics, but I didn’t like running and always skipped it. Now I have a sedentary job, and at some point I wanted to be active. And running is the most affordable! About a year ago, I took my first run in the park. But I soon realized that I wanted to study more seriously, with a coach. Then on social networks I came across a group of the running club Adidas runclub. I came to training in the Green Grove park and stayed with the guys.

I used to run short distances, and half marathon – for the first time. I thought: if I can run 15 km, then I will try 21 – besides, if you get your foot together or you just get very tired, then you can get off. But the run was fun and easy – the cheerleading team and the applause from the audience helped. When we ran along Metallurgov Street, there were two directions – those who had already turned around, and those who had not yet reached. At this turn one could meet acquaintances, give them “five”, cheer each other up. When someone says, “Come on! Forward! “, As if wings grow behind your back.

I ran and admired the city. You will never again look at historical monuments from this angle – after all, the traffic of vehicles was closed for us. It is also very interesting that the race was on different streets. Because there is no shadow on Lenin Avenue, but on Yeltsin it was already possible to freshen up a little.

Next year I want to run the half marathon again, but only to improve my results. A full marathon is still a separate universe for me. But I hope that this summit will be taken too!

Svetlana:

– I am not a professional, but I have been fond of running since I was 12-13 years old. I used to go to athletics and cross-country skiing. Then I entered college, gave up sports, but I still ride a bike, snowboard, ski a lot …

This is my first time participating in a marathon. I run 5 km every day, but I was afraid to swing 10 km. But the next year is a must. My friend Natasha and I immediately agreed that we would not adapt to each other, but we ran at the same pace. It was she who suggested to take part in “Europe-Asia”. But I did not resist at all – I wanted to test myself, I could check it or not.

Natalia:

– I have been skiing since I was 3 years old, I used to participate in small competitions and races. I can’t imagine my life without sports, and at some point I decided to go jogging in order to diversify my sports hobbies. I love the process of running, in the process I listen to the world around me – I never practice with headphones.

In the race it was unusual that at first there was paving stone – one sensation to the feet, then – asphalt. Before the marathon, Sveta and I added strength exercises to our training a month before the marathon. And the sensations from running are now different – endurance has developed.

– I try to participate in all marathons that take place in Russia. There are already three of them on my account. We ran together with my husband Aydar: only he was 42 km, and I – 21. I try to run 7-10 km three times a week.

My husband is engaged in triathlon, it was thanks to him that I started running. Once he invited me to a training session, I agreed, and for the third year now I have been training with him.

At the very beginning, I give myself the instruction that I should run calmly, without any injuries, and when it becomes completely unbearable, I say to myself: “I will run! Everything will be fine!”. It helps. The support of the fans also stimulates.

It was very difficult at the end of the marathon, I even walked one kilometer on foot. But those who ran to meet us encouraged us: “Come on faster!” After crossing the finish line, I burst into tears from emotional stress. The people are also applauding – this is a very emotional moment.