GRODNO, 12 July (BelTA) – Athletes from 11 countries will run a transboundary marathon from Lithuanian Druskininkai to Belarusian Grodno on 15 July, representatives of the Sport and Tourism Office of the Grodno Oblast Executive Committee told BelTA.
Over 120 athletes from Belarus, Poland, Lithuania, Russia, Denmark, Estonia, Netherlands, UK, France, Armenia, and USA have submitted their applications for participation in the marathon. BelTA has been told that the geography of participants had been favorably influenced by the visa-free travel program in effect in Grodno District.
The marathon will begin in Druskininkai's central square at 8:00. The finish line will be located in the Neman Stadium in Grodno. The distance between the two places is 42.195km. The runners will be able to cross the border without stopping.
Meals will be available in several locations along the route. The so-called water curtain will be arranged near the agrotown of Gozha. Motorists are advised to keep in mind that vehicle traffic will be restricted on the road from the border to Grodno and in Gorkogo Street and Grandichskaya Street in Grodno in the morning on 15 July. Traffic will be partially restricted at the Belarusian-Lithuanian border checkpoint Privalka from 8:30 till 11:00.
Apart from that, the marathon will become one of the stages of the Grodno Running League. Results of all the ratings-boosting races of the region will be combined into one total this year: top scorers will be entitled to an impressive prize.
It will be the eighth time the international marathon has connected Lithuanian Druskininkai and Belarusian Grodno. Representatives of the Grodno Oblast administration told BelTA that the marathon is popular with professionals and amateurs. It is also valuable for marathon collectors since it is the only European marathon, which route is located in two countries.
