Pleasant weather and a good mood accompanied those who decided to take part in the Beauty Run dedicated to International Women’s Day. The most active and athletic women of all ages decided to run the 5km distance near the National Library of Belarus. BelTA correspondents found out how they prepared for this day and whether sport inspires them to new endeavors.
Runners from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, and China took part in the race. The youngest runner was 12 years old and the oldest runner was 92 years old. A total of 3,000 women participated, with about 500 taking part in the race online. Those who were unable to come to the capital could run the distance at home within a certain time frame, then send their running stats from their gadgets and receive medals.
The sport event was organized by the Sport Ministry, the Minsk City Executive Committee, and the Belarusian Athletics Federation. The general partner was the Lady club of Belarusbank. Membership in the Lady club comes with a bunch of perks and great deals. For example, it allows the holder to receive a 3% cashback when paying with a beauty and care card as well as in the bank’s partner stores, use the concierge service, the “Full” M-banking service package, and unique offers from Belarusbank and Visa, and apply for other bank products at a discount or on special terms. The card is designed for bright, determined, and unique individuals.
The positive mood of the participants was supported by bright costumes, with almost everyone wearing pink skirts. At the same time everyone chose their own outfit. Colorful T-shirts and vests, comfortable sneakers, multicolored bandanas and white bows, even unusual wigs. Some preferred time-tested sportswear while others chose cosplay costumes. According to regular viewers, this year saw the greatest variety of outfits.
Yevgeny Zalesky, Head of the Central Office for Planning and Organizational Work of the Sport Ministry, addressed the participants and wished them good mood, well-being, health, happiness, success in all their endeavors, and the constant support of their loved ones.
The winner of the race, Yekaterina Korneyenko, tried to focus and get in the right frame of mind for victory. “On the whole, I ran well but at the end I worked hard for the result. Thank you to everyone who organized this event. The wonderful spring weather helped us,” she said. At the finish line, she was greeted with a medal and flowers just like the other participants.
The swimming master Olga Marmyl has not participated in the Beauty Run since 2020, but this year she has decided to support our brave and confident girls. “It’s great that not only professional athletes are participating, but also those whose lives are not connected with sport in any way. For example, my mother is running here. I intrigued her with my performances. This is why there are many running enthusiasts here, and it gives me joy. It’s good competition,” emphasized the participant, noting that she herself is an amateur runner.
Kseniya Selivonenko regularly participates in half marathons (21km) held in Belarus. “I chose such a bright outfit because I really love the pink color. I added it to black and now I look like a tulip. It’s great that so many beautiful girls have gathered here to test their strength,” added the participant.
Her biggest fans came to support her: her husband and a 10-month-old daughter. “I am very happy that they are here. My family helps me to be confident, to cope with difficulties, to move forward. They are one of my main motivations to strive for new heights,” admitted Yekaterina Selivonenko. This is why she started preparing for this race about a month ago, and she is hardly nervous today.
Nina Koval, an international master of sports in the 100km run, has turned 60 this year, but age has never been an obstacle for her. She is a regular participant and winner of various competitions. “Running is my life. When I was 15, I came to Minsk, enrolled in a medical school, and started skiing, and since I was 17 I have been actively involved in running. I have been running for 47 years and have never been sick. I used to be on the Belarusian national team, but now I run for myself. My husband and daughter also run. If I wake up and don’t go for a run, then I don’t get enough endorphins, so every day I get up at 6:20 and repeat my ritual,” Nina Koval admitted.
In her words, it is nice to see so many athletic women who are motivated to challenge themselves in the capital city. “I am overwhelmed with emotions thanks to the good weather and wonderful competition. I am very happy and have received a boost of energy for the week ahead,” the participant summed it up.
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