MINSK, 13 September (BelTA) – The Belarusian capital played host to the Minsk Half Marathon 2021 which has the Road Race Label from the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF). A total of 10,000 people, both national and foreign sports enthusiasts and athletes, took part in the event, BelTA has learned.
In the previous years, the marathon was the most mass sports event in Belarus, gathering up to 40,000 participants. This year, however, the situation with the coronavirus necessitated some changes and the organizers decided to limit the number of those who can enter the race. Only 10,000 people could hit the central avenues of Minsk. The organizers also asked runners to wear masks at the start of the races. It was possible to remove masks as soon as the distance of 1.5m was reached between the runners.
The organizers developed a racebook which included all the information about the Minsk Half Marathon. The racebook was available on the account of every registered runner. It provided answers to almost all the key questions that could arise from the participants of the half marathon.
Traditionally the Minsk Half Marathon Dream Team included successful celebrities, artists, presenters, athletes, businessmen, who always find time for sport in their busy schedule. About two weeks ago the team got together again to prepare for the competitions.
The 21.097km and 10.55km races started at 9.00 near the Minsk Palace of Sports. The 5.5km race kicked off at 11.45. Along the route there were 12 musical interactive platforms. The main stage near the Palace of Sports hosted an awards ceremony for the winners of the races. Belarusian pop artists performed there, as well.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic the 2020 Minsk Half Marathon was rescheduled for September 2021. Traffic was partially blocked for the safe movement of athletes during this year's half marathon.
Those, who were not able to enter one of the major sporting events in the country, could participate in an online race from 1 to 12 September. Anyone eager to participate could register on the Minsk Half Marathon website, pay the entry fee, then record the results of their race completed anytime and anywhere using a mobile app, a fitness tracker or a sports watch, and share the results in social networks or mail them to the organizers.
Minsk Half Marathon has been held since 2013. Nearly 40,000 people from different countries took part in the 2019 edition. The event is organized by the Minsk City Hall, the Sports and Tourism Ministry of Belarus, the Belarusian Athletics Federation and the Presidential Sports Club.
