The runners from Poland accounted for the largest foreign group among the 13,000 participants of the 11th Vilnius Marathon. The Polish athlete Artur Kern finished the men’s race second in 2:25:56. A team of Polish Embassy staff from Vilnius traditionally also took part in the event – this time round they competed in the marathon relay.
The marathon highlight was the participation of a charity team of runners from Poland called “Spartans for Kids.” With the help of the Polish Embassy and the Polish Institute in Vilnius, the foundation organized a collection of funds for charges of the Children’s Home in Vilnius. Well-known throughout Europe, the team ran the distance of 42 kilometres wearing full Spartan gear. According to Michał Leśniewski, head of the “Spartans for Kids” Foundation, the Spartans presented children with over PLN 7,000 worth of gifts.
The event featured a concert by Bloco Central, a percussion band from Warsaw, which warmed up the athletes with Brazilian rhythms.
The apple booth at the marathon finish line is part of a poster campaign which has been running in Lithuania for the last two weeks to promote Polish food.
To view more photos of the 11th Vilnius Marathon, visit the Facebook profile of the Polish Embassy in Vilnius.
Read more about the “Spartans for Kids” campaign.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs RP Press Office
Photo © Katarzyna Dzierżyńska