Night Run – 2024 in Moscow: route, date, history and records

Do you like night walks in the city? What about jogging? The light of the moon and lanterns will accompany your sporting adventure around the capital as early as August 3. A unique opportunity to run 10 km along the night Moscow is provided by the Running Community.

Registration has closed early and it is impossible to register additionally on the days of the race.

History of the race

This year the race will be held for the 11th time, it has been held annually since 2013, the only exception was 2021. Let’s tell you more about the race, which starts at nightfall.

In 2013 the Night Race was the third in a series of preparatory races of the Moscow Marathon 2013. It started at 23:00, and 1244 participants reached the finish line.

In 2014, the start was moved to 22:30, and the race itself aroused great interest. The limit of places was exhausted on the opening day of registration. The finish line was crossed by 1,698 people.

In 2016 the route of the Night Run for the first time passed along Frunzenskaya and Prechistenskaya embankments with the start and finish in “Luzhniki”. And the number of participants increased significantly – 3,487 athletes reached the finish line.

In 2019, the route passed along the territory of “Luzhniki”, Luzhnetskaya and Frunzenskaya embankments. That year, for the first time in the history of the competition, 6,212 participants ran inside the Grand Sports Arena.

In 2023, 8284 people ran the race. It’s too early to talk about this year’s figures, but all the slots have already been sold out.To make it easier for amateur runners to achieve their goals and set personal bests, in 2024, for the first time in the history of the race, pacesetters from four different running clubs belonging to the Amateur Running Union will take to the start line alongside the participants. It was founded at the beginning of this running season. In addition, the place where the start packets will be handed out will change: it will be located in the building of the Small Sports Arena.

Race director and co-founder of the Running Community

“The most important feature of the Night Run – 2024 is the new finish line location. Now we will finish not near the Lenin monument, but inside the Big Sports Arena, which, of course, will make this moment special for the runners and create a cool energizing atmosphere. For our part, we will try to make a beautiful light and music show: there will be a traditional interactive finish arch, as well as drummers. This race will also be special in terms of the number of participants – the registration ended long before the scheduled dates. Moreover, Luzhniki will host other large-scale events, so our main task will be to ensure maximum comfort and safety for all participants and spectators”.

Records

Over the more than 10-year history of the race, the men’s record has been updated five times and the women’s record six times. At the moment they look like this:

• July 8, 2023 – Dmitry Nedelin, 28.26.
• July 8, 2023 – Dina Alexandrova, 33.02.

Date and time

The race will start on the night of August 3, and will end on the 4th. More details on the schedule below.

Friday, August 2

• 15:00-20:00 – distribution of start packets inside the Small Sports Arena (Moscow, 24 Luzhniki St., page 3).

Saturday, August 3

• 11:00-18:00 – handing out start packets inside the Small Sports Arena;
• 20:30 – opening of the starting camp, the beginning of the locker rooms and luggage rooms;
• 21:40 – warm-up;
• 22:30 – start of the race;
• 23:20 – awarding of winners and prize-winners;
• 00:45 – end of the race.

The participant’s starting package includes: a number with a timing chip, pins, a bracelet and a sticker for the storage room, an LED flashlight. It is possible to additionally purchase a synthetic T-shirt in the style of the race.

Route

If you have long wanted to take the first step in a big running journey, the route of the Night Run will suit you perfectly. After all, it is one of the most comfortable roads. Experienced athletes love it for the opportunity to show a high result on a fast track, and beginners – for the opportunity to overcome their first “ten” in an unusual atmosphere that inspires new achievements and will be remembered for a lifetime.

Such a run will be a unique opportunity to explore the territory of night “Luzhniki”, Luzhnetskaya and Frunzenskaya embankments. During the distance you will be able to admire not only the illumination of the city, but also the building of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the National Defense Control Center of the Russian Federation and Andreyevsky Bridge. It seems that you can’t think of a more perfect plan for Saturday night.

How to pass?

Summer is the most active time for sporting events, including outdoor ones. Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium is happy to host them on its territory. However, due to the large number of events in one place, some details may be changed. In this regard, the organizers have developed ways to pass to different points of the Night Run.

How to get to the Night Run license plate issuance?

From Luzhniki MCC and Sportivnaya metro station:

We recommend to follow the following route: coming from Luzhniki MCC, enter the territory of the sports complex through the central checkpoint (horseshoe). Then go straight to the BSA, and after that turn right. Another option: from the MCC go right along Luzhniki Street, then go through checkpoint No. 3 to the Alley of Glory at the Small Sports Arena.

From Vorobyovy Gory metro station:

Exit Vorobyovy Gory metro station towards the Luzhniki OC. After passing through the checkpoint you will see the aqua complex in front of you. Go around it on the right, and then go around the Central Square as shown on the diagram. Please note: this route is longer than the recommended one.

How to get to the start of the Night Run?

From the Luzhniki MCC and Sportivnaya metro station:

We recommend to follow this route: coming from Luzhniki MCC, enter the territory of the sports complex through the central checkpoint (horseshoe). Then go straight to the BSA, and then turn right. Another option: from the MCC go right along Luzhniki Street, then go through checkpoint No. 3 along the Alley of Glory at the Small Sports Arena. You can pass through checkpoint No. 3 until 22:00. Then you will have to pass through the territory of the forum-festival “Moscow 2030”.

Please note! It is impossible to use parking lots or drive to the territory of Luzhniki on the day of the competition.

From Vorobyovy Gory metro station:

Exit the subway in the direction of OK “Luzhniki”. After passing through the checkpoint you will see the aqua complex in front of you. Go around it on the right, and then go around the Central Square as shown on the scheme. Please note: this route is longer than the recommended one.

How to go from the start to the finish of the Night Run?

For those who haven’t dared to run 10 km yet, but really want to support their friends and relatives, there are comfortable places on the stands. To get to them from the start you need to go along the BSA to the staircase #18. Entrance to the stands is free, it will be limited only when the stands available to us are full.

How to go from the finish line to the exit from Luzhniki?

We recommend to leave the territory of Luzhniki through the central checkpoint (horseshoe) – this way you will be able to get out in the direction of the Luzhniki MCC and Sportivnaya metro station.

How does the race take place?

Run director and co-founder of the Running Community

“The organization of starts at night has a number of peculiarities, and it is much more complicated. First of all, it is necessary to adhere to the law on silence, which imposes certain requirements on the organizers. It is more difficult to organize a program for fans, music show and so on”.

The start of the race is scheduled for 22:30, it will be held in seven streams (clusters), which are named with Latin letters (A, B, C, D and so on). The cluster is indicated on the start number. All you have to do is to find the letter pointers that match it, by which you can get to yours.

You can start the race from the cluster indicated on your number or from a later cluster. Participants starting from the earlier cluster will be disqualified. Your personal time will start only after you cross the start line and will end when you have covered 10 km and crossed the finish line.

It’s not just a run – it’s a real open-air running party. Incendiary music, a bright light show and, of course, participants who light up the city and each other with their energy make this night bright and memorable every year.

Do not forget that you are not the only one running this distance, treat other participants with understanding. We recommend that you do not wear headphones, this will allow you not to miss warnings from other runners and judges. It is forbidden to use any mechanical means of transportation on the course, including scooters, rollerblades, skateboards. Running with baby strollers and animals is also prohibited.

If you feel that your condition has deteriorated, be sure to contact the medical staff, race organizers and volunteers. They will give you the help you need.

When you reach the finish corridor, do not stop at the line, keep moving forward. This will keep the flow of runners moving. At the end of the race, you can refresh yourself with a bottle of water.

Results

We have already mentioned that each participant receives a number with a special timing chip, it is they who will help the judges at the finish line to fix the result. Therefore, the number should be treated carefully, you should not bend and crumple it, for convenience fix it on your chest. Also for accuracy will be used video fixation system.

Your personal best will be measured when you cross the start and finish lines. A provisional time will be sent to your email or phone number. Final results will be posted on the website.

Rewarding

For the first time in the history of the race, every participant who crosses the finish line will receive a commemorative medal, not a badge as in previous years. Special awards will go to the first five women and five men to do so. The result is calculated on the basis of absolute superiority regardless of the starting cluster.