On the start, attention, march! 5 reasons to participate in the White Nights Marathon

This year the competition is held for the 33rd time. The White Nights Marathon is not just a race to finish first and win a medal. It is a unique sports festival with a rich history and established traditions. The marathon started in 1990 – at that time St. Petersburg was still called Leningrad. The solemn start was given exactly at midnight on June 23-24. The winner of the race at a distance of 42.2 kilometers was Leonid Tikhonov (by the way, twice champion of France in mountain running), and for women the first finisher was the famous track and field athlete Valentina Lyakhova. Now Valentina is the champion of Europe and the world in super marathon, the athlete was a torchbearer at the Moscow and Sochi Olympics. So we can safely say that at the White Nights Marathon real sports stars light up!

By the way, until 2019, the marathon was held only four times at night. In those days, the city was still not sufficiently illuminated, so the runners had difficulties. Usually the races started on Sunday at eight in the morning. However, the summer heat of June, breaking by noon, also proved to be a serious obstacle and inconvenience for the athletes. In 2020 and 2021, organizers had to take a break due to the lockdown. But in 2022, the marathon returned in its classic, pristine form.

In its 33 years of existence, the marathon has undergone several changes, but it has never changed its tradition of inspiring people to win. Thousands of runners took part in the races and dozens of personal records were set. Thus, in 2003, Nikolai Kerimov overcame 42.2 kilometers in a record 2:11.45, thus setting a historical record of the competition. The new time record holder in 2023 was Alexey Reunkov, a participant of the Olympic Games – 2012, winner of the European Cup in the marathon in the team classification. His finishing time is 2:13.35. The record holder among women is Luiza Dmitrieva, last year she ran the main marathon in 2:29.48.

The White Nights Marathon traditionally has two distances: 42 km 195 m, which takes six hours to cover, and 10 km with a limit of 1.5 hours. There is also a relay format.

Every year one of the main races of the country becomes bigger, more spectacular and more exciting. And there are more and more reasons to take part in the competition or become a spectator. We have collected the most compelling reasons to visit the White Nights Marathon.

Reason 1. To enjoy the sights of one of the most beautiful cities in the world – St. Petersburg

This year’s marathon route will again be linear – that is, the start and finish will be located in different places. Athletes can try their hand at two distances of their choice: a 10 km race and the most difficult but brightest distance – 42.2 km. Participants will be able to run the marathon distance not only individually, but also as part of a relay team. Also this year, for the first time, an open student relay race will be held as part of the marathon. All starting points will be located on Palace Square, but the start of the race for different distances will be at different times. At 21:00 the 10 km race will start, and an hour later, at 22:00 – the marathon and relay races. Finish athletes near the monument “Bronze Horseman” on Senate Square.

Kazan Cathedral, Peter and Paul Fortress, Rostral Columns, Admiralty and St. Isaac’s Cathedral – such beautiful views will open to all participants of the marathon.

Reason 2. Win cool prizes

This year Winline became the general partner of the race and prepared a huge number of activities and prizes for all participants. Already on June 28, the Winline-zone will start its work at the sports exhibition of the marathon, located in the KSC “Arena”, where everyone will be able to try their luck and win gifts.

On the opening day of the sports festival there will be four drawings of gifts from Winline, and on June 29 the marathon of gifts will continue! A series of three drawings of great prizes will be waiting for the participants.

Special running equipment, sports nutrition, a subscription to a sports massage, a certificate for healthy food delivery, a certificate for making individual sports insoles – and also two super prizes: a vacation in the hotel “Point on the map” and an iPhone 15.

To take part in the drawing, you need to activate a freebet with Winline Girls and don’t miss the announcements in the Winline zone – the prizes will be drawn every two hours!

There will also be a master of transfer tattoos in the Winline partner zone at the sports exhibition.

Reason 3. To get a unique engraving on your medal

At the finish line, all participants who have kept within the allotted limit will receive a commemorative medal inspired by the Northern Capital. After overcoming their distance, everyone will be able to make a free engraving in the Winline-zone in the race’s starting town on Palace Square. There are only two conditions: you need to get a free engraving coupon at the sports exhibition or in the start zone and have the Winline app in your smartphone.

Reason 4. Take gorgeous photos as a souvenir

Winline will set up a real collage workshop in the finish town near the “Bronze Horseman” monument! Fans will be able to make posters right on the spot and cheer their favorite runners with words of support. After the finish corridor there will be a photo zone where you can make a joint photo as a souvenir and capture the joyful emotions.

By the way, the Winline photo zone at the finish line is made in the form of a pedestal. And it doesn’t matter whether you won the medal of the marathon champion or not – with Winline you are always the first. And there will be photographic proof!

Reason 5. It’s spectacular, fun and stylish!

The White Nights race gathers thousands of athletes, fans and simply passionate fans of running. In recent years, the race has turned into a stylish sports party that lasts all night until dawn. Bright paraphernalia, colorful posters, jubilant support team with ratchets, buzzers and bells, light illumination – all this from year to year attracts more and more participants. And additional activities, prize drawings and gifts make the holiday even more exciting. And how can we do without musical accompaniment, which raises the sporting spirit and pushes to victory. Closer to the finish line, on the Strelka Vasilyevsky Island near the Rostral Column, there will be a Winline Dj who will energize runners and marathon spectators with his sets.

Come to the White Nights Marathon – take part in the race, cheer for your favorite runners and take part in the prize draw!

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