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Images © Adam Hawalej

Breslau (Wroclaw), a city with an over 1000-year history and unique

architecture from many epochs, has a lot to offer, not only for those

interested in running, Breslau is easy to reach from Berlin—just 4 or 5

hours on the highway.

The centre and heart of the city is the market square. By May 6, 1945, the

“Citadel Breslau“ was almost completely destroyed, but the Polish

restorers successfully restored it, and with the bourgeois houses at Ring/Rynek

at the historical city hall, they have created a magnificent backdrop.

On the evening before the 21st Breslau Marathon, there was a lot going on

– the restaurants, bars and cafes were packed. With 700,000 inhabitants,

of which about 70,000 are students who attend the world famous and over

300-year-old “Leopoldina“-Universität, the spectators were

young and looking for excitement. During the Cold War, it was the centre of the

freedom movement “Solidarnosc“. At the same time as the marathon

there was a meeting of “AIMS“ (Association of International

Marathon and Road Races) in Breslau. The members of the Board of Directors and

the president Hiroaki Chosa (JPN) at their head met for the race and discussed

the problems and the development of worldwide running. AIMS General Secretary

Hugh Jones (former London-Marthon winner) took part at the race on Sunday and

ran under 2:40:00.

Race Director Marek

Danielak and his organisational team had everything under control and

well-organised for the two-day event with an extensive supporting program. On

Sunday, April 26, about 3,000 youth participated with great enthusiasm in races

of different lenghts. The award ceremonies were celebrated on the market square

with numerous and large trophies.

The race directors of the major marathon races in Australia, Japan, USA and

Europe carried out the award ceremonies with and for the young athletes. The

real,- BERLIN-MARATHON, as Breslaus neighbouring race, played a significant

role.

The marathon and half marathon on Sunday—with start and finish on the

scenic market square—were started at 9:00 a.m. sharp by the mayor, Rafal

Dutkiewicz, who, by the way, speaks excellent German. 983 participants from 23

countries marked a new record for this race. The weather reports predicted

rain, but it remained dry, and the temperatures were good for running. One

international novelty was the “1st World Marathon and Half Marathon

Championship of Members of Parliament“. About a dozen participants from

several countries followed the call to participate.

The long course in figure-eight form through the city centre and the outer

districts brought the half marathon runners back to the finish on the market

square after one round, while the marathon runners had to add on a second

round.

The favourite of the marathon, the Kenyan Kennedy Momanyi with the race

number 1, started out leading the 9-man elite group, but came into difficulties

at about the 15 km mark and ended up only 11th in 2:29:48.

The first 5 runners came through the finish close together with times under

2:18. The road conditions were not optimal for running. The course, marked off

and secured by the police, offered everything from cobblestones and potholes to

excellent bitumen surfaces.

Women are still underrepresented in running in Poland, but the times of the

best women runners were nonetheless quite convincing. Men:

1. Mykhayl Iveruk UKR 2:17:18

2. Krzystof Przybyla POL 2:17:22

3. Anatoli Zeruk UKR 2:17:29

4. Dariusz Klein POL 2:17:43

5. Adam Dobrzynki POL 2:17:51

6. Igor Zhavoronok BLR 2:18:07

Women:

1. Wioletta Uryga POL 2:39:27

2. Natalya Kravets BLR 2:40:20

3. Tetyana Buloszjenko UKR 2:42:24

More information: www.mw.com.pl

Horst Milde