The energy of a pleasant summer evening. Warsaw after sunset. Lights, music and … quick route of the 6th 4F Praski Half Marathon, which may be battled by nine thousand participants. The leading national long-distance runners are preparing for the start, including Polish record-holder in the marathon Henryk Szost, and multiple medalist of the national half-marathon championships Mariusz Giżyński.
Once again, the route of our race will lead through the main arteries of Praga Południe. On Saturday evening, at 8.30 pm, 4F Praski Half Marathon will take off from the PGE Narodowy into al. Zieleniecka, and then towards the colorfully lit and well-supplied in audio systems al. Waszyngtona. The route will lead in both directions of the well-known avenue, and a colorful wave of runners will go further to Saska Kępa to run through the wide streets of Gocław to the attractive sounds of Wał Miedzeszyński. Their legs will carry them to the rhythm of the music towards the finish line located next to the PGE National Stadium. It should be an unforgettable experience – Warsaw’s Praga in the evening, refreshing sunset aura, perfect for running and flat route with amazing musical accompaniament. It also should be quick, and one of runners counting on a good result is Szost.
“I’m preparing for a good run, I’m aiming for 1:03.00 result. My abilities are is growing, and I will devote entire August to preparations and training in Szklarska Poręba. 4F Praski Half Marathon will be my last test before the Military World Games, which this year will be held in China”, said the titled athlete, who in 2012 in Otsu, Japan, established the current Polish record in the marathon (2:07.39).
In last year’s edition, Szost triumphed in the 4F Praska Five accompanying the half-marathon – he ran up to the finish line of 5 km side-to-side with Artur Kozłowski.
“After the marathon competition in the European championships, this race was supposed to be +fun run+, but … it turned out a little differently. Great route, good atmosphere, so after the starter shot it was hard to stop myself and run calmly. The adrenaline carried us forward, we got such a healthy competition”- said Kozłowski. This year he will also want to take advantage of the opportunity for a good performance in the main race, held on an attested route perfect for breaking life records.
And everything indicates good results, because the evening character of the event is a guarantee of perfect running weather. While it is difficult to predict the spring aura, the end of August is more predictable.
“We have thoroughly analyzed the weather median of the last weekend of holidays from the past 10 years. It clearly indicates that … thanks to the appropriate temperature and almost windless weather, the last Saturday of August is the perfect time to beat running race life records” – explains the general director of the event, Sławomir Szczęsny.
At the start of this year’s half-marathon at 8.30 pm, the temperature should oscillate around 15-17 Celsius degrees, and at midnight, when the last participant will reach the finish line, we can expect approx. 19-24 Celsius degrees and minimal wind of 1-2 km/h. Can there be better conditions on a fast and flat route? Probably not.
Registration for both races is ongoing.