On Sunday, September 15, the Minsk Half Marathon took place as part of the city’s celebration day. As per established tradition, the AsstrA Running Team participated in the Belarusian capital’s premier running event.

New members join the AsstrA Running Team every year. The 2019 Minsk Half Marathon was the first Team event for Procurement Specialist Andrej Kabanov and Analyst Elizaveta Tyabus. Andrej noted the friendly atmosphere of the race and Elizaveta its organizers’ excellent work and attention to detail.

It was Forwarder Sergey Karelin’s second time to participate in the Minsk Half Marathon. Next year he plans to increase his distance to 10.5 km. It was also Information Specialist Anna Kom’s second time to run in the event.

“Participating in this race is an experience full of emotions that words can’t describe. I felt like I was a part of a vast world of movement. Big thanks to the fans who supported the runners with posters, cheers, and music. I was smiling the whole way. I’m glad I shared these amazing emotions with everyone on the AsstrA Running Team,” says Anna Kom.

 

 

Nor was it Treasury Specialist Tatyana Lukyantseva’s or Customer Service Specialist Polina Ruzinova’s first time to run in this event. Tatyana noted that the event’s improved organization, and Polina added that she enjoyed running shoulder-to-shoulder with her colleagues.

As AsstrA Weissrussland Director Oleg Bykov shares:

“This was my 4th Half Marathon. The event, as always, was extremely well organized. The Half Marathon itself is the tip of the iceberg. It was preceded by hard training, for which it was sometimes difficult to find time. But the thought of the race keeps you motivated. If you miss a workout, you won’t run as well.”

 

 

 

Tatyana Tsarik, North and South Europe & CIS Road Freight Transportation Forwarder, continues:

“Sports are an important part of my life. Regular exercise makes a person more resilient, self-disciplined, and stronger of mind.  I run in the evening after work with my favorite music in my headphones to unwind and recharge my energy.

I can’t really describe what it felt like to participate in the Minsk Half Marathon 2019. Being on the same wavelength with 40,000 other runners really gives you an adrenaline burst. Such events bring together a large number of people around one inspiring goal: to live healthy. My personal inspiration was my colleague Natalya Ratkevich, who ran all 21.1 km of the Half Marathon. The AsstrA Running Team’s orange shirts served as beacons in the crowd of runners and motivated everyone to keep up with our best runners.”

Natalya Ratkevich, West and Central Europe & Balkans Road Freight Transportation Forwarder adds:

“The Minsk Half Marathon is not just the country's biggest sporting event. It is also an occasion full of adrenaline, crowds of like-minded people, support, and struggles. For some, it involved the anxiety of a first start or a new distance goal. For others it served as motivation to improve personal records and test oneself. Everyone has their own goal.

I ran all the Half Marathon fully energized. The energy boost from the other runners and the support of the audience and random passers-by helped me set a personal record. Such events create unforgettable emotions and powerful motivation to be better than yesterday.”