Everything is ready for the marathon, Nords said, adding that a record-high number of people – around 37,500 runners from 70 countries – are taking part in the mass running event this year. Last year, the marathon drew more than 33,000 participants from 70 countries.
Over 2,000 athletes have registered for the classical 42-kilometer distance and around 7,000 participants will be running the half-marathon.
The number of foreign athletes participating in the Riga Marathon has also increased, from roughly 3,800 last year to approximately 4,500 this year. With the Riga Marathon gaining popularity, the number of countries represented by the runners has been growing as well, and the field of elite athletes is getting better each year, said Nords.
The prize fund of this year’s competition is also the largest yet – €50,000 of the €75,000 prize money will be distributed among the five fastest finishers in the marathon distances.
The Rīga Marathon takes place May 20. Traffic will be severely restricted in central Rīga starting May 19.
