The New Year's Day race at the Skaryszewski Park in Warsaw (Poland) was an absolutely magical event. This was the first time that we participated in this run through the … MORE
The New Year’s Day race at the Skaryszewski Park in Warsaw (Poland) was an absolutely magical event. This was the first time that we participated in this run through the historic park at the distance of 5.400 km (that is 5km and 400 meters). Skaryszewski Park is known as the most beautiful park in Poland and one of three most beautiful parks in Europe, so I was particularly excited about starting the New Year and the new decade in this special venue. It was really nice to see some people dressed up for the fancy costume contest and also very motivated furry runners. There was even a team of two people dressed in Santa costumes who had a dog in a matching Santa costume. The race was preceded by a dynamic warmup which was much needed and appreciated because of the icy cold wind. The route was a picturesque, wide alley with a view of a canal shaped pond and some sculptures in the distance. Even in winter the majesty and beauty of the place could be sensed. I thoroughly enjoyed this race also for another reason, namely the class of the participants. While quite a few people wore costumes, once the race started everyone was focused on… running! It may seem self-explanatory, but in quite a few running events in which I have participated, there were people who would abruptly stop in the middle of the path to take a selfie, without any consideration for the runners approaching from behind. I don’t mind people having a good time as long as it doesn’t affect other participants. Here, at the park the atmosphere was cheerful, friendly, respectful, without people crushing into each other because someone absolutely had to take that selfie. The runners at this New Year’s Day were an inspiration to me.
After the race there was split pea soup in two versions: traditional with meat and a vegetarian one which of course I was happy to see. There was also hot tea sweetened and unsweetened. I could not have imagined anything better than hot tea on that icy cold afternoon. The soups and tea were served in cardboard bowls and cups as opposed to plastic. I cringe at the heaps of plastic waste at running events – or anywhere else for that matter. The organization of this event was absolutely superb. There were finisher medals with snowflakes on them, awards for overall results – no age groups – and for costumes. My husband and I wore similar Santa outfits and we each got a sweet prize from the sponsors: cookies, energy bars and jars of absolutely delicious buckwheat honey. All in all, I could not have imagined a better way of welcoming the New Year and decade than at this most memorable event.
Please login to reply to this review.
Welcome to the New Year.
The New Year's Day race at the Skaryszewski Park in Warsaw (Poland) was an absolutely magical event. This was the first time that we participated in this run through the … MORE
The New Year’s Day race at the Skaryszewski Park in Warsaw (Poland) was an absolutely magical event. This was the first time that we participated in this run through the historic park at the distance of 5.400 km (that is 5km and 400 meters). Skaryszewski Park is known as the most beautiful park in Poland and one of three most beautiful parks in Europe, so I was particularly excited about starting the New Year and the new decade in this special venue. It was really nice to see some people dressed up for the fancy costume contest and also very motivated furry runners. There was even a team of two people dressed in Santa costumes who had a dog in a matching Santa costume. The race was preceded by a dynamic warmup which was much needed and appreciated because of the icy cold wind. The route was a picturesque, wide alley with a view of a canal shaped pond and some sculptures in the distance. Even in winter the majesty and beauty of the place could be sensed. I thoroughly enjoyed this race also for another reason, namely the class of the participants. While quite a few people wore costumes, once the race started everyone was focused on… running! It may seem self-explanatory, but in quite a few running events in which I have participated, there were people who would abruptly stop in the middle of the path to take a selfie, without any consideration for the runners approaching from behind. I don’t mind people having a good time as long as it doesn’t affect other participants. Here, at the park the atmosphere was cheerful, friendly, respectful, without people crushing into each other because someone absolutely had to take that selfie. The runners at this New Year’s Day were an inspiration to me.
After the race there was split pea soup in two versions: traditional with meat and a vegetarian one which of course I was happy to see. There was also hot tea sweetened and unsweetened. I could not have imagined anything better than hot tea on that icy cold afternoon. The soups and tea were served in cardboard bowls and cups as opposed to plastic. I cringe at the heaps of plastic waste at running events – or anywhere else for that matter. The organization of this event was absolutely superb. There were finisher medals with snowflakes on them, awards for overall results – no age groups – and for costumes. My husband and I wore similar Santa outfits and we each got a sweet prize from the sponsors: cookies, energy bars and jars of absolutely delicious buckwheat honey. All in all, I could not have imagined a better way of welcoming the New Year and decade than at this most memorable event.