CITY TRAIL: no bad conditions for running
The wind, mud and ice on the paths, passing rain and hail, obstacles in the form of fallen trees – in such circumstances competed the athletes who appeared on the routes of CITY TRAIL with Nationale-Nederlanden on the weekend of February 5-6. This is the main feature of cross-country running – each run is different, as conditions are dictated by nature.
The CITY TRAIL series is a competition held at a distance of 5 km. The event is nationwide – runs are organized in Bydgoszcz, Katowice, Lublin, Lodz, Olsztyn, Poznan, Szczecin, Tricity, Warsaw and Wroclaw. Five runs are held in each location over the autumn and winter months. On the first weekend of February, the fourth round of the 2021/2022 edition began in Poznan, Lublin, Szczecin and Lodz. After the end of the season – on April 9 will be organized the first ever nationwide summary of the cycle. The host city of the event will be Bydgoszcz this year.
Time to move on to a summary of the weekend’s struggles.
Poznan
The fastest athletes of Saturday’s competition in Poznań were Łukasz Nowak (Time 15:52), Wiktor Maćkowiak (16:06) i Krzysztof Stefanowicz (16:09). Among women, the victory was won by Patrycja Talar, With a time of 18:31. Second place was won Halina Rasinskaya (19:04), and the third was Aleksandra Bereśniewicz (19:28).
In the general classification of the cycle, the triumphants were absent this time Sebastian Nowicki i Oliwia Wawrzyniak. Both had won the previous three runs, thus securing the final win.
CITY TRAIL Poznań (fot. Andrzej Olszanowski)
Competition in the CITY TRAIL series is also held in age categories, and there are twelve of them – six female and six male. The second place in the general classification in the M50 category is occupied by Edward Królikowski. – I have been running for 20 years. I started my running adventure together with the Marathon in Poznań – I have run all the races held so far – emphasizes the runner. – If I were to compare my current running to that of 20 years ago, the main difference is in recovery – I used to need 2 hours of rest after a race, and today I rest for 3 days. Nevertheless, I train very regularly, as I compete mainly in triathlons, so in addition to running, I swim and bike. And in the past I practiced m.In. judo. I can confidently say that sport is a very important part of my life, and despite the passage of years I do not lack motivation to be active. May the health continue to be good.
CITY TRAIL Poznań (photo. Andrzej Olszanowski)
514 adults took part in the competition. 177 children participated in the children’s – CITY TRAIL Junior race.
Lublin
The fastest competitors of Saturday’s competition in Lublin were Rafał Gontarczyk (time 16:27), Przemysław Szymanowski (17:16) and Pawel Wysocki (17:26).
– I wanted to run faster than a month ago, when I achieved a result of 16:19, but the conditions on the course, the blowing wind and the lack of such excellent competition as on the last run made it a difficult task. All the more I think that the time I obtained – 16:26 – has its value. From the beginning I started strongly and took the lead. The third kilometer was at a similar level to the previous run. I am satisfied. In the near future, perhaps I will start in the hall. My stadium past makes me think that I could still run fast. I had an 8-year break from running. I didn’t think I would ever come back. I led a not very healthy lifestyle and well… I even smoked cigarettes. I shook off the moment my Dad got cancer and together with him I quit this fatal addiction. Unfortunately, Dad passed away, but I returned to the sport for good. Amazing how the body can quickly jump to a certain above-average level. Muscles remember – stressed at the finish line Rafal Gontarczyk.
CITY TRAIL Lublin (photo. CITY TRAIL)
In the general classification of the cycle, the triumpher was absent this time Damian Swierdzewski, who has won three previous runs.
Among women, the victory was on Saturday Dominika Łukasiewicz, with a time of 19:21. The second place was won by Natalia Zych (19:30), and the third was Beata Klimek (20:00). In the lead in the general classification is Dominika, but Natalia still has a chance for the final triumph.
CITY TRAIL Lublin (fot. CITY TRAIL)
233 adults and 61 children took part in the run.
Szczecin
The fastest athletes of the Sunday competition in Szczecin were Milena Sadowska (19:42) Beata Białek (20:08) and Justyna Grzywaczewska (20:24). Among men, the victory was won by Wojciech Piwowarczyk, with a time of 17:09. The second place was won by Piotr Książkiewicz (17:14), and third was Pawel Szymanski (18:10).
CITY TRAIL Szczecin (photo. Jaroslaw Dulny)
CITY TRAIL runs are aimed at people of all levels and with different goals. Some compete against other runners, others are motivated by their own records, and still others run for fun and companionship – as they do Sebastian Prawda, who run in a Viking cap.
– I have four similar caps, I use them only at competitions and while walrushing. I work in Norway, so this is an element taken from Scandinavia, which has somehow become my trademark – emphasized the runner. – I also compete in running competitions in Norway. The most important difference between Polish and Norwegian events is that there the entry fees do not include any gadgets. You just pay to participate in the race. In Poland, such additions are very common – added.
CITY TRAIL Szczecin (photo. Jaroslaw Dulny)
The main run was completed by 312 people. There were 82 participants in the CITY TRAIL runs.
Łódź
The fastest athletes of Sunday’s competition in Lodz were Dominika Wiecha (18:47), Anna Kociak (21:35) and Justyna Chudzik-Warzecha (21:40). For Dominika, Sunday’s victory means winning the Lodz general classification.
– A few years ago, when I started competing in CITY TRAIL, I didn’t even dare dream that in the future I would win the cycle. I am very satisfied. Today I missed some strong racing in the women’s group. Despite the triumph, I plan to run again next month. I will already have absolute mental comfort, because no one will take away my victory. My next target plan is the half-marathon in Wiązowna, where I will try to get closer to my personal record, which is one hour and 23 minutes. On the other hand, I am very excited about the CITY TRAIL Gold run, in which I plan to run. This is a great opportunity to test yourself against the leading Polish female athletes – she said at the finish line Dominika Wiecha.
Among men, his third victory was Grzegorz Petrusiewicz, with a time of 16:57. Thus, Grzegorz became the triumpher of the general classification in Lodz. The second place on Sunday was won by Pawel Kopaczewski (17:21), and the third was Krzysztof Pietrzyk (17:29).
CITY TRAIL Lodz (photo. Sebastian Nowakowski)
The main run was completed by 244 people. The CITY TRAIL runs were attended by 119 participants.
The next CITY TRAIL runs are scheduled for February 12 w Olsztyn and February 13 w Tricity (on the Gdynia route).
CITY TRAIL Lodz (photo. Sebastian Nowakowski)
