Victories at the Valga Valka City Run went to Latvia, Italy, and Estonia
Photo: Särivus
On Sunday, April 26, the Rimi Estonia City Runs series kicked off at the Valga Valka City Run. Throughout the day, the Valga Puu children’s races, as well as the 5 km and 10 km distances, took place. The event was powered by Utilitas.
In the women’s 5 km race, Latvian Olympic athlete Agate Caune claimed first place with a time of 00:17:05. Her result was nearly a minute slower than the course record she set two years ago. “The course was very windy, so it required a tactical approach. I tried to stay behind someone the whole time,” explained the Latvian athlete. “Nevertheless, I enjoyed the race and was happy to be back here,” said Caune.
Caune’s main goal this season is the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen in September.
Second place in the women’s 5 km went to Agate’s sister Asnate Caune with a time of 00:18:44, and third place to Bianka Uhtjärv with 00:19:23. In the three editions of the race so far, the women’s 5 km title has not yet gone to Estonia.
In the men’s 5 km race, victory also went to Latvia. Roberts Glazers broke last year’s course record set by Indrek Tobreluts by three seconds, finishing in 00:15:24. He was followed by Latvian runner Agnis Stulpinskis with a time of 00:17:10, while Markus Ritval took third place with 00:17:30.
In the 10 km race, victory went to Italy. University of Tartu doctoral student Michele Donnini crossed the finish line in 00:32:44. Riho Kirsipuu finished second (00:33:20), and Keijo Järve took third place (00:34:13).
In the women’s 10 km race, Minna Kelk won with a time of 00:38:31. After the race, Kelk said she really liked the course: “The course was very varied, and since the wind was strong, it was nice that there were no long straight sections.”
Second place in the same distance went to Finnish runner Juliet Lehtonen (00:39:48), and third place to Maria Veskla(00:40:43).
Nearly 1,300 participants registered for the event, and additional energy was brought by Utilitas. The next Triathlon Academy event will take place in Tõrva, where the triathlon season will be opened. The next running competition will be held again on September 26–27, when the 44th Viking Window Paide–Türi People’s Run takes place.
The full Triatloniakadeemia calendar is available at triatloniakadeemia.ee.
Preliminary results of the Valga Valka City Run: https://www.racetecresults.com/results.aspx?CId=16573&RId=635
