On the festive day of March 11 in Jonava, the traditional “Obelisk for A. Kulviečius – Jonava” run, which was already the 34th, was held to celebrate the day of the restoration of Lithuania’s Independence.
Olympians Remigijus Kančys and Vaida Žūsinaitė-Nekriošienė won the main distance of 15 km.
Although the weather conditions were not kind, almost 700 people tested their strength in distances of 15 or 2 km. At the same time, this competition was the third stage of the Lithuanian Running Cup (LBT).
R. Kančys completed the course from the obelisk to A. Kulviečius to the center of Jonava in 47 minutes. 58.9 sec. Lukas Tarasevičius (48.14.7) and Aurimas Rimkus (48.15.8) were not far behind him.
“It was not the most difficult course, maybe a little more difficult only in the last 2 km, because there is a mountain and a lot of turns. I’m glad that the weather was kind to us today, unlike the day before. Since it had snowed a lot before, I had put several pairs of shoes in the car, because I didn’t know which ones I would need to run with until the last moment. It’s great that there was no shortage of capable runners in Jonava and the fight was all the way to the end”, said R. Kanchys.
V. Žūsinaitė-Nekriošienė finished in 53 minutes. 46.9 sec. Another well-known runner, Loreta Kančytė, was second among women (54.34.7), Gitana Akmanavičiūtė was third (57.16.5). V. Žūsinaitė-Nekriošienė repeated last year’s success in this race.
“There is always a good mood in this run, I always like to run in Jonava, especially on such a beautiful occasion. I ran much faster and easier last year. The weather probably had an effect on it, but I wasn’t feeling the best either. As a result, the time is worse than last year. I managed to get off to a quick start and thus I broke away from my rivals. This is one of those times when I didn’t feel my competitors breathing”, said V. Žūsinaitė-Nekriošienė.
Traditionally, the mayor of Jonava, Mindaugas Sinkevičius, participated in this run and completed the 15 km distance.
“I try not to abandon traditions,” smiled M. Sinkevičius. – Every time we think about what the weather will be like. This year the weather wasn’t kind, but it was fun to run, even when I was almost unprepared. We’re a sporty city, so it’s great that people do sports and take part in this traditional run.”
Dovydas Pauras (7.03.1) and Nikita Liatukaitė (7.43.0) completed the 2 km track in the city of Jonava the fastest.
Remigijus Zalumskis (2561 points) leads the overall LBT standings after three stages. The second place is taken by the Latvian Sergejus Maslobojevs (2526 points), and the third place by Artūras Linga (2432 points).
Dalia Lukošienė (1938 points), Gitana Akmanavičiūtė (1727 points) and Diana Banienė (1721 points) are the leaders among women.
Next Saturday – March 19 – the IV stage of the Lithuanian Running Cup will take place. Athletes and lovers of an active life will gather in Šiauliai this time, where the somewhat unusual adventure race “Around Rėkyva Lake” will take place.
LBT info.
