Four days, four runs, joy, satisfaction and fatigue, plus otherworldly views - this is how Runmageddon Global Caucasus can be summed up in a nutshell. The second edition of the extreme run in Georgia was a success. It provided the competitors with unusual impressions that will be remembered for years.
Over 70 people took up the challenge of Runmageddon Global Caucasus. During four days, the competitors, depending on the formula chosen, traveled over 100 or 50 kilometers. Each day brought a new challenge. The first three stages counted in the competition classification, the last fourth was the so-called Friendship Run - an inclusive, joint event culminating in the official awarding of medals.
Way to the top
In the opinion of the competitors, the first day was one of the most difficult mentally, because its distance was terrifying. On that day, the riders in the formula 100 covered 44 kilometers, and in the formula 50 - 22 kilometers. The route of the first section led through the flat, picturesque area of the Truso Valley surrounded by huge mountains. On their way, they met settlements, their inhabitants and wild animals. They had the opportunity to see the abandoned town of Ketrisi and the historic fortress of Zakagori.
During the second stage, the starters reached an altitude of about 2400 m above sea level. For 8 kilometers they traveled a winding path that climbed sharply upwards. A prize was waiting for its sewing - a stunning view of the Truso Valley and the slumbering Kazbek volcano.
After running down the mountain, they crossed the rushing river Terek. The third day brought the greatest physical challenge. Formula 100 participants climbed the longest and steepest ascents with a total difference in elevation of 1,600 meters. They ran sharply uphill to get as close as possible to the monumental Kazbek peak. They reached a height of over 2,900 m above sea level. Formula 50 competitors explored the Gergeti hill, 2,170 m above sea level, and admired the 14th-century Cminda Sameba Monastery.
The fourth day provided a lot of excitement. First, with a steep 38-degree ascent, they ran to the top, where they were awarded the medals of Runmageddon Global Caucasus completion. Then, the best of the best received statuettes for winning the first, second and third place.
The best of the best
In the formula of 50, the first place among womenDominika Stelmach took the whole route with a time of 5:42:22, the second - Tatiana Młynarczyk (7:34:24), the third: Natalia Chaieb (8:42:09). The fastest man was Artsiom Tochka, who covered 50 kilometers with a score of 4:39:54. Mateusz Salamon (4:58:43) came second and Franciszek Olejnik (5:01:16) came third. In the formula 100. The fastest woman was Edyta Kubiak, who covered 100 kilometers in 14:15:49. The second place was taken by Patrycja Jasińska (15:18:48), and the third by Julita Ilczyszyn (16:19:13). Among men, the competition was won by Damian Mędrykowski with the result 11:42:27. Paweł Matuszak was second (12:22:19), and Marcin Józefaciuk (12:48:13) was third.
Runmageddon for Georgian schools
On the fourth day after the winners were awarded, the runmageddon players had one more, very important task ahead of them - Runmageddon Kids by Wawel.
The organizers and partners of the run have prepared a Kids formula route for about 60 children from local schools in Gudauri and Stepantsminda. Children were divided into several groups so that they could comfortably and safely overcome obstacles. Each of them was accompanied by participants of Runmageddon Global Caucasus, who, as volunteers, helped overcome the obstacle course.
When the children finished their extreme run, they received gifts from the runners, organizers and partners of the run, including lots of treats from Wawel. Teachers from Georgian schools did not hide their emotions and sincere gratitude for this event organized especially for their students. On the other hand, the little riders were delighted to follow the routes of the first obstacle course in their lives and with indescribable joy they enjoyed every gift they received from the runmageddoners.