Kharkiv is considered one of the running capitals of Ukraine for a reason, because there are many exciting events that attract runners from all over the country. In 2019, a very interesting series of races was revived here, which I want to tell you about.
I got acquainted with the Kharkiv running triad by accident. This happened in the first year, as the organizers decided to restore it after a long break. While compiling his calendar for 2019, he simply could not ignore the race, which actually opens the running season of Ukrainian city half marathons. It is about “Kharkiv Half Marathon” - without this event, my own running calendar would be incomplete.
По закінченню “Kharkiv Half Marathon” організатори анонсували ще два цікавих півмарафони у рамках бігової тріади “Kharkiv Grand Prix“. Не довго вагаючись, також вирішив їх пробігти – так уся серія була запланована в мене на 2019 рік.
This is the end of my acquaintance with the "Kharkiv Grand Prix" running series. Now it is necessary to get acquainted with it in more detail. The first edition of the running triad took place in 2014 - it included three races:
- “Kharkiv City Run” - city race with a distance of 10 km;
- “Kharkiv Night Run” - night city race with a distance of 5 km;
- “Kharkiv Trail Run” is a trail race with a distance of 6 km.
Саме у такому форматі серія харківських забігів проіснувала до 2016 року. Після цього здавалося, що тріада більше не пройде харківськими вуличками. Але організатори таки вирішили відновити бігову серію. “Kharkiv Grand Prix” повернулася у 2019 році на вулички Харкова у оновленому форматі, щоб привернути увагу ще більшої кількості бігунів з усієї України.
Like the previous first format of the series, the updated format of the "Kharkiv Grand Prix" consists of three different races, which have now become full-fledged half marathons:
- Official name: Kharkiv Half Marathon
- Venue: Kharkiv (Ukraine)
- Distances: 21 та 5 км.
- Entry fee: from 20 €
- Date: March 21
- Coating: asphalt
- Website: sportevent.com.ua
- Certification: Athletics Federation of Ukraine (FLAU)
Half Marathon “Kharkiv Half Marathon” is held at the end of March - it is the first city half marathon in Ukraine in the running season. The race track is quite exhausting - runners will have many ascents and descents. But it further increases the excitement and desire to go to the end, because this 21-kilometer race is not easy, but it is an exciting test that must be passed by every connoisseur of running.
- Official name: Kharkiv Night Half Marathon
- Venue: Kharkiv (Ukraine)
- Distances: 21, 10 та 5 км.
- Entry fee: from 20 €
- Date: 19 червня
- Coating: asphalt
- Website: sportevent.com.ua
- Certification: Athletics Federation of Ukraine (FLAU)
Night half marathon “Kharkiv Night Half Marathon” - it's even more drive and excitement. It is held on the territory of the forest "Forest Park". The race track consists of two laps - one for 5 kilometers and the other for 16 kilometers. The night atmosphere makes running more interesting and gives unsurpassed exciting sensations. The organization of the half marathon demonstrates a very high level, because it is the responsibility of people who are passionate about their favorite thing. It should also be noted that the half marathon route is certified.
- Official name: Kharkiv Trail Half Marathon
- Venue: Kharkiv (Ukraine)
- Distances: 21 та 7 км.
- Entry fee: from 20 €
- Date: 25 липня
- Coating: rough terrain
- Website: sportevent.com.ua
- Certification: –
Trail route “Kharkiv Trail Half Marathon” simple - three circles of 7 kilometers each. The running event involves races of 21 kilometers (half marathon) and 7 kilometers - they start at the same time. Among the advantages of the race should be noted the picturesque landscapes of the forest "Forest Park", which is one of the largest in Ukraine. The route is accompanied by a large number of descents and ascents - the markings are very good, but not without tricks that make participants not only run forward, but also remember the route so as not to get lost.
In my opinion, the revival of the "Kharkiv Grand Prix" running triad is the right decision. First, it had a very good effect on the main city race "Kharkiv Half Marathon", which in accordance with its high status received an updated and really interesting and difficult track.
Попередній маршрут забігу “Kharkiv Half Marathon” відійшов до нічного півмарафону, що теж зробило його на порядок вище. У компанію до цих двох півмарафонів також гарно влився й трейл – “Kharkiv Trail Half Marathon” та доповнив бігову тріаду, зробивши її ще більш цікавою та різноманітною. Отак й вийшла одна з найцікавіших бігових серій в Україні – “Kharkiv Grand Prix”.
