To sum up my first year passion for running and open new autumn season, I decided to take part in “Tarchyn Half Marathon” in Poland. Why did I choose this half marathon? There were three reasons for that. First, the event was held near Warsaw in a small town, so it was quite easy to get there. Secondly, the marathon route was classic - one lap. Thirdly, this half marathon was held for the eighth time, and for me it would be the eighth race in practice - such a race made me very happy. And I was quite interested in the level of organization of such events in small towns in Poland.
I went to Warsaw by train from Kyiv. He got out at the station of the station "Warsaw West" and immediately handed over the bulk of his luggage to the station's storage room, taking with him only the most necessary things to participate in the half marathon. The town of Tarchyn, where the race took place, can be reached by bus for 7 zlotys (about 45 hryvnias) in just 20 minutes. Registration was supposed to start at 16:00, so I decided to spend time walking the streets of the town.
Participation in “Tarchyn Half Marathon” cost me 85 zlotys (somewhere 550 UAH). At the gym at the local gymnasium, he got his starter pack, which included a participant's number and a chip, as well as a Pepsi bank. Separately, you could still buy a branded T-shirt. But it was more difficult to resolve the issue of overnight accommodation, as the nearest hotel was located 10 km away. from the starting town.
After picking up the participant's starter pack, I decided to mash my way to the hotel. The road to it took me 2 hours, but the city was very beautiful and its scenery brightened my way. The hotel was gorgeous and very beautiful - it was struck by interesting old European architecture. It seemed like this was not a hotel, but an old mansion, located near two picturesque lakes.
The start of the "Tarczyn Polmaraton" half marathon was scheduled for 10 am. So he quickly settled into the hotel, got a little acquainted with the beauty of the surrounding area of the estate, and went to rest.
He got up very early, had good breakfast with sandwiches and a glass of delicious juice. I didn't want to walk on foot and run, so I called a cab and headed to the starting point. After changing his clothes and putting his things in the storage room, he started to wait for the half marathon to start.
Adult participants were invited to take part in the 10 and 21 km races. There were also special races and relays for the little ones. The start was given separately - first we started participants of the half marathon, and after them all others took turns. The Tarczyn Half Marathon route turned out to be very simple - only one asphalt circle with ascents and descents, which sometimes appeared on the way.
The beginning of the route passed through the city center, skirting its square. In the central square of the marathon runners met a huge pyramid, which was laid out of ripe bright apples. Then the path passed through the nearby streets of the town and directed runners to the apple orchards. In just 24 minutes I managed to cover the first 5 kilometers - joining a group of participants who followed a very good and comfortable pace for me.
The first hydration station met at the fifth kilometer - here I quenched my thirst by drinking a little isotonics and water. After the first station, I decided to slow down because I wasn't ready for the 1 mile pace in 7 minutes - I realized I wouldn't be able to stretch for long enough at that pace. In 64 minutes, I had completed another 7 miles. At 8 kilometers of the track at the hydration station, once again got drunk with water and isotonics. Other stations were located 12 and 16 kilometers.
The race was accompanied by many turns. At each of the runners were greeted by firefighters and indicated where to run next. Volunteers usually do this, so meeting firefighters was unusual. Traffic on the half marathon was limited only partially by firefighters and local police.
Despite the fact that the event has been held for the eighth time, it cannot be said that it is very mass and popular. No more than 300 runners participated in the 21km distance. Most of the participants were from Warsaw and other cities in Poland. But you could also meet runners from Ukraine, Germany, Spain and Macedonia. At the finish line, participants were awarded medals and treated with apples and delicious drinks. When crossing the finish line, the names of the participants and the city where they came from were announced.
The medal was in the shape of an apple - having received his, he rested a little and went on his own things. Everyone was able to have a salad and pasta with meat in the gymnasium, where the starter packs were distributed. After a grueling race, it was very appropriate, so I did not refuse to eat. After the rest I went to a stop to go to Warsaw. The half marathon “Tarczyn Polmaraton” in the picturesque apple-tree town of Tarczyn left me with very pleasant and wonderful memories.
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