Photo Laura Toomesoo

On Saturday June 22nd Pärnu County Victory Day Marathon brought together in total of 626 participants in different age groups. 134 runners started the marathon from Tori, in front of Estonian Soldiers Memorial Church, and 326 participants completed the half marathon distance. Children’s races held on Liberty Square in Pärnu, put 166 small runners to their test.

The unique wandering trophy given out by the Estonian Society of Soldiers in Pärnu County was given for the third time in a row to Jonathan Rosenbrier from Great Britain, who broke the track record with one minute (2:36.06). Marek Võsu representing Prorunner sports club finished second with time 2:52.20. On third place came Margus Luhtoja with time 2:56.35.

Klarika Kuusk from Pärnu representing Treeningpartner Diadora was first one among women (3:15.33). Last year’s winner Kaidi Keir Kukk (representing LifeThroughTrails) came on second place (3:19.32) and Jelena Melnikova representing Tallinn Road Runners came third (3:33.15).

“Every time I have run in Pärnu, a strong headwind has blown. I fought nearly 40 kilometres alone and gave everything,”said Jonathan Rosenbrier.

The winner among women Klarika Kuusk considered this marathon difficult. „Whenever I run here, I feel more exhausted and my legs cramp easily. Maybe I should train more. When you get the first place, there’s no difference in what time it is because it’s the first place. It was headwind and it was especially hard in the woods,” said Kuusk, who won for the third time.

Photo Laura Toomesoo

The winner on half-marathon distance, which started next to the Reiu Holiday Center in Paikuse, was Markek Nõmm (1:17.09) representative of Spordipood Duncan.ee. Martin Tarkpea did protect his second position (1:20.13) and third was Veljo Liplap (1:20.32). Fastest among women was Minna Kuslap from Tartu with time 1:25.13 (representing Jooksupartner). Anu Teppo who has her own training group Anu Jooksutrennid came second (1:27.42) and Maris Heinaru representing Treeningpartner came third (1:31.14).

At the same time with marathon starting shot the memorial flame lit in Estonian Soldiers Memorial Church was brought by relay runners to Liberty Square in Pärnu. The flame was greeted by the members of The General Johan Laindoner Society, headed by Trivimi Velliste, and sent forth to the Victory Day Parade in Tartu.

The results of Pärnu Victory Day Marathon are found here.

The marathon was organized by Pärnu Two Bridges Sports Club in cooperation with Pärnumaa Spordiliit, local municipalities, several NGO’s, public sector, and ca 260 volunteers. The organizers would like to thank all of participants, volunteers, sponsors, and partners.