Registration Opens for the Annual “Stipro skrējiens”

On 2 February, registration opened for one of the largest mass sports events, “Stipro skrējiens”, which this year will take place over two days—27 and 28 May—at the “Zelta Zirgs” recreation and sports complex in Ķegums. 

“Stipro skrējiens” is one of the best-known mass sporting events in the country. This is demonstrated not only by the growing number of participants and visitors each year, but also by a recent survey on the sports most popular among the public. Society recognised this, the only mass endurance race in Eastern Europe and the first of its kind in the Baltics, as the third most popular sporting event in Latvia last year. Thanks to its uniqueness and patriotic idea, more and more people are ready to take on the course, overcome dozens of obstacles, run through water and mud, and thus demonstrate the strength of national unity and willpower, courage, energy and determination.  

The traditional “Stipro skrējiens” course is 9 kilometres long (Mass Start), and there will also be an Elite Group race (12 km), suitable for people in excellent physical condition, professional athletes or those who want to achieve a good result. Men and women may compete separately, or in teams of four. 

Taking into account that not everyone has the same physical abilities, while the desire to participate is growing, the organisers of “Stipro skrējiens” have prepared a new course—the Scouts’ Run. Anyone who has so far been unsure about taking part in “Stipro skrējiens” but feels that the time has come to test their strength will feel comfortable on the five-kilometre course. The main aim here is to experience the event atmosphere, sense of community and mutual support. The Scouts’ Run will have a single start for both men and women, so for the first time participants will also be able to run individually or as a pair with someone else. Officially, participation in this race is open to anyone aged 16 and over. Compared with the other courses, this one is considerably easier, with fewer obstacles and a lower level of difficulty; there will also be only a few, shallow water pits.

This year, the organisers of “Stipro skrējiens” once again plan to change the course layout and pay more attention to the variety of obstacles and other challenges—for example, making certain sections of the course more interesting with additional tasks. Participants will run along a motocross track, through more marshy terrain and sandier ground, over hills and through valleys, as well as through deeper and shallower water pits. 

As seven separate starts are planned this time, “Stipro skrējiens” will take place over two days for the first time. This format was chosen so that the organisers could provide better service to participants on the course and create longer intervals between races, thereby reducing queues at the obstacles. It will also help keep the structures in consistently good technical condition.  

The event will take place throughout the weekend, so “Stipro skrējiens” will be the main event of “FESTIVAL STIPRIEM”, a festival for people who are strong in body and spirit, celebrating an active lifestyle on a scale never before seen in Latvia. On Saturday and Sunday, visitors and participants will be able to enjoy various additional activities, strength sports competitions and other entertainment. Their wellbeing will be taken care of through a rich festival programme. Everyone will have the opportunity to spend the entire weekend at the “Zelta Zirgs” motocross track, staying in tents, bringing grills and organising a proper celebration for strong people. 

Children will receive special attention. For the third year, the “Mazo Stipro skrējiens” will take place—an entertaining running competition. A course especially designed for children aged one to 12 will include various interesting obstacles to climb over, crawl under and scramble across.  Taking part in the Mazo Stipro skrējiens will provide an opportunity to bring the family together and allow the little ones to test their strength. The event “Adventures of the Little Strong One” will also be available free of charge to everyone—six sports and educational activities. Parents and grandparents will be allowed to help, enjoying themselves and participating together with their children and grandchildren. Everyone will be able to enjoy family recreation by playing well-known traditional games in an outdoor setting. Creative workshops will also be available. Every participant will receive a diploma and other small prizes. Honour and glory to all the brave ones.  

On both days, DJs will perform musical sets on stage, while on Saturday evening there will be performances by popular Latvian bands. 

For two weeks, from 2 to 15 February, participants can register for the event at a reduced fee. The fee is EUR 10 for participants in the Scouts’ Run, EUR 18 for individual participants (the Mass Start in the traditional “Stipro skrējiens” course), and EUR 35 for the Elite Group. Teams competing in the traditional 9 km “Stipro skrējiens” course will pay EUR 80, while the fee for Elite Group teams is EUR 140. 

Further information and registration for “Stipro skrējiens” are available at www.stiproskrejiens.lv