On Sunday, Snow Day activities took place at the Lielvārde Municipality Sports Centre, culminating in a barefoot run through the snow

Those brave enough to take off their shoes could run one or two 150-metre laps barefoot.

"Everyone is a winner in this run, because it is worth experiencing what it is like to run barefoot through the snow. I recommend that everyone try it in moderation, as it is very healthy. So far, none of the participants in the runs held in previous years has fallen ill, so there is no need to worry about health problems," says Agris Pikšens, a representative of the association ''Visa Veida Kustība''.

The barefoot run has already become a traditional part of Snow Day in Lielvārde Municipality. Five years ago, when Snow Day began to be celebrated in Lielvārde, the barefoot run took place near the Lielvārde Municipality Cultural Centre, but for the past three years it has been held near the Lielvārde Municipality Sports Centre. As A. Pikšens reveals, over the years it has been expanded to include various other physical activities. 

This year, participants in Snow Day were offered various agility challenges: jumping with a ball, playing floorball in winter conditions, and knocking down skittles with snowballs. Both children and adults could take part in the activities organised by the association "Visa Veida Kustība".

Snow Day was organised by the Lielvārde Municipality Sports Centre, Lielvārde Municipality and the association "Visa Veida Kustība".

The Lielvārde Municipality Sports Centre offered participants the opportunity to use cross-country skis, while coach Zintis Bergmanis advised skiers on how best to complete the course.

Due to the weather, the planned hockey tournament had to be replaced with football this time, but this did not diminish the Snow Day participants’ enjoyment of the opportunity to get active together.

The main aim of the Snow Day organisers was to show that a weekend day can be spent outdoors with the family.

Ainars Puķītis, director of the Lielvārde Municipality Sports Centre, is pleased that the people of Lielvārde responded to the opportunity offered by the Snow Day organisers—to relax together with their families in the fresh air and use this time for physical activities.

"Although winter sports are not as popular as summer sports in our climatic zone, on Snow Day small children put on skis for the first time and try to ski along the tracks," says A. Puķītis. "Snow Day and other events are organised with people in mind who do not engage actively in sports in their everyday lives. To encourage as many residents as possible to take part in physical activities, every Sunday the Lielvārde Municipality Sports Centre offers what is known as open access, when people of all generations can come and try out various sports games."