News

This Friday, August 22, Jelgava will host its biggest mass sports event – the “BTA” Jelgava Night Half Marathon. The race center on Pasta (Post) Island will be open from 12:00 PM, where participants will be able to pick up their race numbers or register for any of the distances. Please note that registration will close 30 minutes before the start of each respective race.

From 12:00 PM, various creative workshops and children’s activities will also be available on Pasta (Post) Island, such as “Brain Games” and inflatable attractions.

The first race will start at 7:30 PM – the mile run. Based on last year’s experience, this event is popular both as a warm-up for longer distance runners and among families with children. Currently, 403 participants have registered for the mile run.

At 8:00 PM, there will be a bachata performance and workshop on stage.

Children’s races will begin at 8:15 PM, divided into several age groups, with each group running an age-appropriate distance. Before the races, the children will warm up with Jelgava sports teacher Nataļja Gorškova. After the races, they are invited to join a foam party. So far, 531 children have registered for the kids’ races.

At 9:15 PM, the half marathon runners will take the starting line (currently 719 participants registered), while the 5 km and 10 km races will start at 10:25 PM (with 1,015 registered for 5 km and 751 for 10 km). Along the route, there will be about 10 cheering zones where runners will be encouraged with sound and light effects.

Around 11:00 PM, the audience will be treated to a fire show.

The award ceremony is scheduled for half past midnight. A tradition of the event is also awarding the fastest participants from Jelgava – one man and one woman whose result in the 5 km, 10 km, or half marathon is rated highest according to World Athletics points. These winners will be awarded on August 25 or 26 (exact date to be confirmed in the calendar at www.jelgava.lv). The event will conclude with live musical performances. Unfortunately, Žoržs Siksna has canceled his performance, and a new performer is currently being sought.

After the event, a free bus will be available from Jelgava to Riga. Departure is planned as soon as traffic is restored (around 1:00 AM on August 23). Meeting point – Jāņa Čakstes Boulevard 1, at the bus parking area. Those interested are asked to register by August 21 by email to Alona.Fomeko@sports.jelgava.lv, providing their name, surname, phone number, and the distance they will be running.

A reminder – this year, the municipality is offering free participation in the Jelgava Night Half Marathon to students of Jelgava’s sports schools and clubs, to encourage children and youth involvement in city sports events. This opportunity will be used by 190 participants.

“BTA” Jelgava Night Half Marathon participants will be able to visit the sand sculpture park on Pasta (Post) Island at a discounted rate on August 22 (by showing their race number). The park will be open from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM on this day.

Please note there will be significant traffic restrictions in the city during the event. Stopping and parking along the race route will be prohibited starting Friday, August 22, from 12:00 PM, and in the evening, traffic on several streets will be fully closed, allowing only emergency vehicles to pass. On Thursday, August 21, temporary road signs will be installed on affected streets, and on Friday morning, barriers will be placed to mark the race course.

The event is organized by the “Baltic Event” association with support from the Jelgava Sports Service Center.

Program:

12:00 – Registration and bib pick-up; various activities on Pasta (Post) Island

19:30 – Start of the mile run

20:15 – Start of children’s races

21:15 – Start of the half marathon

22:35 – Start of 5 km and 10 km races

00:30 – Award ceremony

01:15 – Musical performance