Balkan adventure in North Macedonia
We were planning a marathon in Cyprus – tak, po raz trzeci – this time in Larnaca, but the late November deadline did not suit us. We decided to give the Wizz Air Skopje Marathon a chance in North Macedonia – we haven't been there yet.
The city is very strange, there is no old town, but surprising monuments at every turn.
The running office was located in a market, we were early and there was still organizational chaos. After that, it was much better – we even managed to replace the shirt with a larger size.
The race was started by Fr. 8:00, which is quite a decent hour. We went to the start traditionally wrapped in thermal foil and we traditionally aroused a sensation…
Two laps. Flat route. I was tired of long straight over 5 km, the more, that under the sun. Było gorąco, I regretted it, that we didn't take off 2 hours earlier. As a precaution, I took the bottle on the point and poured water over myself and sipped when I felt like it. Do 10 I km 3 kobietą, then to 37 km 4. Traditionally the last one 12 km, I was running very nice and the last one 5 I tormented km until the finish line and I was overtaken again. I finished the marathon as 6 kobieta.
After the run, water waited in the finisher area, alcohol free beer, kola and fruit: banany, oranges and lemons – everything at will.
I think, that the place for the start and finish was perfect, a great run towards Macedonia Square with the Warrior statue (Alexander of Macedon) on the horizon.
There were as many water points as needed, there were also isotonic drinks on the route, banany, oranges and sour lemons, which refreshed me on 3 km before the finish line. Outside, that she ran with us 5, relay and 21 km there was no shortage of anything and the volunteers gladly gave water and cheered. I am delighted with the organization, package and atmosphere of the run, the more, it's a poor country. There were a lot of fans on the route, local orchestras played Balkan melodies on the ski jumps. Lots of photos from the run, already published on the day of the race, all for free! I recommend the marathon with all my heart.
It's definitely worth coming for the weekend, visit an original city and take part in a run. I do not recommend longer stays in Skopje, because there is simply nothing to do. We've climbed Mount Vodno, walk both ways to warm up before your run. We visited the Matka Canyon with the cave and saw it 1000 monuments in the city, and as part of the White Nights, we visited the archaeological museum with figurines for free: Great Mother (Golemata Majka) and Adam of Macedonia.
In addition, as part of stretching the leg muscles after the marathon, we did 14 km hiking trip to Scupi – the remains of one of the largest Roman cities in the Balkans and “Justinian's aqueduct”.
The city is surprising and difficult to classify, but in combination with a marathon well worth a visit.
Enchanted by the Balkan hospitality and the level of organization of the Skopje marathon, we are adding the Pristina marathons to our plans for the future, Podgorica and Zagreb.
42K: 03:47:44 (6 OPEN) in 04:16:56
