Exploring Moldova: We made it: The Green Run

Saturday the 22nd of June was the day of the Green Run. The idea for this event was born at the beginning of the year with another volunteer, after a refreshing run through cold winter weather. "Wouldn’t it be nice to participate in a race of about 10 or 20 kilometers?" But after searching the internet we couldn’t find anything…. so ... we decided that we can organize it ourselves. We shared the idea with Leonid who wanted to join us and who and who gave shape to the event.

Ups and downs
The organization was not always smooth and several times it was almost put to a stop. First, the idea was to organize it in Horodiste, but for practical reasons the location moved to Orhei Vechi. In May, we explored a possible trail and personally I was immediately sold for the location and I regretted that I couldn’t participate myself. It is a fairly flat course with a few hills. It offers little shade, but a great view.

Location of the Green Run

In Orhei Vechi we had the cooperation of the former mayor and his wife. Together with several other women they took care of the catering of the event. Also a few young people from Trebujeni helped with the organization by building up and breaking down. We also had the cooperation of Mr. Lazari Povetska, head of the athletics departmet at the university. He came to the event with the three judges and a number of elite runners in Moldova and helped us with advice and enthusiasm.
Luckily we were not the only ones in Moldova who do like to run around in the nature and although the number of registrations came only in motion during the last week, there were almost 70 participants.

No volunteers in Moldova?
During a recording for the Moldovan television on volunteering they asked me why 'in Europe' volunteering is popular and not in Moldova. I couldn't give a real and after this event even less. This event was never possible without the help of all the volunteers: Moldovans, foreigners, the local young people and the jury.

Also, the participants both Moldovan and Foreigners, young and old...

thanks all of you, you made it!

Some pictures of the day...