For more information and pictures please link to:
www.biegajznami.pl

World Run Day Bydgoszcz:

1  Benecki Piotr
2  Dahms Adam
3  Derfert Andrzej
4  Drygalski Dominik
5  Galla Ryszard
6  Kociszewski Marek
7  Kosakowski
   Krzysztof
8  Leszczewicz Jan
9  Moczynski Leszek
10 Nitschke Marcin
11 Ossowski Adam
12 Raut Wieslaw
13 Wesierski Dariusz

Marcin Lenski (center) brings event to Poland. Interview provided by Ms. Dorota Politowicz (above). Runners on World Run Day below. See Marcin's article below the pictures...

A NEW EVENT COMES TO TOWN  - by Marcin Lenski

This year we have started celebrating World Run Day in Bydgoszcz      

You know, after the whole season, there comes a time when you don't want to do anything. After all of the training, all of the events, all those kilometers ran, and all of the injuries that happened .... you just want to sit down and rest. Do you know that feeling? Sure you do! It got me and Piotr after we did in October the 5th “Walk or Run” in Myślęcinek (Bydgoszcz). This was the last one in our “Run with Us” series. We decided that everything was okay for now. We had just finished our organizational work for this year. And then, one day..,

A friend of ours, living in Spain (temporarily) asked us if there are going to be any runs celebrating World Run Day? Do we know anything about any events that will be held under that name in Poland? First of all, we were a little surprised. Then, after a short discussion we decided that if there is no run, then we will do it!

Well, (here in Poland) November is not the time to improvise, we need a place – a warm one, to change clothes, take a shower, etc. It is a necessity here in November  - if you want to run and come back home in good health. So, we thought of “Luczniczka”, one of the most modern and beautiful sports arena's in Poland. Most importantly, it is located close to the City center, where we wanted to be seen. Another consideration - one of the participants of our previous runs worked there. We did not know what the outcome would be, but we decided to find out. Additionally, we asked the Mayor of the city, Mr. Konstanty Dombrowicz, to support our event.

I know one thing, if you want to do something, and really, really want to do it. You will!

First, the person from Luczniczka, happened to be Vice-Director, runner, and a very helpful person (beside, next year, he is going to run his first marathon. Good Luck!). Second, a few days before 9th of November, we received the letter that confirmed Mr. Dombrowicz's support of World Run Day in Bydgoszcz.

In meantime, we have written some words and published them on our web page, sent some information to www.maratonypolskie.pl (biggest and best marathon info website in Poland), www.bieganie.pl (biggest and best runners forum in Poland) and some new people joined us! World Run Day was spotted!

And then, the 9th  of November.. chilly, frosty day, blue sky, and nippy wind. What else should we dream of on that day…

9.00AM, I am entering the Arena, and meet Mr. Polasik  (you, know – our man), I am taking the keys from the guards, and go to see the locker-room. O gosh! Beautiful! Great, spacious place with lockers for every person, toilets, showers, air-conditioned… everything “smells new”. Then I walk to see the other event (in parallel there is some TV show – “Chance for Success” – where you sing and if you are good, they take you to TV to sing some songs of well known pop stars). Lots of people are now standing and waiting. And how do I find out which ones are going to run today? Well… yes, they will have no guitar or trumpet! All right, few moments later the problem is solved.  Many of runners have just run there. They are already in their running clothes. Closer to 10.00AM, more runners are approaching, and journalist also. First of all, there comes beautiful radio-reporter from Radio PLUS, then Radio PiK , camera-man from Gazeta Pomorska newspaper. We are being interviewed, and in meantime we collect the money.

10.30AM, all the runners – thirteen (I stopped to be superstitious) started to run. I went with my friend to my car, to take some photos. There will be some other photographers – one from the newspaper is waiting at foot-bridge. These are his words: “although it is not Brooklyn Bridge, but still it can be a very good picture”. The runners are accompanied by Marek Kloska riding his bike, and taking pictures.

Finally, we reached the City Center. I have taken some pictures also. It is a great pleasure for me to watch them running through Old Town, and running in front of City Hall. It does not happen often. Actually, it is the first time in our history!

And after that, they are heading the boulevard and run on the bank of the Brda River. The last photo's we take are in front of  Luczniczka Arena.

Finally, we count the money. 85PLN. Great, next year we will raise more.

I have send the money to the account 81420007-4327-27006-3-0/0 “OTWARTY OGRÓD”, Stowarzyszenie Bratnia Pomoc przy Domu Pomocy Spolecznej „Promien Zycia”; Lomzynska 54 Street; Bydgoszcz; Poland. All the money will be spent on buying some pencils and pads for kids or similar things.

I give the account number and the name, in case any of you who did not participate our run would like to join us and help these kids. Thanks

Marcin Lenski

www.biegajznami.pl

(PS - There were also runs in Zabkowice Slaskie, Gliwice, Torun,