Moscow Marathon 2019 - in pictures
Joel van Houdt explores Russia’s new zeal for exercise while pounding the pavement
The metro with runners arrives at Vorobyovy Gory station close to the Luzhniki Stadium. Photo: Joel van Houdt
In recent years, Muscovites have embraced healthy living with aplomb.
There is even a Russian acronym for the trend - Zozh (ЗОЖ) - literally standing for "a healthy way of life". From vegan alternatives to Russia's mayonnaise-drenched Olivier salad, a thriving alcohol-free beer industry and a new network of dedicated bike lanes, the Russian capital has become positively wholesome.
But perhaps nothing sums up Moscow's new lust for life as the city's marathon.
Taking place each September for the past six years, the marathon continues from where the Soviet-initiated "international peace" marathon left off. The brainchild of Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin, this year's event was attended by runners from over 70 countries. (Although it must be said getting a ticket to the still-nascent Moscow Marathon is far easier than those in London or Tokyo).
If you live in Moscow, as I do, running 42.2 kilometres through this beautiful city — without the traffic congestion and constant fear of being run over by motorists who ignore pedestrian crossings — was pure delight. I will never forget how free I felt running past the winding walls of the Kremlin, taking pictures as I went. Another highlight was bounding past the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a favourite of mine that looks like a building right out of the novel 1984.
Runners take part in the 2019 Moscow Marathon on Sunday September 22, 2019. The 42.2 km run through the centre of the Russian capital starts and finishes at Luzhniki stadium. Runners who aim to run below 3:29 prepare to start next to Luzhniki Stadium. Photo: Joel van Houdt
The first kilometres take them over the Luzhnetskaya naberezhnaya (Luzhniki Embankment) past the Moscow River, under Moscow’s third ring road bridge... Photo: Joel van Houdt
… and past Hotel Ukraina at the other side of the river. The building is one of Moscow’s Seven Sisters and opened in 1957, now a Radisson Hotel. Photo: Joel van Houdt
The runners on the left take part in the 10km run. Photo: Joel van Houdt
Around 9km they run past a construction site at Moscow-City. The high-rise business area of Moscow International Business Center has been under construction over the decades. Photo: Joel van Houdt
Cobblestones lie next to one of the Seven Sister buildings, the Kudrinskaya Square building. Photo: Joel van Houdt
Traditionally dressed women hand out water around kilometer 15. Photo: Joel van Houdt
A spectator stands on the Krymsky Bridge over the Moscow River. Photo: Joel van Houdt
After 14km they run past the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, one of Moscow’s Seven Sisters buildings. Photo: Joel van Houdt
A mother with her two daughters support a runner. In Russian the signs read “Run, Papa, Run” and “Papa you are a champion”. Photo: Joel van Houdt
A police officer stands next to the route at 19 km, next to the Moscow River, opposite the Kremlin. Photo: Joel van Houdt
After 23km runners go over the Moscow River on the Bolshoy Ustyinskiy Bridge, past the Kotelnicheskaya Embankment Building, one of the Seven Sisters. Photo: Joel van Houdt
A worker cleans the road underneath the viewing platform of Zaradye Park next to the Moscow River. The park was opened by president Putin in 2017. Photo: Joel van Houdt
Passing underneath the viewing platform of Zaradye Park, after running more than 35km. Photo: Joel van Houdt
Running next to the Moscow River and the Kremlin after 36 kilometres. Photo: Joel van Houdt
Running next to the Moscow River under the Patriarshiy Most, a pedestrian bridge, after 37 kilometres. Photo: Joel van Houdt
Runners who participated in the 10km support the marathon runners after kilometre 40 under the Novoandreyevskiy Most, on Moscow’s third ring road. Photo: Joel van Houdt
At the finish, Novoluzhnetskiy Proyezd. Photo: Joel van Houdt
Jose shows off his medal to a friend in front of the Luzhniki and a statue of Lenin. Photo: Joel van Houdt
