Vita Devyatnikova Wins Riga-Valmiera Race and Sets New Track Record

On the night of the previous week, from Friday to Saturday (June 3), the traditional (now 10 times) Riga – Valmiera race took place. The length of the track is 107 kilometers, the race starts at midnight in Riga at the Freedom Monument and the finish is in Valmiera at the Sīmanis Church, touching the door handle.

This year, they won again in the women’s competition Europharmacies a pharmacist Vita Devyatnikova. Vita reached the finish with a new track record: 9 hours 9 minutes and 45 seconds, breaking her own record set in 2018.

Also this year, Riga – Valmiera had the status of the national championship in the 100 kilometer highway race. Of course, Vita was the first here as well, thus becoming the champion of Latvia! Congratulations!

A few days after the run, Vita facebook published his memories and reflections on what he enjoyed on the night of the race. With Vita’s permission, we publish:

“Well, my love! I don’t remember practically anything, so I can judge from the pictures what happened on that 3rd of June and that I stayed in Valmiera at all! Of course, you can’t forget the start, the rain, even heavy rain in the Garkalne district, all those supporters and runners who joked before the start that I would have a record. I secretly thought that J was finally caught! I briefly saw the beautiful sunrise, which was soon enveloped by clouds. One intrusive to Lexus with some numbers on the roof and music that made me run faster. Of course, the last km in Valmiera, which seemed endless… I had to walk a bit, because my head was spinning around its axis and carried me left and right (during the whole run I ate 3 gels, 3 jelly balls, 1 piece of chip and 3 slices of watermelon, as they usually say – learn from mistakes, just not me in this case). It was a pleasure to see not only the guardian angel of this race, but also the previous ones! A very nice employee of the school gym, who always came to help, even put flowers in vases. Of course, massage first! Perhaps after a while I will remember something else… See you!”

Aigars Eniņš