“We took part in events of this kind in Germany several times and wanted to bring the idea here,” says Grzegorz Szociński, the initiator of the skate marathon and a roller-skating enthusiast. The Osiecznica municipality proved to be an ideal location for organizing the competition. Once the project was approved by commune head Waldemar Nalazek, preparations got under way.
The first Lower Silesian Forests Skate Marathon will take place on June 29. Competitors from both Poland and Germany will take part. Sports organizers from Bautzen will help organize the event. This is no coincidence—the competition near Bolesławiec has been included in the German Mitteldeutschlandcup racing series.
For Grzegorz Szociński and Piotr Konefał, promoting roller skating is the most important thing. “It is an attractive sport, but it is still little known,” says Konefał, a retired physical education teacher and a great roller-skating enthusiast. “The marathon features three distances, mainly to encourage as many people as possible to participate,” adds Szociński.
Skaters will compete over distances of 42.2 km, 16.5 km and 2 km. The shortest route will be prepared mainly with children in mind. The marathon will start at 10:40 a.m. on the sports field by Ruszowska Street. Detailed information is available on the website of the Osiecznica Commune Office.
(GA information)