Mayor Pencho Milkov launched the international race "Running of the Free Spirit Ruse - Giurgiu"
Sunday, 28 September 2025
The eighth edition of the international road race "Running the Free Spirit Ruse - Giurgiu" was launched by the Mayor of Ruse Municipality Pencho Milkov. The race brought together 300 participants from 11 countries - Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Ukraine, Uganda, Great Britain, Poland, Spain, Hungary, Ireland and Kenya. The athletes took to the 15-kilometer route, which started in front of the Courthouse in Ruse, passed along the central streets and boulevards of the city and across the Danube Bridge, and ended in the square in front of the Giurgiu Municipality building.
The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Mayors Borislav Rachev and Dimitar Nedev, Deputy Mayor of Giurgiu Municipality Marian Damian, Chairman of the Sports and Athletics Club “Dunav” Evgeni Ignatov, Eleonora Gurbanova – Regional Coordinator for the Municipality of Ruse under the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the legend of Bulgarian athletics Anelia Nuneva.
In his welcome speech, Mayor Pencho Milkov addressed the participants with the words: “Today Ruse once again shows that it is a city of spirit, of aspiration and of the power to overcome boundaries. Athletes from three continents gather at this starting line, united by the love of sport and the desire to win. You carry with you not only your national colors, but also the belief that a free spirit knows no limits. I wish you inspiration on the course, an honest fight and the feeling of true victory – the victory over yourself.”
The race is included in the calendar of the European Athletics Federation and once again becomes a sports holiday for the region. Among the participants are some of the strongest Bulgarian runners, the prize-winners of the previous edition, as well as athletes from the age groups 45+ and 50+. The oldest competitor is 78-year-old Ivan Grozev, who has been at the start since 2016.
Each finisher will receive a commemorative medal and a T-shirt, and the winners in the general classification and by age group will be awarded cash prizes from the total prize fund of 6,500 euros.
To ensure the smooth running of the event, temporary traffic restrictions were introduced in Ruse and on the Danube Bridge. The organizers are the Municipality of Ruse and the Sports Athletics Club "Dunav".
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