More than 1500 “ran the world record” at the shopping centre Spice!
15 April 2024From April 4 to April 14, at the Rimi Riga Marathon season event center in the shopping center “Spice,” everyone interested had the opportunity to try out for the first time in Latvia the specially imported world’s largest running track, attempting to run at the pace of the men’s and women’s marathon world records. The longest-running track in the world at Spice was part of the Rimi Riga Marathon, which will take place in the Latvian capital on May 18–19 as part of the preparation campaign.
During the eleven days of the invitation to “Break the World Record at Spice!” more than 1500 people took advantage of the opportunity to try out the unique running track, of whom 124 runners managed to achieve marathon world record times. Olympian Līga Velvere and triathlete Artūrs Liepa were crowned winners for running the longest distances at these amazing marathon world record speeds.
Out of the total of more than 1500 people who tried the giant running track, 124 runners—63 men and 61 women—managed to reach marathon world record times for a moment, collectively covering 53,524 meters, slightly more than the 42.195 kilometers of the marathon distance.
In the men’s competition, Artūrs Liepa managed to cover the longest distance on the running track at Spice, running 6513 meters at Kelvin Kiptum’s marathon world record pace (21.0 km/h), while in the women’s category, Līga Velvere held on to the running track the longest at Tigist Asefa’s impressive marathon world record pace (19.2 km/h), covering 2018.5 m. Both top performers will receive gift cards worth 100 euros from the shopping center “Spice”.
I've frequently seized a chance to run on the treadmill, as the conditions have been unfavorable for training in recent weeks. Naturally, Spice's giant treadmill is slightly different from the ones I use every day. Although it took some getting accustomed to, it was excellent for the event—noticeable, softening falls, and inspiring cheering from spectators.
It was a pleasure to participate, preparing to run in the DPD Mile at the Rimi Riga Marathon!
Līga Velvere
Athlete and "Spice" treadmill champion
In second place in the men’s competition was Kārlis Ancāns, covering 3204.8 m at the marathon world record pace, while in third place was Roberts Glazers with a result of 3025.8 m. In the women’s competition, Alise Petrova finished second with 1512.9 meters, and in third place was Līga Krūmiņa with 1213.6 meters.
During the eleven days, well-known individuals in society also took the opportunity to try out the special treadmill, such as musician Markus Riva, Latvian record holder in the 5km distance and Latvian Athlete of the Year – Agate Caune, rapper Reiks, Rimi Latvia chef Normunds Baranovskis, Mārtiņš Kapzems, and many others. Meanwhile, on Saturdays, April 6 and 13, were specially dedicated to kids’, inviting them and potential future champions to run alongside adults. Hundreds of kids’ and teenagers also took advantage of this opportunity.