Record-Breaking 40 122 participants from 109 countries registered for the biggest Rimi Riga Marathon in history

18 May 2025

A total of 40 122 participants have registered for the Rimi Riga Marathon across all distances, making this the largest edition in the event’s history. The 35th anniversary of the Rimi Riga Marathon has also attracted a record number of international runners – 6,017 participants from 109 countries have arrived in Riga this weekend to mark the occasion.

The running festivities began on Saturday, May 17, with the Kids’ Day, featuring 8165 young runners. Alongside running, children enjoyed various sports and engaging activities along 11. November Embankment. Also on Saturday morning, 6052 runners took part in the DPD Mile, which featured as the Latvian Mile Championship. This included elite athletes competing for podiums and prize money, as well as families with children, participants in the “Inclusive Marathon,” school teams, and hundreds of workplace collectives.

The celebration continues on Sunday, May 18, with the longer distances. The half marathon has drawn a record-breaking 6261 runners, and for the first time ever, the marathon distance will see over 3,000 runners, with 3149 participants registered. The legendary Jeļena Prokopčuka will make her final elite start in the classic marathon distance.

At 12:30 PM, 6869 runners will take on the 10 km distance, while the event concludes with the most popular course – the 5.7 km starting at 2:30 PM and 3:30 PM, with 9563 runners. Like the longer races, this course also passes the Freedom Monument.

The total number of participants across all distances on Saturday and Sunday has reached 40 122, surpassing the previous record from 2019, when 38 398 runners took part.

Record-Breaking 40 122 participants from 109 countries registered for the biggest Rimi Riga Marathon in history

Photo: Lauris Vīksne

35th anniversary Rimi Riga Marathon – a grand event with record international participation

This weekend, the Rimi Riga Marathon is hosting a significant number of international runners – 6017 runners from 109 countries, which is a 40% increase compared to 2024. According to organizers’ surveys, each international participant is typically joined by 1.3–1.7 travel companions, meaning around 15 000 foreign participants and guests are expected in Riga for the marathon weekend.

Photo: Guntis Bērziņš

Top 15 Countries Represented at the Rimi Riga Marathon

#1 Germany – 623

#2 United Kingdom – 607

#3 Lithuania – 591

#4 Finland – 466

#5 Estonia – 451

#6 Poland – 295

#7 France – 238

#8 Canada – 241

#9 Sweden – 217

#10 Ireland – 187

#11 Italy – 180

#12 Denmark – 167

#13 Ukraine – 159

#14 Spain – 158

#15 Netherlands – 129

May 18 race start times

All starts at 11 November Embankment