"From 101 to 112": In Vitebsk, 80 rescuers participated in the "New Year's Race of the Strongest"
Such runs are becoming a good New Year's tradition, and the number of participants always symbolizes important dates for the Vitebsk region. For example, in 2023, the Year of Peace and Creation, the "Race of the Strongest" took place on Mira Street and was dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the formation of the Vitebsk region, with 85 rescuers participating and covering a distance of 850 meters.
This year, the number of runners is also not accidental. The figure 80 symbolically marks the outgoing year of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from the Nazi invaders and welcomes the upcoming 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
– With this run, the rescuers of the Vitebsk region urge residents and guests of the city to observe life safety rules 365 days a year, – said Sergey Meshkyn, member of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, head of the regional department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. – In addition to the employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, members of our military-patriotic club "Rescuer" took part in the run today, because we understand how important it is to instill traditions from an early age and take care of the future of our country. Many members of the club now serve in the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and the guys are also part of the national team of the Republic of Belarus in fire and rescue sports.
All finishers received participant medals, and the prize-winners and champions were awarded memorable gifts from the officers' assembly of the regional department near the main Christmas tree of Vitebsk on Victory Square.
– Work always keeps us on our toes, as people's lives often depend on how quickly you can handle a situation. Therefore, even though running in gas masks and gear weighing over 20 kg was not easy, we are prepared for it, – shared his impressions of participating in the race, Vadim Grebentsov, an employee of the Vityaz fire and rescue squad.
Three women participated alongside the men, some of them for the first time. For example, Galina Kucherenok, a radiotelephone operator at Fire and Rescue Unit No. 2 of the Vitebsk City Department for Emergency Situations, had already run 850 meters in full gear and a gas mask, so this year the challenge was easier for her.
– Despite it being easier to run this year, breathing in a gas mask is still very difficult, and our men battle fire in this uniform every day, which earns our admiration. They are heroes! – said Galina Kucherenok.
According to the competition results, the winner of the "New Year's Race of the Strongest" was Anton Samsonov, an employee of Fire and Rescue Unit No. 2 of the Vitebsk Regional Department for Emergency Situations, and among the women, Galina Kucherenok showed the best result.