The Invictus Heroes’ Half Marathon, or in other words Undefeated Heroes’ Half Marathon, succeeded in mobilising over 1,500 runners from home and abroad, 280 volunteers, numerous spectators, as well as various institutions and partner organisations. The purpose of the event was to celebrate Heroes’ Day and to promote sporting activities and their benefits for health. Competitors of all ages and fitness levels tested their limits in the half marathon races.

Being a mass sporting event, the races had varying levels of difficulty. Participants could register for the Half Marathon (21 kilometres), the 5K Run, the Fun Run (2 kilometres), or the Children’s Race (for ages 4 to 14). There was also a Special Open Category for people with disabilities.   

Runners from the Special Open category. Image: Vasiliu Maria.

 Runners were given bibs in different colours depending on the race they chose, and those in the half marathon and 5K run had a chip embedded in their bibs which transmitted information regarding their speed and running time, with the results made public. For the smooth running of the event, volunteers were involved in distributing the kits, providing water along the routes, and handing out medals to those who crossed the finish line.

The day started early for the organisers, who began preparing the routes at 3 a.m, starting from Central Square 10, Mihai Eminescu Street, Unirii Square, King Michael I Municipal Park, N. Titulescu Street, Unirii Square, Dornei Street, and back to Central Square. The event kicked off with the national anthem performed by the military band of the 81st Mechanised Brigade. The first to start were nearly 500 runners competing in the half marathon. They had to complete the established route four times. Among the runners was a former 70-year-old athlete from Baia Mare, who never misses a sporting competition.

Ghiță Negru (aged 70), a former athlete, is currently active at Clubul Sportiv 57 Black Baia Mare. He completed the 21 kilometres in one hour and fifty minutes. Image: Pasztor Denisa.

Over 400 people aged between 14 and 70 took part in the 5K run. An emotional moment was created by a group of soldiers who completed the entire route together, chanting patriotic slogans.

The third race was the Fun Run. Here, you could see friends running while holding hands towards the end of the race, families with children by the hand or babies in their arms, and even little dogs accompanying their owners. At one point along the route, runners from all the races could be found. Some more enthusiastic, others more tired, but all eager to complete what they had started. It was heartbreaking to see people in wheelchairs struggling to complete the course. However, seeing the happiness on their faces when they received their medals, you could only take pride that these people were, in fact, true winners. After the last runner completed the 21 kilometres, the start was given for the youngest runners. They had to run alone on routes set according to their age groups.

In the end, we can only congratulate everyone involved: organisers, volunteers, runners, and the large crowd who enthusiastically cheered on the brave runners. We conclude with the hope that more events like this one will be held in our wonderful city.