We invite You to the international Vilnius marathon for the seventh time already. This year it will be arranged on 11-12 September.

The beginning of this race reaches year 2001 when the first run took place in central streets of the city. International Vilnius marathon started when authorities of the city and private structures of business started to maintain traditions of running, to encourage healthy way of living and agreed on organising an international running feast having ambitions to enrol Vilnius into a respectable list of world cities which organise marathons.

As yearly, the start and the finish of Vilnius marathon will take place in the main square of Vilnius, near the Cathedral. The course will extend in the central part of the city, most of it by the biggest river in Vilnius – Neris.

Participants of mini marathon will go for a spin round the symbol of the city – the hill of Gediminas castle, and participants of marathon and half-marathon will mostly run by the river Neris and bridges over it. We can name this marathon as “the green one” – Vilnius is a rather green city itself and runners will be able to feel not only greenness, but also freshness of flowing water.

We hope, that in near future marathon and half-marathon will become a home for 1000 participant from about 25-30 countries. Most capable Lithuanian marathon runners, also willing to participate in European championship in Barcelona promise to pariticipate in In marathon of year 2010 Vilnius marathon year 2010.

As well as last year, the programme of Vilnius marathon will continue for two days. The day before the main run, mass races of schoolchildren will take place in the Cathedral square and in Sereikiškių park. During the main run, participants will have an opportunity to choose from three distances: marathon, half-martahon and mini marathon (4,2 km). We will also arrange a show of high jump using format “city square” together with best jumpers of Lithuania.

Our aim – not only the sporting aspect of this race, but also a festival for the city. Vilnius marathon will be included into a programme of main cultural events in the city “Vilniaus Dienos” (in English - “Days of Vilnius” ), according to vice-mayor of Vilnius Mr.G. Babravičius – Vilnius marathon has an opportunity to become the brightest jewel in a crown of “Days of Vilnius”. This will include fairs of handicrafts and sporting tackles and many educational activities organised by Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania, projects of charity, competitions of fishing, and, of course, a necessary attribute of such event – “Pasta Party”. All activities will be held in the historical centre of the city in a very compact territory.

Vilnius is a versatile city. The oldtown of Vilnius - one of the biggest and the oldest in Europe. Museums, theatres, churches of various historical periods – for a runner who is interested in history and architecture. Lovers of nightlife will find a lot of night clubs and other places where to amuse themselves. All runners from other countries will be offered an excursion in the capital of Lithuania for free.

It is a cosy, compact and very “green” race in a friendly and autumnly romantic Vilnius, which is counting its seventh century and in Lithuania, which has just entered its second historical millenium.