The Spartan Race in Bielsko-Biała!

Almost 1900 competitors from 23 countries and three continents stood at the starting lineup of obstacle races organised by Spartan Race around Mounts Dębowiec and Szyndzielnia in Bielsko-Biała. The weather was challenging and the obstacles themselves required strength and determination.

The Spartan Race - the largest obstacle course race in the world - took place on 3 August in Bielsko-Biała, the capital of the Podbeskidzie area. The competition was organised over several distances. Participants in the Super Race (10 km and 25 obstacles) ran from the Sports and Entertainment Hall up to Mount Dębowiec to Mount Szyndzielnia and back. The Sprint (5 km and 20 obstacles) also began at the Sports and Entertainment Hall and led through Dębowiec to the Dylówka Pass and back. There were several routes for the Kids Race, for children aged 4 to 14 years old, ranging from a distance of 0.8 km to 4.5 km and with 10 to 20 obstacles. Almost 1900 competitors from 23 countries and 3 continents stood at the starting lines. They came from Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Germany, Great Britain, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, Belarus, Romania, Austria, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Serbia, Malta, Israel, Canada, the United States, the Philippines and, of course, Poland.

Disabled competitors also covered these routes. Runners across the main distances included a leg amputee who ran 10 km in the morning on crutches and who was assisted by female partner. An hour later he set off on the 5 km route. Another was a wheelchair competitor who covered 5 km with her support team, helping her to overcome the mountain sections and obstacles.

A Spartan Special Race was organised for children with special needs from our region in collaboration with the ADA Association. They covered the same route (and obstacles) as all children. They were supported in this by numerous volunteers - including staff from the Social Policy Department at Bielsko-Biała City Hall, the best competitors from Poland and the City Mayor, Jarosław Klimaszewski. The mayor welcomed the participants at the start, wishing them every success in the race and at the finish line he presented medals and prizes. The Special Race was a response to the needs reported by some residents during meetings held at Punkt 11 as part of the city's bid to become the European Capital of Culture 2029.

The event involved over 100 volunteers, half from Poland and the other half from abroad. The latter included representatives from Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, and Great Britain. They were provided with accommodation and hot meals at the Sports Hall at Dębowiec. There were also almost 40 persons representing the main organiser plus staff from City Hall and municipal companies.

Owing to the international nature of the event, briefings and meetings were held in Polish, Slovak, Czech, and English. This was an important test of the city's ability to organise large international events, with the participation of many people - from spectators, through participants, volunteers, to organisers - speaking many different languages and requiring intersectoral cooperation.

The organisers of the event highlighted the following on their social media: We weaved wellbeing by overcoming obstacles. Building weaves of people, friendship and cooperation between people from different countries, intertwining sports with culture, supporting each other and taking into account the wellbeing of people with special needs. We achieved this by making full use of the potential of the area and its residents. Together we took care of our inner equilibrium. Working as an international group, we gained valuable experience (#moje sploty – my weaves), and the proximity of the route out in the natural environment, combined with the urban infrastructure, harmonised with the weaves of the world. Feedback from the participants was very positive. They appreciated the qualities of the city, the mountains, the route profile, the organisation, accessibility and SAFETY.