Sunday’s 2010 Nordea Riga Marathon enjoyed it largest participation ever. Photo used courtesy of Rigas Maratons.

RIGA ─ Sunday’s 2010 Nordea Riga Marathon enjoyed it largest participation ever.

Helped in no small part by beautiful sunny conditions 11,547 runners turned up to participate in this year’s installment of the increasingly popular event. Runners ages varied as much their abilities with the oldest participant born in 1929, whilst a further six were born this year.

Most participants opted for the 5 km race and were out seeking personal achievement rather than running record breaking times.

That was not to say however, the shortest race did not still attract serious competitors with Latvian Savčuks Constantine completing the 5 km distance in a solid 16:21.

Not everyone takes the marathon so seriously. Photo used courtesy of Rigas Maratons.

For those tackling the half-marathon, Latvian Valērijs Žolnerovičs prevailed in 1:05:40. In the female race Kenyan Irene Chepkirui claimed line honors in a time of 1:14:04.

The full distance marathon attracted an impressive international field with Moroccan Slimane Benazuzs crossing the line in 2:17:33 secs to claim the men’s race whilst Belarusian Marina Damansevica took the women’s race.

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