Valencia half-marathon 2025

The best proof that what I wrote last year about the Valencia Half-Marathon was true is the fact that I decided to run it again this year.

With limited race options, I have to choose carefully where to compete. The Valencia Half-Marathon makes that decision easy, it’s one of the best-organized and most enjoyable races in Europe. For returning runners, registration is even smoother: the organizers give priority to those who ran in the previous edition.

If you’re trying to run Valencia for the first time, you’ll need to enter a ballot in November. If you don’t get in, there’s still hope. Several official travel agencies offer guaranteed race entries as part of their packages.

This post isn’t about repeating what I said last year. It’s about sharing what was new. I also want to share what I learned this time around.

What Was New This Year

The Wardrobe Service

This year, I paid 6 EUR to leave my luggage at the start area wardrobe. It was absolutely worth it. Not having to run with my phone or other items made the experience much more comfortable.

Slippery Grids on the Course

After kilometer 10, the route passes along a street full of metal grids covering subway vents. When it rains (as it did this year and last), these grids can get very slippery. Tip: stay on the left side of the road, where the surface is safer.

The Energy of the Drummers

One of the things I love most about Valencia is the number of live drumming bands along the course. The beat of the drums has an incredible effect. It pushes you forward in a way that no playlist ever could.

My Race

I learned from last year’s mistakes. This time, I didn’t eat too much before the race. I made sure to finish my breakfast more than two hours before the start.

I started in wave 7 at 9:01 a.m. and took it easy at first, running the first 5 km at around 6:00 min/km. I planned to pick up the pace later. However, by kilometer 15, I realized I wasn’t going to finish under two hours. At that point, I decided not to push too hard. Whether it’s 2:02 or 2:03 doesn’t make a huge difference. I crossed the finish line in 2:04:11, an average result, but still 22 minutes faster than in Tallinn!

Our Team – “Trupa lui Fane” in Valencia

This year, five of us from Trupa lui Fane ran in Valencia. That made the whole experience even better. We shared the excitement, compared strategies, and celebrated together after the race.

Everyone had a strong performance, close to their personal bests:

🥇 Mihai – 1:24:54, our fastest runner, finishing among the first 2,000 participants
💪 Andreea – 1:34:52, the only one to set a new personal best
👟 Bogdan – 1:44:24, two minutes slower than last year
🔥 Sorin – 1:56:06, at his first SuperHalfs race, very close to his PB

Congratulations to all of them for their fantastic results!
And a big thank you to our coach, Ștefan Oprina, for helping us become better runners over time!

Valencia remains, without question, my favorite half-marathon in Europe.

Later that day in Valencia I met someone who didn’t look quite happy with his result.

Valencia 2025 reminded me once again why I love running. It’s the rhythm, the people, and the stories. These moments stay with you long after you cross the finish line.

PS.1 A Seagull and a Song

On race morning, I woke up early, opened the window, and saw a lonely seagull flying above the hotel. It reminded me of a Joe Dassin song I’ve always loved:

“Moi, de temps en temps, je me sens pareil
À cet éternel exilé
Lui, qui ne sait pas replier ses ailes
Moi, qui ne sais pas m’arrêter.”

A small, poetic moment before the adrenaline of the start line.

PS.2 Remembering the Floods of 2024

The day before the race, Valencia held a large protest. It was in memory of those who lost their lives during the 2024 floods. Last year, we left the city on Monday after the half-marathon. The next day, torrential rain caused devastating flooding that claimed 224 lives in the province. One year later, people are still unhappy with how the authorities responded.
It’s a sobering reminder that life is unpredictable. Every race, every trip, and every day, is something to be grateful for.

PS.3 Goodbye, Mihai Suba

On Sunday, October 26, the day of the race, Grandmaster Mihai Suba (1947–2025) died near Valencia in Spain. Before 1990, Romania had only three chess grandmasters — and Suba was one of them, a true original. He made significant contributions to chess, particularly in middlegame theory and the Hedgehog system. I’ve read a few of his books; Dynamic Chess Strategy was a particular favorite. He was admired worldwide for his creativity and deep understanding of the game. May he rest in peace — and may his ideas continue to inspire players for generations.

10 Years of Running: My Journey through Two Cities

This May marks 10 years since I started running. A full decade of runs, finish lines, and the quiet rhythm of feet on pavement. One month earlier I crossed the 12,000 km distance. I’ve written before about other key milestones in this journey, crossing the 6,000 km and later the 10,000 km marks. Both were moments that made me stop, reflect, and appreciate how far I’ve come.

A Tale of Two Cities

The 6,000 km mark was more than just a number, it marked the end of an era. I had spent five years running in Bucharest, where this journey began. Those were the years of building a base, getting to know my limits, and discovering what running meant to me.

Since then, I’ve spent the last five years running in Krakow, a city that’s become just as meaningful. New routes, different seasons, a different pace of life and yet, the same sense of satisfaction after every run.

Racing More Than Ever

After passing the 10,000 km milestone in late 2023, I didn’t slow down. Quite the opposite. I’ve run eight half-marathons and one 10k race in the last 2,000 km alone. This has actually been the most race-filled period of my running life.

What made it even better? Every race was in a different European city. Running became an excuse to travel, a way to combine city breaks with something I love. Explore during the day, race in the morning, and leave with new memories. I’ve shared stories from those races in earlier posts, but they continue to be highlights of the journey.

The Support Behind the Scenes

A big part of what’s kept me going has been the remote coaching and encouragement from Ștefan Oprina. He’s been in my corner all this time, offering structure, insight, and motivation. Having someone experienced guiding me, even from afar, has made a big difference. So thank you, Ștefan!

Setbacks and Slower Paces

Of course, not every step has been smooth. In January 2025, I pulled a hamstring. This likely happened because I pushed too hard on a treadmill session. I was running for 30 minutes at a steady, fast pace. That was a wake-up call. It’s been my only injury, but it reminded me that rest and balance are just as important as discipline.

Lately, my pace has slowed. I haven’t gone under 1:59 in a half-marathon recently. That’s been tough to accept at times, but I’m optimistic that things will pick up again, hopefully starting this autumn.

Looking Ahead

Next up: a race in Tallinn this September. And I’m genuinely looking forward to it. It’s not just about the result. It involves showing up and exploring a new place.

Because at the end of the day, that’s the most important thing: the journey continues.

With “Trupa lui Fane” in Bucharest – May 2025

A Personal Duathlon: Running and Chess in Bucharest

A traditional duathlon typically combines running and cycling. It’s less well-known than the triathlon, which includes swimming, cycling, and running—in that order. In both formats, the winner is the person who crosses the finish line first.

While I was in Bucharest this May, I experienced a rare coincidence. Two major sporting events were scheduled for the same weekend. One was the Bucharest Half-Marathon, and the other was the Bucharest Chess Grand Prix.

I wanted to participate in both, but unfortunately, the starting times overlapped. Luckily, the running festival included a 10 km race on Saturday morning, which ended before the chess tournament began. That turned out to be the better option. Not only did it fit my schedule, but running 10 kilometers requires significantly less energy than a half-marathon.

The venue for the chess tournament. Also the finish for the running was in front of the same building

I set myself a simple goal: to finish in the top half of both competitions. For the 10K run, this meant aiming for a time under 58 minutes based on the previous year’s results. For chess, it was more ambitious: scoring at least 5 out of 10 points. My best previous performance had been 4.5 points at the 2022 edition, and I hadn’t done much preparation this time.

The Running Phase

The day began with the 10K race, an event as well-organized as ever. The weather was perfect for running: cool (6–8°C) with a light drizzle. I started at a pace of about 5:20 per kilometer and maintained it for the first half. I was feeling strong. I sped up for the second half and dropped below 5 minutes per kilometer. I even sprinted the last 200 meters at a pace of 4/km.

I finished with an official time of 52:08, far better than expected. I placed 312th out of 2,957 finishers, putting me in the top 10.5%. However, this statistic is somewhat misleading, as most of the stronger runners competed in the half-marathon on Sunday. So, the field for the 10K wasn’t as competitive.

After the race with colleagues from Trupa lui Fane

A major factor in my performance was the training I did for a month with “Trupa lui Fane” in Bucharest. That preparation made a big difference. For context, I ran the Berlin Half-Marathon in 1:59:32, while the 10K time I just achieved projects to about 1:55:00 for a half-marathon. That gives me hope to break 1:55 at the upcoming Tallinn race.

Many thanks to Ștefan Oprina, who has helped me overcome health challenges and become a better runner over the years!

The Chess Tournament

After the run, I had time to shower and eat before the chess tournament began.

The tournament followed a 10 round Swiss format. That means each player is paired in each round with another player who has the same score. Each game was timed at 15 minutes per player. There was a 5-second increment per move. This is standard practice these days to avoid losses on time in winning positions. The schedule included 4 rounds on Saturday and 6 rounds on Sunday.

I started with 2 points from the first 4 rounds, not great, but acceptable. Sunday started well with a win. Then, I lost against a Candidate Master. I followed up with two more wins (one also against a Candidate Master). That brought me to 5 points from 8 rounds, achieving my goal of finishing in the top half. Unfortunately, I lost the last two rounds against stronger players.
In the end, I placed 213th out of 475 players. This result put me in the top 45%. Additionally, I gained 5 ELO points.

A New Type of Duathlon?

This experience made me think: what if we organized duathlons that combined very different events like running and chess?

One idea is to use a simple average of ranks or scores across both disciplines to determine an overall winner. A more refined method could involve using normalization. Each result could be compared to the best and worst performances in each category. This approach allows fair comparisons.

I was thinking of a way to compare results from independent events. In this case a rough formula could be:

Eval = 2×ELO Performance−Race Time (seconds)

The idea is to reward high chess performance. The higher the performance, the better. It also aims to penalize long race times. The lower the race times, the better. I’ll work on refining this formula in a future post.

A Special Chess Anniversary

This year marks the 100 year anniversary of the Romanian Chess Federation. With almost 500 players this was the biggest chess open tournament ever organized in my country. It attracted many strong players and also gave me the chance to reconnect with my chess roots.

I was delighted to see my former coaches again.

I first met Iulian in 1992 when he visited our class during a math lesson. He had just opened a chess club and invited students to join. Our teacher asked who already knew how to play chess, and a few of us raised our hands. He encouraged us to learn more about the game. Shortly afterward, I joined the club, and chess became a lifelong journey. Iulian didn’t play this year, but he was there coaching five juniors. I was part of his first generation of students; since then, many others have followed. Here we are 33 years later still enjoying the game.

Cristian, a chess master, coached me between 2018 and 2020 before I moved to Poland. He was one of the referees at the tournament and continues to coach young players. During our time working together, I focused a lot on the psychological aspects of chess—understanding how emotions influence decision-making. Chess often goes beyond logic; it’s also about how you manage your internal state.

I’m deeply grateful to both of them for their impact on my life.

Seeing them again, by chance, after several years was one of the weekend’s highlights. We’ve kept in touch, but nothing compares to meeting in person.

There’s a quote I really believe in:

“In life, what matters most is the people you meet and the books you read.”

What is life?

Berlin Half-Marathon 2025: A Memorable Finish at the Brandenburg Gate

The 2025 edition of Berlin half-marathon concluded my Superhalfs journey. Ending the series with the most impressive finish of all the races was a good decision. This took place at the Brandenburg gate. More than just an architectural masterpiece, the Brandenburg Gate stands as a powerful symbol of European unity. Before 1989, it marked the border between East and West Germany. It also served as a stark reminder of the Iron Curtain that divided the continent after World War II. As someone who lived through the communist era, crossing that finish line under the Brandenburg Gate carried deep, personal significance.

In the distance you can see the runners split in starting waves. Also some highlights of Berlin landmarks

This year’s race drew an incredible 35,000 participants to the start line. It was a chilly morning, with temperatures hovering between 4°C and 6°C. Runners could come with extra clothes that they donated before the start. It is good to get warmer before the start but not fun to sweat a lot during the race. The runners received a poncho at the end of the race to keep them warm in the cold wind.

At start they played Chariots of Fire by Vangelis to get the crowd in the mood for the race.

The race was very well organized with waves of people based on their earlier official times in other races. The start was from 10:05 AM but different waves started every 15 minutes. For example, I was in the wave of people with targeted time from 1:52 to 2:00 which started at 10:35.

Berlin’s course is flat and spacious, offering plenty of room to pick up the pace when you feel strong. Hydration points offered water and isotonic drinks at several stations. At the 12th kilometer mark, every runner received a free Maurten gel. Pacers were available for most goal times. For those interested, you could have your time engraved on your medal. You could also buy official race photos.

A band was singing this song around 10th kilometer. I will always associate this song with the Berlin half-marathon

I was not fully recovered after the pulled hamstring injury in January. I was cautious about the risk of not finishing the race. Nevertheless, this was my last Superhalfs race and I really wanted to achieve a time under 2 hours.

I started conservatively, averaging 5’49″/km for the first 5 kilometers, then slightly quicker at 5’45″/km over the next 5. By the 12th kilometer, we passed Potsdamer Platz and continued into East Berlin. The architecture here is unmistakably different. The former communist-era buildings are less charming. However, the atmosphere became increasingly cheerful. Bands played songs, and people encouraged the runners.

From the 16th to the 18th kilometer, we ran along Karl-Marx Allee. It is a grand boulevard so reminiscent of Moscow that it has stood in for the Russian capital in films like The Queen’s Gambit. Feeling strong, I picked up my pace to 5’23″/km for the final stretch. The last two kilometers are a straight shot down Unter den Linden boulevard. With one kilometer to go, I was still feeling good. I pushed to 4’56″/km as I passed under the Brandenburg Gate. I crossed the finish line in 1:59:32 — mission accomplished.

The spectacular finish of Berlin half-marathon

Our running group, “Trupa lui Fane,” had four members at this race. Bogdan ran an impressive 1:42:08, missing his personal best by just 3 seconds. Andreea and Mihai, the younger, faster duo, also had great races. Andreea finished in 1:35:47. Mihai finished in a blistering 1:25:04. For both, it was their second Superhalfs event after Prague.

Berlin was the final Superhalf race for Bogdan and myself. It was a project we started in 2022 in Copenhagen. We finished it in two and a half years. As mentioned the first Romanian finished the program last October. In Berlin another group of five Romanians got the Superhalfs medals. And speaking of medals, it’s a hefty one. It weighs 360 grams. That’s 60 grams for each of the six races.

With Bodgan once we got the Superhalfs medals. It was a 2.5 years journey!

I highly recommend the Berlin Half Marathon. Alongside Valencia, it stands out as one of the best running experiences in Europe. A heads-up for those eyeing next year’s race: a big change is coming. Entry for 2026 will be decided by lottery, with registration open from April 10 to May 22, 2025. The lucky draw results will be announced by email starting June 2, 2025. So remember: for Berlin, training hard isn’t enough… you’ll need luck too!

P.S. My next race is 10k on May 10th in Bucharest.

Rome-Ostia half-marathon

For those passionate about running, Rome hosts two major half-marathons each year. The first is the Rome-Ostia Half Marathon, held at the beginning of March, and the second is the Wizz Air Rome Half Marathon, which takes place in October. These races offer distinct experiences: Rome-Ostia takes runners from the city to the sea along a highway, while the Wizz Air Rome route winds through the city’s iconic tourist attractions.

This year marked the 50th edition of the Rome-Ostia Half Marathon. The race was first organized in 1974 by a group of young Romans with a passion for exploring the sea. Over the years, it has grown into a major international running event, attracting around 12,000 participants, with 38% being international runners in 2025.

Over five decades, the average age of participants has increased from 30 to 50 years, reflecting a shift in society’s approach to running and fitness. Notably, the first edition had only six female runners, whereas today, one in three participants is a woman—a remarkable sign of progress in gender participation.

At the start of Roma-Ostia Half Marathon

Rome-Ostia is a race I truly enjoyed. The wide streets ensure a smooth run, with no pedestrians crossing your path. After an initial section with a few turns, the rest of the race follows a straight-line route toward the sea. The finish line, set against the backdrop of the coast, is spectacular. The race is well-organized, with plenty of volunteers and excellent medical assistance. It’s clear that the organizers have perfected the event over the years.

If you’re planning to run the Rome-Ostia Half Marathon in the future, here are a few key things to keep in mind:

Baggage drop-off: You must leave your bag before 7:45 AM so it can be transported to the finish line in Ostia. Some runners missed this deadline and had to run with their backpacks.
Course conditions: The entire race is on asphalt, with two key climbs—one at km 6 and a longer incline between km 10 and 12. Be sure to conserve energy for the second climb.
Water stations: There are only three hydration points, so make sure to use them wisely.
Return to Rome: After the race, you can take a bus or train back to Rome, but expect long queues. If you’re in a hurry, consider taking a taxi instead.

My race was almost in jeopardy due to a pulled hamstring injury I sustained in January while training on a treadmill. My recovery attempts weren’t successful until I started physiotherapy, which finally helped me get back on track. To protect my leg, I ran cautiously at 6’30” per km at the start. However, in the second half, I picked up the pace so my teammates wouldn’t have to wait too long for me. In the end, I finished in 2:11:29, far better than my 2:25 pre-race estimate.

This year, four of us from “Trupa lui Fane” participated in the race: Lucian, Andrei, Bogdan, and myself. Andrei and Lucian are serious runners with good performances. With a time of 1:16:44 Andrei was in top 100 of 10500 finishers. Lucian also had a good race finishing in 1:23:11. Bogdan started fast but struggled on the hills, finishing in 1:46:46, a solid result, especially at the start of the racing season. He has time to improve in upcoming events.

One of the best parts of Rome-Ostia is its breathtaking seaside finish. Crossing the line under the spring sun, with waves crashing nearby, is an unforgettable experience. I highly recommend this race to anyone looking for a scenic, well-organized, and historic event. Here’s to many more anniversaries of the Rome-Ostia Half Marathon!

PS. History section. The Rome Ostia half-marathon finishes just two kilometers south of the place where the legendary poet and film director Pier Paolo Pasolini was killed 50 years ago. His voice, bold and unyielding, stood against the tide of extremism – until extremism took his life. In today’s world, where radicalism and division rise once more, his story is one we cannot afford to forget.

A song by Fabrizio de Andre dedicated to Pier Paolo Pasolini

Milano 21 half-marathon

Running becomes increasing popular in Europe. Milano has two important half-marathons, Stramilano in March and Milano21 in November. Both are flat, fast courses and are considered among the best routes in Italy. This year, Milano21 saw over 6,000 finishers, a 33% increase compared to the previous edition.

For years, Italy wasn’t a top destination for foreign runners due to a law requiring all participants in long-distance races to present a medical certificate. This rule was introduced after studies showed that improperly trained runners had a higher risk of heart attacks during long-distance events. However, since last year, foreign runners are no longer required to provide a medical certificate. Unfortunately, they aren’t included in the official rankings, which seems unfair, given they run under the same conditions as everyone else.

The race organization was solid, offering everything needed for a good half-marathon experience. However, the atmosphere was quite relaxed, with relatively few spectators lining the streets. On race day, temperatures ranged between 3°C and 5°C, cold but manageable for running.

Galeria Vittorio Emanuele, Dom of Milan, Szorza Castle are on the route of Milano 21

The Milano21 route showcases some of Milan’s most iconic landmarks, including Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the Duomo, and Sforza Castle. While the course design highlights the city’s attractions, about three kilometers are on cobblestones, which can be challenging, especially if wet. Personally, I prefer running on flat asphalt rather than uneven cobblestones. If you want to visit the attractions you have time to do that before of after the race.

The race’s start and finish were conveniently located near a shopping mall, allowing runners to store their belongings securely. My colleague Bobo and I stayed at a hotel just one kilometer from the starting line, making it easy to arrive on time. Although the November morning was colder than expected, we had ample space and time to warm up.

I started the race too fast, keeping pace with the 1:55 pacers for the first five kilometers. My optimism got the better of me, and I paid the price in the second half of the race. This time, I experimented with a new strategy, using three Maurten gels at kilometers 6, 12, and 18, and drinking water at kilometers 5 and 10. While the gels helped reduce discomfort, they weren’t miracle workers. Towards the end, I slowed down and finished in 2:04:30.

The race itself was quite fast; I finished around 5000th out of 6000 runners. As mentioned earlier, I wasn’t included in the official rankings, but the organizers provided a list of all finishers’ times, so you can calculate your position if you’re curious. Although my time wasn’t exceptional, I was relieved to complete the race without any health issues. This autumn, I discovered I have lactose intolerance and took steps to avoid complications during the race, which paid off.

My colleague Bobo had an excellent performance after setting a personal best in Valencia. He completed the race in 1:44:15, a great result for him. A funny moment occurred during the race when a tram turned onto the course, and the police briefly stopped runners to let it pass. Similarly, a police car crossed paths with the runners, adding an unexpected twist to the race!

Milano21 was my final race of 2024, marking a personal milestone of completing six half-marathons in one year. From an organizational perspective, if you’re considering running a European race, here’s my ranking from best to worst: Valencia, Cardiff, Milan, Lisbon, Helsinki, and Prague. Keep in mind that the growing popularity of these events means you need to register months in advance. Even Milano21 was sold out before race day.

For now I am back to running on the treadmill until spring when I’ll run in Rome and Berlin. Traveling for races is such a rewarding experience, it not only boosts physical fitness but also significantly improves mental well-being. Running and visiting Milano was fun!

Valencia half-marathon

This year edition of Valencia half-marathon was a real success. It was a perfect organization, the best from all the races I ever ran. During the race a new world record was established by Yomif Kejelcha from Ethiopia with 57:30. The weather and environment were perfect for running.

There are countless positive aspects to highlight about this event. I recommend that every major marathon organizer send a representative to run in Valencia and take notes. For runners, the course is flat with ample space for warm-ups, and it never felt overcrowded. Organizers provided water in bottles, gels, and isotonic drinks along the route. If you’re aiming for a personal best, Valencia is the place to be, the true city of running.

I traveled from Bucharest to Valencia with my colleague Bobo, and we stayed in a hotel conveniently located near the start and finish lines. We warmed up before the race began and started together.

My race was going well until the 15-kilometer mark. I clocked 10 km in 55:40 and 15 km in 1:23:17, maintaining a pace of 5:33/km. For context, I passed 15 km in Cardiff in 1:25:56. Unfortunately, I experienced stomach issues that slowed me down significantly, forcing me to walk the last kilometer, which took me a frustrating 10 minutes. My official finish time was 2:07:47- not ideal, but I persevered, received my medal, and added another super half-marathon to my list.
Over 24,000 participants finished the race, and the support along the route was phenomenal. I had heard before the event that they were aiming to break the world record and bring it back to Valencia, and I could feel the positive energy during the race. Light rain helped keep us cool as we ran.
Bobo had an outstanding race, running a negative split and gradually increasing his pace. He achieved his personal best of 1:42:05. Congratulations to him on a fantastic performance!

Bobo achieved a personal best in Valencia

Bobo’s achievement wasn’t a surprise; he dedicated a lot of time to training this year. I logged 1,200 km, while he ran a third more and incorporated various exercises. In running, results stem from hard work. There’s no substitute for proper training.

My T-shirt for this race was from “Trupa lui Fane”, a gift from Stefan just before leaving Bucharest. Runners from Trupa lui Fane have recently excelled, with four finishing under three hours at the Bucharest Marathon and winning multiple medals at the Balkan Championships. Bobo’s progress is another testament to the effectiveness of Stefan’s coaching. I also want to thank Stefan for training me remotely in the last years!

Valencia half-marathon is part of Superhalfs. You need to finish all six half-marathons to get the special medal. This was my 5th race with only Berlin left to finish the circuit. In Valencia the first Romanian to ever finish Superhalfs was Cosmin Gabinat. We congratulate him for this achievement! Here you can find a list with all Romanians participating in Superhalfs , 111 people registered at the end of 2024. Given the statistics, the next Romanians to finish Superhalfs circuit will be in Berlin.

Despite my challenges and results, I had an amazing time in Valencia and highly recommend this race to anyone looking to achieve great results!

Cardiff half-marathon

Cardiff half-marathon is part of Superhalfs which makes it one of the most attractive races in England. Initially my thought was to run there because it’s one of the 6 half-marathons you need to finish to complete the Superhalfs series. I didn’t know much about Cardiff or the race before going there; hence, this half marathon was a pleasant surprise for me.

By the time I wanted to register for the event in Cardiff, the registration was already closed. Generally, such races sell out more than six months before the event date, so you need to plan your participation well ahead of time. For example, by October 10, 2024, the Cardiff Half Marathon for 2025 was sold out. According to the organizers, all spots were sold within 12 hours of the registration opening.

If you are late and still want to run there, you can get help from a sports travel agency. Such agencies guarantee your participation and accommodation for a fee. They may also organize training sessions and a pasta party for their clients. This time, I went with Interair, a German sports travel agency, and I was happy with their services; everything was great.

On October 6th, it was a good time to run in Cardiff, with temperatures around 12 degrees Celsius and light drizzle at the start. There was enough space to warm up before the race. The runners were organized in waves, as is normal for a half marathon with 28,000 participants.

The start is at Cardiff Castle, and the route winds through the city, including the bay area, before returning to the center and the castle. The first part of the race is either descending or flat; from kilometer 15, it starts to ascend, with some hills around kilometer 18, and towards the end, there is a significant difference in altitude.

I started with a pace of around 5:40 per kilometer and maintained that until kilometer 10 when the two-hour pacers went ahead of me. I made an effort to keep them in sight for as long as I could. By the 18th kilometer, I was confident that I could finish in under two hours. Then the small hills came, and I thought there was no way I would finish in less than two hours. Fortunately, with a final burst of energy, I finished in 1:59:58!

During the race, I used two GU gels and drank water twice, at kilometers 10 and 15. Water stations were available every 5 kilometers and also at kilometer 18.

One must remember that in England, races are marked in miles—13.1 miles as opposed to 21.1 kilometers in the rest of Europe. In this context, it’s useful to have an accurate GPS watch or to keep pace with the pacers if achieving a specific time is important to you.

As you can see, I’ve run many races in Europe, and I have never seen so many supporters encouraging runners as I did in Cardiff. The respect for runners is high in the UK compared to elsewhere. There were thousands of people spread over the half marathon distance, showing support for the runners. This can significantly boost one’s motivation to finish the race. I believe this played an important role in my success in finishing under two hours for the first time this year.

The other pleasant surprise was the city of Cardiff. The capital of Wales has a beautiful, typical British castle worth visiting. You can explore the bay area, the old market, and the city center. There is a village museum outside the city and a cathedral, but I did not have time to see them. There are nice restaurants and many people partying during the weekend.

The weekend after Cardiff, I traveled to Bucharest to watch the Bucharest Marathon and encourage my colleagues from “Trupa Lui Fane”. They achieved great results, with four of them finishing the marathon in less than three hours! That reflects a lot of hard work and training. There were also good results in the 10K, half marathon, and relay races. Many thanks to our coach, Stefan Oprina, who has been training me remotely for the last four years!

With colleagues and coach after their race in Bucharest

Cardiff was a great experience, and I encourage you to try it; it will be fun!

Prague half-marathon

In 2024, Prague set a record for participants, with over 13,500 people at the finish. The previous editions had about 10,000 finishers, so there was a significant increase this year. More importantly, 57% of the participants were foreigners. The fact that the race is part of the SuperHalfs helps increase the number of participants.

On April 6th, the day of the race, it was hot in Prague. The temperatures reached 28 Celsius, and the sun was shining. These are not the best conditions for running a long distance.

The race route goes along the Vltava River and crosses five bridges between both sides of Prague. It continues in the old center through Venceslas Square and next to the famous astronomical clock. I am not a big fan of running on cobblestone. I prefer running on asphalt and visiting tourist attractions slowly and not during a run. The finish was in the same place as the start in Bubenské nábř. area.

During hot weather, it is essential to choose carefully how you dress

My race went okay in these circumstances, as I know how to run safely in hot weather. If you want to survive a race in hot weather, you need to do a few things: stop and drink water or isotonic at every hydration point, wear a cap, wear a tank top (not a T-shirt), keep the pace in the safe zone, have a couple of gels with you.

I finished at 2:14 without any incident. It was my third-worst time ever, but that did not matter as I checked my third super half race and did not focus on time.

I am very serious about the weather problem while running. In Prague, 102 people fell on the street during the race for different reasons. Of these runners, 36 went to hospital. The authorities declared a trauma plan (a local form of a disaster plan). There was a campaign hospital called Golem at the finish line in a huge tent with air conditioning and ambulances driving people there and into the hospital. I lost the count of fallen runners I saw during this race. It was much worse than in Lisbon. In fact, the sound I heard most during the race was the sound of ambulances. The medical help was very well organized. As a kid in the 80s, I remember watching a Czech serial called “Sanitka” ( The Ambulance) on TV. It was like seeing scenes from those series in Prague that Saturday.

Muj cas

There are many news articles about the problems at the Prague half-marathon, all in the Czech language. I found this post by a Cardiologist, Hanka Štefaničová, who, as a participant, described what happened during the race very well.

What I learned. At the end of the race, there was a problem. The runners who finished had to go on a tight corridor guardrail by fences for 200 meters to get the medals, and then they would get water, bananas, and other refreshments from the organizers. A few volunteers handled medals to racers at the end of these fences. But too many people finished simultaneously, and the queue of racers waiting because of this bottleneck was very long. Imagine the situation: you run under the sun for more than 2 hours, then you have to stop under the sun for 10 minutes or more to wait for the medal. If you get no water, you will collapse.

After getting the medals, some runners understood the gap, took water bottles, and gave them to the people in the queue. I drank 2 such bottles until I got the medal. That saved the other runners and me while waiting in the queue. I know those were ad-hoc volunteers because they all had finishers’ medals on their chests. They were not organizers. At the time, I took the medal and was happy to get the baggage and talk to Bogdan after the race. It didn’t cross my mind to stay and become one of the ad-hoc volunteers to give water to people waiting in the queue. In my mind, I was a participant who finished the race and not an organizer. Sometimes, you need to get out of your role, become human, and do what it takes to help others, even if no one has asked you or is not expecting you to do that.

With Bogdan, after the race. He had a good race in these circumstances, finishing in 1:50

Some statistics are relevant to what happened. For races with many runners, I look at the time of the runner who finished precisely in the middle of all the runners. If the race has 10k finishers, I look at the time of the runner who finished exactly at 5k at the finish. The table below clearly shows how external factors influence race results.

City	Date	Finishers	Middle time
Warsaw	18.03.2024	13422	1:55:20
Lisbon	18.03.2024	13247	2:02:40
Prague	06.04.2024	13557	2:03:40

There are considerable differences in time when the weather is hot. The route in Warsaw is more difficult than the other 2. I can say that as I ran all 3 half-marathons (Warsaw in 2022).

I have some suggestions for the organizers. For example, they could give runners bottles of water instead of glasses. The volunteers were overwhelmed and did not have enough time to pour water into glasses to give to runners. At the finish, they could have more people to handle medals. Also, if possible, provide water to people once they finish and don’t let them wait under the sun. Set the check time posts in the farthest areas of the route, where people need to turn around. This is a simple mechanism to avoid cheating.

Despite the problems mentioned above, the organizers did a good job overall. A positive note for the area to leave and pick up baggage: it was the best organized I have ever witnessed. The rest of the nice things are expected for major half-marathons: SMS with your result, pictures after the race, refreshments during and after the race.

As for my plans, I traveled by plane four out of five consecutive weekends in March and April for events covered in this blog. It is time to rest and train before my next half-marathon in Helsinki in May.

Trupa lui Fane’s motto: “Together we are stronger!”

10000 km run in 8 years

I started running in 2015. After 8 years, I recently crossed a distance of 10k km running. I am happy with my motivation to continue running for 8 years at an average of 2 miles (3.2 km)/day. The 10k km is not a long distance for 8 years. People who want performance in running should aim for at least twice as much as I did. A professional runner covers a distance four times longer than I did within the same time, so 10k km in just two years!

Statistics say I ran, on average, over 100 km each month. The total time spent on running is 41 days, or 1.5% of 8 years. It was the best time invested in one activity as it gave me much health in return. My average pace was 5’52” per km. I ran alone for 6 out of the 8 years.

Of great help for me was running with the running group “Trupa lui Fane”. Although I moved to Krakow in 2020, we continued the collaboration remotely all these years. Many thanks to Stefan Oprina and “Trupa lui Fane” members for their support!

I crossed the 10k km mark at the last training before running the half-marathon in Bucharest. This way, the first and the last of the 10k km were run in the same stadium (the one in the picture above).

My first half-marathon was 8 years ago at Bucharest MIB. As mentioned in a previous post, to celebrate this distance milestone, I chose to run this year’s edition of the same half-marathon in Bucharest on October 15th. I participated in 6 of the last 8 editions of MIB.

With Bobo at the start. He finished 12 minutes ahead of me. Great run!

The organization for this event was amazing, as usual. Music bands, water and isotonic, pacemakers, and many volunteers make it a great event. The only thing I would like to see improved is the opportunity for runners to buy their photos at a good resolution and without a watermark. The pictures are free now but with a watermark, as shown above and below.

I wasn’t in good shape for this half-marathon, but I know my limits well. It was also hot that day, not ideal for running.

I kept my pace around 5’30” for most of the race, with the last 2 km being the most difficult, and ran harder for the final straight line. My official time was 1:57:40.

I met many people I knew before or during the half-marathon. This was cool and makes MIB my favorite race. You get in line with someone you know, exchange a few words, and continue the race. Precisely like in life, only at a different pace.

I registered for 3 half-marathons in the spring 2024 to celebrate this achievement. Lisbon on March 10th, Prague on April 6th, and Helsinki on May 11th. Lisbon and Prague are part of the “super halves”, while Helsinki has a unique story. Superhalfs are a series of 6 essential half-marathons in Europe. You get an additional medal if you finish all 6 in 5 years or less.

Celebrating with colleagues after the finish

Running shaped my personality and helped me deal with many things in life. I met great people while running. It is a walk of life that you can do at a slower or faster pace, how you like it. During the first years, it was hard to motivate myself to go outside in cold weather and run. I had no coach at the time and did everything alone. Today, I am happy I chose to continue running those days despite the hardships.

I had no talent for running and no experience before I started to run. It is never too late to change your life and run, even if this is not your strength. If I could do it, everyone can.

“I’m learning to fly, but I ain’t got wings.” – I saw running as a way to learn to fly.