After running in the half marathon in Bucharest in October, Yvette Larsson started her running sessions and discovered a Bucharest running club.

Friday evening I put the alarm clock on 7 am for Saturday morning. I was going to check out the Nike Running Club in Bucharest. Magda Sauvica , from 273 Places You Have to See Before Leaving Romania told me about those meet ups and I was curious to check it out. The members of the running club meet up every Saturday morning at the Herastrau Park and run the 7.4 km around the lake.

This Saturday it was rainy and cold. But runners don’t care. We dress according to the weather. When arriving at the park everyone is registered and the newcomers get a yellow armband. It doesn’t cost anything to go. Herastrau is a lovely park. I can only imagine what it could be like on a sunny day. Next Friday I need to put the alarm clock at 7am again for Saturday morning. I will go again.

Running in the Bucharest marathon in October is my running highlight in the city so far. It was a beautiful experience. I love running and doing it in a city like Bucharest with its long, grand boulevards and huge piatas (squares) was a pure thrill for me.

The picture above is from the Friday before the marathon, in Constitution Square the People’s Palace behind. I picked up my registration number and was set for Sunday’s run. On Sunday morning, the race day, parts of down town Bucharest were closed down due to the race. I thought it was amazing to walk there, from Piata Unirii metro station up to the starting point, Constitution Square, with no cars! – in Bucharest!

It was 26 degrees on October 7th. Pas mal! Not bad at all. First out were the Team Relay Racers and the Paralympians. Huge respect to those who do the marathons in a wheel-chair. Then it was time for the full marathoners and half-marathoners. I opted for the half marathon.

I think that is a very do-able, enjoyable distance. Anyone who is healthy with no injuries can train for a half-marathon. Training for a full marathon takes more time and above all, focus.

We were running the full Bulevardul Unirii, which starts by the Constitution Square and finishes by Alba Iulia Square. Impressive feeling! If I had wings I would have flown!

By Yvette Larsson, Guest Writer

Yvette Larsson is Swedish and in the last 12 years has lived in Norway, Denmark, England, France and the French Reunion Island.  She holds qualifications in languages and journalism from Umeå University, Sweden and has 10 years experience in sports management. Yvette now owns her Coaching and Leadership Consultancy business and is   currently blogging and writing a book about Romania, while searching for project opportunities in Bucharest. 

(photos by Yvette Larsson)