A lot of bright sports events are organized annually in the Murmansk region.
Holiday of the North
One of the main sports events that is held in the region annually in early spring is the International Traditional Holiday of the North and the traditional Holiday of the North of students, it is also called the Polar Olympiad. Competitions are held among participants from different countries, both amateurs and professionals. The beginning of the tradition was laid on March 30, 1934.
The Murmansk Ski Marathon is a major event of the Holiday of the North. March 31, 1974 is the date of the birth of the super marathon as part of the Holiday of the North. On this day, at a completely new ski start for the Polar Olympiad, more than six hundred athletes went to conquer the most difficult route of Murmansk. The news about the upcoming race made a splash among skiing enthusiasts. The starting protocol reflected the entire geography of the Soviet Union: the Far East, Siberia, the Urals, Kazakhstan, central Russia and the Baltic States. Requests also came from foreign guests. Skiers from the GDR, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Germany, Finland and Norway took the first start. Thanks to the super marathon, the Polar Olympiad became known outside the Soviet Union. Subsequently, ski tourists from the United States also became part of a large-scale competition in the ski world. To date, the marathon remains attractive to all people who are driven by a strong character, fortitude, endurance and a desire to overcome themselves.
In Soviet times, the length of the route was two laps of 29 km, today the marathon involves two distances to choose from: 25 and 50 km. By tradition, the start is given in a protracted marathon climb. A multi-colored ski crowd stretches along it. Professionals strive for space and, according to strategy, are selected from the total mass of skiers, while amateurs go steadily, keeping pace and following the rule: participation is already a victory.
A remarkable component of the Holiday of the North is the so-called Friendship Ski Track – ski races that take place on the territory of three states – Russia, Norway and Finland and start in Rayakoski – a small village on the very border of Russia and Norway. The Friendship Ski Run has been held annually since 1994, and both a professional skier and an amateur can take part in it. Moreover, you do not need any visas and passports to participate in the race. Every year the event attracts a huge number of participants.
Decade of a healthy lifestyle "Sports holidays of the Arctic"
During the New Year holidays and in the first week of the school year, a Decade of a healthy lifestyle "Sports holidays of the Arctic" has been held in all municipalities since 2019. Physical training sessions, flash mobs, photo and video contests on relevant topics, quizzes, sports events and master classes are held in offline and online mode throughout the region. In 2023, 161 different physical culture and sports events were held within the framework of the Decade.
Traditionally, during the New Year holidays, the possibility of free visits by the population to a number of regional and municipal sports facilities was organized so that residents of the Arctic region could diversify their leisure time by mass skating, snow-tubing, skiing, sledding, visiting swimming pools, hockey courts, sports grounds, etc.
The total number of sports facilities providing free services during the Decade was 139 units. The total number of the population who took part in the events of the Decade was 70,892, of which 17,381 people participated in the organized events of the Decade, 53511 people independently engaged in sports facilities.
"Cheerful Sunday"
The project "Cheerful Sunday" was launched by the Ministry of Sports of the Murmansk region in 2021. As part of the project, northerners in different municipalities have the opportunity to participate in free training in various sports.
The purpose of the project: free classes in accessible sports for residents of the Murmansk region under the guidance of professional instructors in athletics, fitness, stretching, workout, Nordic walking, as well as yoga and stretching instructors for beginners.
During the training, the project participants receive basic knowledge of these sports, after which they will be able to continue improving their skills together with the project instructors.
Festival of Youth Subcultures
One of the projects to involve young people in sports life is the Festival of Youth Subcultures. For the first time it took place in 2021 as part of the All-Russian running Day "Cross Nation". Its participants in the skate park were representatives of the most popular sports and directions among young people, such as skateboard, stunt scooter, BMX bike. Their performances were evaluated by the best riders of Russia, led by multiple medalist and winner of World Cups, Russian champion Maxim Kruglov. In parallel, dance battles and competitions for the best graffiti-style drawing took place.
The Murmansk youth liked the event so much that the Ministry of Sports of the Murmansk region decided to hold it on a permanent basis. In 2022, the Festival of Youth subcultures was held in January (competitions for fans of downhill skiing and snowboarding in the discipline "parallel slalom", "mini big air"), May (skateboarding, BMX, scooter competitions, dance battles, graffiti), September and December (team and individual slalom skiing and snowboarding competitions, master classes from professionals, ski jumping, interactive playgrounds).
