“Rimi” Riga marathon program “My first marathon” has selected a powerful team of 12 ambassadors, where the participants are not professional athletes, but supporters of a healthy lifestyle. For 16 weeks, under the guidance of coaches and specialists, they will prepare for their first big challenge in long distances – a half-marathon or a classic marathon distance.
Since its inception in 2014, the main mission of the “My First Marathon” program has been to show the need for a well-thought-out training process and careful preparation, inspiring the public to exercise and long-distance running. The participants of the program will share their progress and experience on social media, thus inspiring their followers and the “Rimi” Riga Marathon community, as well as society in general, to move, train and run.
12 socially active ambassadors have been accepted into the “My first marathon” program – singer Aija Andrejeva, auto racer Reinis Nitišs, Olympian Kristaps Zvejnieks, “Rimi” team ambassador Jana Mahņova, psychology student Signe Lamstere, B2B growth promoter Inga Āboltiņa, social media team manager Arta Uma Upmale, choreographer Diāna Gavare, sports teacher Lauris Karlušas, TV3 personality Mārtiņš Spuris, real estate consultant Pavels Yemeljanovs, photographer and cameraman Krists Spruksts.
Seven participants of the program were chosen in a vote on LSM.lv, while five participants joined the program at the invitation of the organizers. Some of the team members already have a little running experience, while for others, the “Rimi” Riga Marathon will be the very first running challenge in their life.
“I want to fall in love with running, because actually I hate running, but I know that with the right training plan, I can really like running. Also because I’m turning 40, I want to do something cool by then,” Andreyeva justified her motivation.
On the other hand, Olympian and sports psychological preparation coach Zvejnieks has felt the need for ever greater challenges and a goal to achieve in recent years.
Runners will not be alone on their way to their first half-marathon or marathon – they will be prepared by two coaches, award-winning long-distance runners Anita Siliņa-Kažemākas and Ilona Marhele.
Trainers will create an individual running training plan for each participant, as well as meet with runners once a week for general training. Coach Nils Briedis will take care of the participants’ physical preparation and strength training.
“I love my work and I am very happy to be in the program “My first marathon” for the sixth year. Therefore, I enjoy each of my students to see their progress, because their small victories are the biggest fruits of my work,” explained Siliņa-Kažemākas. “I want everyone to fall in love with running and for it to become a part of everyday life, where to discharge, recharge, get additional emotions and energy.”
The satisfaction of being able to teach even one person the love of movement for both trainers is the greatest reward of the job.
“Future athletes are so different, but they all have a unifying factor – a half-marathon or a marathon. I am motivated by the way, with what steps, insights, adventures and experiences they get to the finish line. It is always a pleasure when someone manages to keep the joy of movement in the long term, so that they want to run more marathons and half-marathons,” Marhele explained.
Journalists’ preparation for their first half marathon or marathon will be as gentle as possible, providing what is necessary for healthy training. The participants of the program have already completed stress tests and health checks in the sports laboratory, as well as received running equipment. The participants are also expected to have weekly training sessions – in the winter they will take place in the “Daugava” athletics arena, and in the spring – in the stadium.
The organizers remind you that you can register for the “Rimi” Riga marathon, half marathon, 42 kilometer (km) relay, 21 km relay, 10 kilometer, 5.7 kilometer and mile distances on the marathon website. Registration for the Latvian School Cup has also started, but registration for the Children’s Day and the “Inclusive Marathon” program will open in the spring of 2026.
CONTEXT:
The Riga Marathon has been held since 1991. “Rimi” Riga Marathon is the most ambitious national sports event in the Baltic States, which annually gathers tens of thousands of runners from all over the world in the capital of Latvia. All distances of the “Rimi” Riga Marathon have been awarded the quality mark of the global athletics umbrella organization “World Athletic”, while the marathon and mile distances also have the status of the Latvian championship.
“Rimi” Riga Marathon in cooperation with the Children’s Hospital Foundation, “Rimi” and Latvian Television implements the charity campaign “Movement for movement”, in which more than 150,000 euros have been donated to children with movement disorders since its beginning in 2019.
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