OREANDA-NEWS. June 07, 2013. This year the marathon has been joined by Nordea Bank Russia employees who became a part of the Nordea running team.

More than 22 thousand people from over 60 countries of the world have taken part in the Riga marathon this year. The contestants could choose 4 distances to run: 42 km 195 m, 21 km, 10 km and 5 km. Nordea Riga marathon 2013 has been won by African athletes: a Kenyan runner Duncan Koech (who set a new record) and an Ethiopian female runner Aberash Nesga-Bedasa.

Riga marathon has been held since 1991, with Nordea becoming its general sponsor in 2007. In 2008, Nordea Riga marathon was acclaimed as the best marketing campaign in Latvia and in 2009 – as the most dynamically developing sport event in Europe. Thereupon, the marathon gained international recognition. In 2011, Nordea Riga marathon was awarded with the prestigious International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Road Race Bronze Label, becoming the only Nordic and one of the several dozens of global marathons to have been bestowed with such a high accolade.