Photo: Manuel Asseff Blanco/ACN.

The seventh edition of the Friendship Race, held today in this capital, further strengthened the ties of Cuba and Russia on the occasion of the Day of Victory over fascism, a historical event that on the 9th of this month turned 78 years old.

This activity started at 9 in the morning in front of the main building of the Russian Embassy on the Island, located on Calle 5ta between 62 and 66, Miramar, municipality of Playa.

Approximately one thousand runners attended that place, as well as children and adult skaters, who completed a route of three kilometers and 900 meters, and were protagonists of an enthusiastic day of healthy recreation and physical exercise.

For the occasion, age groups from 12 to 65 years or more were summoned; and the winners in the dissimilar categories received prizes sent by the government of Moscow, the Russian capital, consisting of diplomas, sweater, cap, allegorical jug and others.

Minutes before the start of the race, His Excellency Victor Koronelli, Russian ambassador to the Caribbean nation, expressed the significance of the Soviet Union's victory over fascism in the great Patriotic War.

In the company of Osvaldo Vento, president of the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (Inder), he added that Russians like Cubans always won and will win in the face of any adversity.

It was also recalled that at that time the Soviet people paid a very high price with the death of 27 million people who were immortalized forever.

Marcos Fernández, member of the national triathlon team and winner in the free category, told the Cuban News Agency that in his first participation in that activity, achieving victory was a very pleasant experience.

He pointed out that the circuit had a nice view and completed it without much difficulty; While he assured that running this Saturday was part of his preparation for future competitions in the sport he practices.

The Friendship Race served to pay tribute to the victory of the Soviet Union and the Allies over Nazi Germany in 1945, a momentous event in the history of mankind.

The Inder, the Russian Embassy in Cuba and the National Commission of Races and Walks Marabana / Maracuba, with its director Carlos Gattorno at the front, were in charge of organizing an event that recalled that heroic deed that arrived at its 78th anniversary, and in which men and women who will never be forgotten were immortalized.

Photo: Manuel Asseff Blanco/ACN.

Photo: Manuel Asseff Blanco/ACN.

Photo: Manuel Asseff Blanco/ACN.

(With information from ACN)