Why You Should Run in Latvia
When you move to another country this is the ideal time to start a new hobby and, while in Latvia, running could be a new passion to start. Latvia has an incredible running culture, an activity that offers numerous benefits. Let me tell you why running in Latvia is a fantastic idea.
First, Latvia has stunning natural landscapes that are perfect for running. For a beginner, the lack of mountains will be an additional bonus. Whether in the city or the countryside, you’ll find amazing routes through forests, rivers, and the coast. A weekend run on the seashore will boost your mood and motivate you for the upcoming week. Latvia has well-maintained running paths and trails. The infrastructure is designed to encourage outdoor activities, with clearly marked routes and dedicated lanes for runners and cyclists. This makes it safe and enjoyable for runners of all levels. Every city has a public park or paths to try out in your daily runs. Also, Riga has beautiful parks like Mežaparks, Bastejkalns, Uzvaras Park, and Šmerlis which are ideal for a refreshing run.
Latvians are known for their love of outdoor activities, and running is a big part of that. Embracing this local pastime will help you stay fit and immerse you in the local culture. It's a great way to meet new people and make friends who share your interests. You can join a running club or take the initiative to get to know runners on your daily paths. Finding new friends is possible as runners tend to be open and friendly, especially when you have something to bond over. There are also numerous running events and races throughout the year in Latvia. From local fun runs to international marathons like the Riga Marathon, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to test your limits and find new friends on the running paths. Ventspils and Liepaja will hold their half-marathons in June, Kuldīga in August, and Valmiera in September. Still, there are many more and you will find other races with distances from 5km up to marathon length all over Latvia.
So, on this note, let’s also learn some Latvian phrases that could be useful while running:
Tavas kurpju šņores ir vaļā.
Your shoelaces are untied.
Cik kilometrus tu plāno skriet?
How many kilometers are you planning to run?
Kāds bija tavs rezultāts?
What was your result?
Vai es varētu palūgt padzerties?
Could I ask for a drink?
Cik garš ir šis maršruts?
How long is this route?
Kur ir tuvākais ūdens punkts?
Where is the nearest water station?
Vai tu zini, kur ir tualetes?
Do you know where the restrooms are?
Cik tālu mēs esam noskrējuši?
How far have we run?
Vai tu piedalīsies nākamajās sacensībās?
Will you participate in the next race?
Esmu noguris, vai mēs varam apstāties?
I am tired, can we stop?
Lai labs skrējiens!
Hava a good run!
So, lace up your running shoes and hit the trails! Feel free to share in the comment section your favorite running spots or upcoming running events in Latvia in which you plan to participate!
Lai labs skrējiens!
Vita, OLS Community Manager - Latvian