MARATHON NEWS

Thousands of athletes from dozens of countries participated in the Chisinau Big Hearts Marathon powered by Visa

Bright emotions, fantastic willpower, and incredible sportsmanship – the annual international marathon Chisinau Big Hearts Marathon powered by Visa took place in Chisinau. Thousands of athletes from different countries showed that a marathon is more than just a race – it's a powerful force that unites.
The Chisinau Big Hearts Marathon powered by Visa has been held in Chisinau since 2015, and each year this sports celebration gains more popularity both in Moldova and beyond. It gathers participants and sports enthusiasts from dozens of countries, enhancing Moldova's positive image, showcasing it as a modern and sports-driven nation promoting humanistic values and a healthy lifestyle.

This year, 10 000 athletes participated in the Chisinau Big Hearts Marathon powered by Visa. The races took place in the heart of the Moldovan capital on September 23-24, reflecting the unity of athletes. A marathon is more than just a race, it is proof that we are together. Each of us is unique, but together we gain new strength. After all, together we are friends, colleagues, family, a team. We are a nation! Even the unique design of the finisher's medal was made in such a way that the 2023 medals can be assembled into large hearts, further highlighting the unity of marathon runners.

The Chisinau Big Hearts Marathon powered by Visa was an incredibly vibrant and massive event. Adult athletes competed in the main distances: 5, 10, 21, and 42 km. Children's races were held within the framework of the Moldcell Big Hearts Kids Marathon powered by Visa. The Marathon for All featured athletes with special needs, overcoming distances of 5, 10, 21, and 42 km, showing indomitable will. The Fun Run was the most populous and cheerful, a free 1.5 km race for everyone.

Winners of competitive categories received cash prizes and gifts from sponsors, and every athlete who completed the chosen distance within the set time limits received finisher's medals.

So, it's time to announce the winners!

Among the child participants of the Moldcell Big Hearts Kids Marathon powered by Visa, the first to finish were:
Age Group 5-6 years:

Girls:

  1. Cozonac Alina - 0:2:12.1
  2. Bordei Valeria - 0:2:27.7
  3. Camenschi Camelia - 0:2:28.1
Boys:

  1. Harștea Daniil - 0:2:11.8
  2. Martinovschi David - 0:2:13.2
  3. Lîsîi Alexander - 0:2:14.5
Age Group 7-8 years:

Girls:

  1. Opuhova Ana - 0:4:36.0
  2. Lupusor Valeria - 0:4:37.8
  3. Camenschi Maria - 0:4:50.2
Boys:

  1. Mazur Alexandru - 0:4:11.2
  2. Corjan Robert - 0:4:16.4
  3. Topeha Evghenii - 0:4:17.1
Age Group 9-10 years:

Girls:

  1. Luchin Polina - 0:6:39.4
  2. Bortnik Oleksandra - 0:6:39.6
  3. Ivanciuc Melissa - 0:7:14.6
Boys:

  1. Olari Vlad - 0:6:28.1
  2. Dvorschi Ștefan - 0:6:41.8
  3. Ovcinnicov Serghei - 0:6:42.3
Age Group 11-13 years:

Girls:

  1. Uncu Sofia - 0:11:46.3
  2. Daticov Lina - 0:12:40.1
  3. Pitica Sofia - 0:14:09.4
Boys:

  1. Brasovschi Mihai - 0:9:54.1
  2. Suruceanu Călin - 0:9:56.8
  3. Grib Stanislav - 0:10:15.1
In the Chisinau Big Hearts Marathon powered by Visa races, the first to cross the finish line were:

5 km distance:

Women:

  1. Pasa Iulia - 0:20:44.3
  2. Surkova Polina - 0:21:44.1
  3. Razmerita Irina - 0:21:38.5
Men:

  1. Ivancenco Vladislav - 0:17:27.0
  2. Talchiu Alexandr - 0:17:40.8
  3. Mocanu Daniel - 0:17:45.9
10 km distance:

Women:

  1. Stavila Andreea - 0:38:15.9
  2. Cernat Ecaterina - 0:39:05.7
  3. Veselkova Nadiia - 0:42:22.6
Men:

  1. Luchianov Ion - 0:33:49.4
  2. Ivanciuc Gabriel - 0:34:52.1
  3. Ivanov Veniamin - 0:35:59.2
Half-marathon, 21 km distance:

Women:

  1. Botnari Mihaela - 1:25:33.0
  2. Zbirnea Natalia - 1:28:14.1
  3. Harmash Sofiia - 1:32:44.2
Men:

  1. Sirius Ivan - 1:08:43.7
  2. Buzulan Gheorghe - 1:12:18.3
  3. Pavlenco Nicolae - 1:14:11.3
Marathon, 42 km distance:

Women:

  1. Sacara Zinaida - 3:13:22.0
  2. Soderamark Frida - 3:13:40.5
  3. Cretu Elena - 3:24:06.2
Men:

  1. Gheorgita Vitalie - 2:38:17.4
  2. Gorbusco Nicolai - 2:42:31.4
  3. Shvets Vyacheslav - 2:50:26.5
In the Marathon for All, the fastest finishers were:

5 km distance:
Women:

  1. Caracula Oxana - 0:32:07.8
  2. Ghinet Roxana - 0:33:12.2
  3. Ilovan Olesea - 0:34:28.0
Men:

  1. Balan Radu - 0:25:58.2
  2. Russu Dmitrii - 0:29:20.6
  3. Bulgaru Andrei - 0:29:52.4
10 km distance:

Women:

  1. Balan Radu - 0:25:58.2
  2. Russu Dmitrii - 0:29:20.6
  3. Bulgaru Andrei - 0:29:52.4
Men:

  1. Gorelco Vitalie - 0:58:23.7
  2. Ilievici Olimp - 0:58:56.9
  3. Chereches Adrian - Vlăduț - 1:07:23.5
Half-marathon, 21 km distance:

Women:

  1. Franciv Anna - 2:00:46.3
  2. Dmitriuc Nadejda - 2:00:50.5
Men:

  1. Costin Comșa VIorel - 1:45:44.6
  2. Radcovschi Artur - 1:53:10.1
Marathon, 42 km distance:

Women:

  1. Sobcinskaia Natalia - 3:47:18.6
Men:

  1. Catalin Creangă - 1:58:23.1
  2. Bardij Anatoli - 3:20:06.7
  3. Cuzuc Dmitrii - 3:46:39.4
A huge thank you to all participants and fans for supporting the most incredible sports festival of the year!

The organizers of the Chisinau Big Hearts Marathon are the public sports organization Sporter, which has remained the only organizer of marathon races in Moldova for over 10 years, as well as 999.md – the most popular online bulletin board in our country.

Participants and organizers of the marathon express their gratitude to everyone who helped organize it!

The Chisinau Big Hearts Marathon powered by Visa was supported by the General Mayor's Office of Chisinau municipality and the General Department of Education, Youth, and Sports.

The marathon's general partner is the VISA payment system.

Title partners: Representation of the Embassy of the Swiss Confederation in the Republic of Moldova, title partner of the Big Hearts Kids Marathon – the company Moldcell, title partner of the 42 km race – 999.md, title partner of the 21 km – Petrom, title partner of the 10 km – the Linella network, title partner of the 5 km – Otp Bank, general partner of the Relax Zone – Dormeo, title partner of the volunteer team – Just Consult, title partner of FoodZone - Andy's.

Official partners include the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR, Tymbark, Invitro Diagnostics, MedPark, Puma, Dita Hyper Farmacie, Aimo, Garmin, GRAFIT, PROCREDIT BANK, BALKAN PROHEALTH, DUCK, Cronograf.

The official car of the marathon is BMW. Massage partner – TRAUMEEL S. Expo partner – Redbull. Runners' Music Zone partner – MallDova. Electric scooter partner – Duck. Official water – OM.

Media partners – HIT FM, TV 8, Afisha, Point, and Stiri.

The 2023 Marathon is over. Getting ready for the Chisinau Big Hearts Marathon 2024!