75 years of tradition: the anniversary athletics relay dedicated to Victory Day took place in Zelenodolsk.

      According to tradition, the celebration of Victory Day in Zelenodolsk began with a track and field relay race for the prize of the newspaper "Zelenodolskaya Pravda." This year, the sports holiday turned 75 years old — it still brings together hundreds of schoolchildren and students from the city. Participants of the traditional race gathered on the central street of the city, near Victory Square. The relay was conceived by local journalists back in 1951, and today the event is dedicated to the veterans of the Great Patriotic War. "Today, there are only two front-line soldiers left in the Zelenodolsk district — Nikolai Levagin and Akhat Latypov. For schoolchildren and students, participating in the relay is not just a sports challenge, but a matter of honor and an opportunity to express deep respect for the heroes who defended peace," noted correspondent Tatyana Kovarina. For many participants, the race became a personal dedication to their victorious ancestors. "I dedicate this race to those who participated in the Great Patriotic War, who gave their lives for the Motherland," shared Linara Khairullina, a student of the Shipbuilding College. These competitions are among the most anticipated of the academic year. Here, sports are inextricably linked to patriotism. "Today, 10 general education institutions and 3 secondary specialized educational institutions are participating in the relay. Preparation went smoothly. As usual, the organization is handled by school No. 4, which implements a track and field department," said Maria Petrova, head of the sports department of Zelenodolsk. The first to take to the distance were students of grades 6-8. The young athletes had to overcome 10 stages — from Victory Square to the "Ring" and back. This start is a way not only to remember the feat of the Soviet people but also to become part of the city's great history. "75 years ago, Zelenodolsk journalists became the initiators of the first track and field relay. Back then, it was held in a different format: not only runners participated, but also cyclists and even motorcyclists. Years went by, the format changed, but one thing remained unchanged — the team spirit of all participants," noted Vladimir Vitovsky, head of the Information Center "Zeleny Dol." The second to start were high school students and college students. It was in this race that the main competition for the traveling cup unfolded. "The race was important to me. It wasn't just about running; the main thing was to defend the honor of the school, to show how worthy we are of this place. My grandfather was a participant in the Great Patriotic War, dedicated his whole life to sports, and this love was passed on to me," shared Malika Valeeva, a student of Gymnasium No. 3. All teams gave their all. This year, the traveling cup of "Zelenodolskaya Pravda" went to the absolute champions — the team of Lyceum No. 3. The guys achieved the incredible: they broke the twenty-year-old track record, completing the distance in just 7 minutes and 20 seconds. At the finish line, each participant received a commemorative medal and a sweet gift — a cake from the Zelenodolsk bakery. The relay once again proved: the memory of the feat is alive as long as it is preserved by new generations.

      Tatyana Kovarina

      More news about the event:

      The track and field race "Marathon of Victory" was held in Bugulma. The competition was dedicated to the celebration of the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. 16:02 09.05.2026 Bugulminskaya Gazeta - Bugulma

      75 years of tradition: the anniversary track and field relay for Victory Day took place in Zelenodolsk. According to tradition, the celebration of Victory Day in Zelenodolsk began with a track and field relay race for the prize of the newspaper "Zelenodolskaya Pravda." This year, the sports holiday turned 75 years old — it still unites 14:24 09.05.2026 News of Zelenodolsk - Zelenodolsk

      News from neighboring regions on the topic:

      A traditional track and field relay took place in Penza. The sports competition was dedicated to Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. 20:26 09.05.2026 City Penza - Penza

      Sergey Vasyanin presented awards to the winners of the track and field relay. On May 9, a traditional track and field relay dedicated to Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 took place in Penza. 19:54 09.05.2026 Penza City Duma - Penza

      The track and field relay in memory of Marshal Pokryshkin is traditionally held in Novosibirsk on Victory Day. The relay in memory of our legendary pilot and fellow countryman, Marshal Alexander Pokryshkin, has long been firmly established in the list of significant events held in Novosibirsk on Victory Day. 21:36 09.05.2026 Ministry of Physical Culture and Sports - Novosibirsk

      In Salekhard, 16 teams competed in athletics in honor of Victory Day. Photo: Andrey Tkachev/Yamal-Media. A track and field relay for the Cup of the head of the Yamal capital took place in Salekhard. 18:31 09.05.2026 Yamal-Media - Salekhard

      It became known who won the festive relay on May 9 in Penza. On May 9 in Penza, near the Monument to Military and Labor Glory of the Penza residents, the traditional track and field relay dedicated to Victory in the Great Patriotic War took place for the 80th time. 18:02 09.05.2026 1Pnz.Ru - Penza

      The team of the investigative department participated in the traditional track and field Relay of Victory. On May 9, participants of the track and field Relay of Victory ran through the central streets of the capital of the Komi Republic. 18:40 09.05.2026 Investigative Committee - Syktyvkar

      The 75th track and field relay took place. Today in Lesnoy, in honor of the celebration of the 81st anniversary of the Great Victory, the 75th track and field relay took place. 19:10 09.05.2026 Administration of Lesnoy - Lesnoy

      88 circles of history: the Victory relay took place in Miass. Spectators watched with excitement as the athletes competed. Today, May 9, the residents of Miass not only bowed their heads at the Eternal Flame but also filled with the energy of sports excitement once again. 18:36 09.05.2026 Miassky Rabochy - Miass

      Minusinsk Rosgvardiya officers participated in a sports relay dedicated to Victory Day. As part of the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Rosgvardiya, Minusinsk officers of the non-departmental security participated in the city track and field race. 20:18 09.05.2026 UVO of the Russian National Guard in the Krasnoyarsk Territory - Krasnoyarsk

      The victorious relay. Another bright event on the day of the celebration of the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War was the track and field relay, which took place at the sports center on Norkina, 5. Representatives of organizations took to the start. 18:08 09.05.2026 Administration of Megion - Megion

      A relay in honor of Victory Day took place in Kaluga. Photo: Dmitry Denisov. On the morning of May 9, a race was held on the banks of the Yachen Reservoir in honor of Victory Day. 15:56 09.05.2026 Kaluga-Poisk.Ru - Kaluga

      Victory run: the 48th track and field race in honor of the Great Victory. Today, on the momentous day of celebrating the Great Victory, the 48th interregional track and field race took place in the central square of the city, which this year gathered a record number of participants — 430 people. 15:51 09.05.2026 Nelidovsky Urban District - Nelidovo

      Bailiffs participated in the city track and field relay of Victory. On the day of the celebration of the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, a track and field relay took place at the Combat Dacha. 15:25 09.05.2026 UFSSP - Kursk

      Maloyaroslavets began Victory Day with sports. An annual track and field race was held there, organized in honor of Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War and held for the cup of the head of the district. 15:04 09.05.2026 NgRegion.Ru - Obninsk

      The "Athletes of Kuban" relay took place in Kushchevskaya. Today in the stanitsa of Kushchevskaya, an All-Kuban track and field relay "Athletes of Kuban" took place. 14:43 09.05.2026 Gazeta Vpered - Kushchevskaya

      The relay for the prize of the newspaper "Zarya Urala": the RUSAL team won