Ural Federal University: More Than 16,000 People- Traditional Cross of Nations

The first full-scale “Cross of Nations” in Sverdlovsk Region for the last three years gathered 16674 participants, which took place on September 17. The race route traditionally stretched from the Main Building of the Ural Federal University along Lenin Avenue to Vostochnaya Street and back with a total of 2 km.

4,260 students of Ural Federal University from 12 institutes and the Military Education Center as well as students of Sverdlovsk universities and schools took part in the “Cross of Nations”. Besides, well-known people of Ekaterinburg ran the distance, including Ivan Alypov, Ural Federal University graduate and 2006 Olympics bronze medalist, Elena Chepikova, Russian biathlete and 1992 Olympics bronze medalist, and others.

The main innovation of this year’s “Cross of Nations” is the sport races for 8 km (men), 4 km (women) and 1 km (children and teenagers aged 11-15). The winners and medalists of these races were awarded on stage.

Before the start of the mass run, a flash mob “We Are Together Under Flag of Russia” was held on the square in front of the stage: students raised the national flag in the air accompanied by the Russian national anthem.

“Today you are running from the Ural Federal University along the beautiful main avenue of Ekaterinburg which celebrates its 300th anniversary next year,” said Dmitry Bugrov, First Vice Rector of the Ural Federal University, to the participants of the race.

In addition, there were traditional races in the nominations “Most Sports Family”, “The Youngest” and “The Oldest Participant”, as well as corporate and mass races of the districts of the Ural capital.