Ludbreg is organising the Startaj srcem charity race for the first time, an event that combines sport and humanitarianism. The race is being held in cooperation with the Ludbreg Athletics Club, the Croatian Red Cross and the City of Ludbreg, with funds raised through entry fees earmarked for the Croatian Red Cross's Solidarnost na djelu (Solidarity in Action) campaign.
The aim is to purchase medical beds, anti-decubitus mattresses, wheelchairs, crutches, toilet chairs, also known as princess chairs, and walkers. The Ludbreg Athletics Club is responsible for organising the sporting aspect of the event.
The race will take place at the Sare Kolak Sports Park, which will serve as both the start and finish line. Adults will run a course of approximately three kilometres, passing along the Bednja River, Otok mladosti (Island of Youth) and the Ludbreg lakes. The start for the adult race is scheduled for 10:00, while the children's races begin at 11:00.
The youngest participants will be divided into six age categories, with distances ranging from 60 to 900 metres for the little ones. All young participants will receive medals. Adults can register individually or as teams of four.
The charitable entry fee is €5 for children and €10 for adults, with the entire amount of humanitarian donations destined for the Croatian Red Cross to purchase aids. Registration is expected to be via the utrka.hr website and remains open until 20:00 on 18 November.
Mayor Dubravko Bilić said he was particularly pleased that people had gathered around this idea, willing to dedicate their time and effort to help others. He emphasised that the Croatian Red Cross knows well how great the need for such aids is.
Bilić added that the Ludbreg Athletics Club is showing that, although it is only at the beginning of its operations, it already has excellent ideas and a willingness to work. He stated that the City would be a support in the organisation and everything necessary for the race to proceed in the best possible order.
The Mayor expressed his hope that as many fellow citizens as possible would turn up, stating that it is not important how fast we run, but how many of us gather with the same desire to help someone who needs it.
