The Run for Diversity 2005 reaches its final kilometres in Poznan

The last lap of the Run for Diversity 2005, was run at the Poznań marathon in Poland. We can now look back on a marathon year full of great moments and successes � both in terms of the personal achievements of the diversity runners and the ways in which the run increased awareness of the �For Diversity. Against Discrimination� campaign, at 15 different marathons across the EU.

The final run at the Poznań Marathon, Poland�s largest marathon, inspired more than 400 runners to dedicate their run to diversity. From the first starting signal in 2004 at the Paris marathon, more than 10500 people have run, wheeled, skated or walked for diversity at marathons and races across the EU. We whole-heartily thank everyone who dedicated their runs to diversity and actively supported the campaign.

For these reasons, we can look back positively at 2005 and to the eight runs for diversity that were all very different, many with highlights that we are proud to remember:

Jonava City Run

The first race in 2005 took place in Jonava, with the first wheelchair race ever to be held in Lithuania. The campaign organised the run for diversity and sponsored the event.

City of Rome Marathon

To spread out the campaign�s message to a larger public, the run for diversity was organised in Rome, at one of the world�s biggest and most important marathons.  More than 3600 runners, professional athletes and amateurs in the 5 km run, dedicated their marathon to diversity and promoted the message to the Italian public.

20 km de Bruxelles

The commissioner of Employment, social affairs and equal opportunities, Vladimir �pidla also supported the activity personally and ran the 20 km of Brussels himself.  He was accompanied by a team of more than 500 employees of the European Union who made a strong stance against discrimination by running for diversity. Commissioner  �pidla motivated the runners with a quote: "Diversity makes the European Union a better place to live in for everybody. Running competitions are by their very nature diverse events, attracting people of all ages from many different walks of life.  The "run for diversity" here in Brussels offers an ideal opportunity for the European Commission to make a public statement for diversity and against discrimination."

Siegerl�nder AOK Firmenlauf

Another strategy was created at the AOK Firmenmarathon in Siegen, when the run for diversity took part in a marathon organised by a German company. This time, the run for diversity was more than ever employment-related and raised awareness of the need for diversity in this particular region of Germany. 

Rotterdam on Wheels

There was even a world record breaking achievement at the Netherlands Run for Diversity � Monique van der Vorst, a female handbiker and Diversity Ambassador, won the female handbiking category and beat the world record time by over 2 minutes. Monique was joined by over 650 handbikers, skaters and also wheelchair users who committed to actively support the fight against discrimination.

International Wachau Marathon

The International Wachau Marathon was another great success, where over 600 runners participated in the run for diversity. The Austrian 2004 Paralympics� gold medal winner Andrea Scherney ran her marathon in the yellow campaign�s shirt and motivated many other runners to do the same. Manuela Resnik, an extreme sportswoman who ran the 53 km, told us:  �I have been asked several times where you can get this running shirt and have referred people to the website printed at the front of the shirt. I am proud to wear your t-shirt, not only during my 53 km marathon, but also tomorrow at the sport�s shop where I will be working.� But diversity runners did not have to be extreme sports people to run at Wachau. A relay event permitted meant that amateur runners could also take part in the Run for Diversity, such as the Austrian NWG-member organisation HOSI Vienna, a homosexual initiative who themselves formed a relay team.

Ko�ice Peace Marathon

In Slovakia, more than 650 diversity runners participated in the Kosice Peace marathon and set a sign against discrimination. The high interest of the Slovak public made this run for diversity a successful event for the campaign to spread out its message.

Poznań Marathon

And, last but not least, the Poznan marathon had also been a great success for the campaign. More than 400 runners decided to support the campaign and to commit to the fight against discrimination. The fastest diversity runner, Łukasz Kopeć, finished 28th.

Looking back, it can be said that it was not only the personal contact and commitment that made this year�s run for diversity successful, but also the multiple press reports and interviews which were given during these marathons. For this reason, the runs for diversity were communicating the campaign�s message not only on the spot, but also by the awareness-raising they provoked when journalists and other people watched these events.

Because of its great success, the run for diversity will go in its 3rd round in 2006. We will keep you up to date about new runs for diversity, in which you can participate and support the EU-campaign �For diversity. Against discrimination.� In a few months time, you will be able to find more information about new runs on our website www.stop-discrimination.info.