Destination Race

The Rimi Riga Marathon, Latvia

Lat via’s capital cit y of Riga is really far north. Like, really far. Riga has a latitude of close to 57 degrees north (compared to 43 degrees in Toronto or 49 in Vancouver). That’s high enough to place it in the middle of Hudson Bay. With that in mind, somewhere like Riga might not be at the top of your list for a spring destination race. You’ve already endured a long and cold Canadian winter, after all, so going farther north probably isn’t the most enticing idea. But give Latvia a chance.

Although not a race that everyone raves about like the Berlin or London marathons, the Riga Marathon is one of the fastest-growing marathons in northern Europe, earning a Gold Label status from World Athletics.

The race is held annually in May, attracting tens of thousands of runners every year. No matter which distance you prefer, there’s a race for you, with 6k, 10k, 21k and full marathon options

offered. There’s also a 4.2k run held the day before the marathon in which children of all ages are invited to take part in the Kids’ Day Family Run along with their family.

So, other than its Gold Label status and a wide variety of race distances, why should you consider running the Riga Marathon?

First, the weather in Riga is actually nice at that time of year, even though it’s farther north than Ontario’s Polar Bear Provincial Park. In May, Riga usually sees temperatures of around 18 C – ideal for racing and touring this charming city afterward.

Also, thanks to Riga’s high latitude, the days in spring and summer are very long. By race day in May, the sun rises at 5 a.m. and doesn’t set until over 16 hours later around 10 p.m. Whether you prefer getting a pre-race training run in before breakfast or after supper, you’ll be able to do so in daylight. The long days are also ideal for exploring the city, giving you plenty of time to sightsee.

The race routes take runners along the cit y’s Daugava River, across one or multiple bridges (depending on which race you choose to run) and through downtown Riga. In 2019, the Riga Marathon saw over 25,000 competitors across the five races, with thousands of enthusiastic spectators, cheering nonstop. With its beautiful architecture and cobblestoned streets, Riga isa classic ally picturesque European city and a wonderful place for a run.

In the days leading up to the r ace or a f ter wards, consider visiting some other Baltic nations close by. Four hours north of Riga is Tallinn, Estonia. Four hours south of the Latvian capital is Vilnius, Lithuania. A bus ticket to either of these cities only costs $20, and, like Riga, they’re both incredible cities with rich histories. If you’ve got the time, it’s worth extending your trip to see either (or both) of these cities, but if you choose to stick to Latvia, you won’t be disappointed.

The Riga Marathon may not be as big as some of the other higher-profile races you can find in Europe, but it ’s a race t hat should not be missed.