''Tjejmilen'' in Saint Petersburg for first time
The traditional Swedish 'tjejmilen' women's race was held in Saint Petersburg for the first time on 9 September. The Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Saint Petersburg helped fund the event. The centre of the city was invaded by women in the white t-shirts which were handed out to all the runners. Some 5,000 women of all ages took part, even though the weather was not at its best.
The starting and finishing lines were both in front of the Hermitage and the route led the runners along the main streets in the centre of Saint Petersburg. The fact that streets were closed to traffic also presented an ideal opportunity to behold the beauty of the city on the banks of the Neva. The first group of the 5,000 to start the run included the Governor of Saint Petersburg, Valentina Matvienko.
The organisers were introduced before the start. The Icelandic Minister of the Environment and of Nordic Co-operation, Jónína Bjartmarz, also said some words of welcome to the runners. Also present from the Nordic countries were Sonya Eriksson of the Norwegian Ministry of Children and Equality, the Nordic Council of Ministers' adviser Maria Pia de Palo (who was one of the first over the finishing line), Carita Peltonen and Loa Bogason. Some of the staff from the Council of Ministers' office in the city also took part.
The office also organised a ”networking meeting” at which the culture project 'Nordic Look' was announced.
Despite the negative impact of the weather, the event was a success and may even be the start of a new tradition, a gathering where people are reminded of the benefits of a healthier life.
