Green Marathon Triumph: 4200m in 13:24 and 20 New Squirrel Feeders

On May 20, Sber Bank (Belarus) hosted the “Green Marathon” in Minsk’s Yanka Kupala Park, a mass race covering 4200 meters with over 600 participants from various cities across the country. The event was a celebration of healthy living and environmental awareness, and we are thrilled to announce the winners.

The Race

Participants raced along the picturesque Svislach embankment. The event attracted notable media personalities, business leaders, and athletes, including TV host Ilya Kononov, Duboenko2 co-founder Ekaterina Duboenko, and master of sports Natalia Safronnikova.

Winners

The fastest male runner in the 18-35 age category was Pavel Kulikov, completing the race in 13 minutes and 24 seconds. In the male 35+ category, Alexander Yurkov finished first with a time of 15 minutes and 15 seconds. Among women aged 18-35, Anna Letun was the fastest, finishing in 14 minutes and 35 seconds. Olga Kolb won the female 35+ category with a time of 16 minutes and 39 seconds.

Winners received medals and prizes from the organizers. Sber Bank also awarded prizes for the most creative and eco-friendly costumes.

Activities and Entertainment

The Green Marathon was more than just a race; it was a festival promoting healthy living and environmental consciousness. The park featured various activities and entertainment zones, hosted by Theo and Olga Ryzhikova.

From early morning, the park offered a sports zone with master classes from Xfit fitness club instructors and games from local sports clubs. An open-air lecture hall featured talks by Belarusian bloggers, artists, designers, and Sber Bank representatives on eco-friendly habits, conscious consumption, and upcycling.

Guests received useful gifts from INVITRO medical laboratory and could check their blood pressure and hydration levels. They also enjoyed an augmented reality labyrinth and oxygen cocktails provided by BELKART payment system.

Squirrel Quest

For the adventurous, a special squirrel-themed quest was prepared. The bank installed 20 squirrel feeders in the park, and participants could learn interesting facts about these furry creatures, complete their daily step count, and receive souvenirs from Sber Bank.

Even insects received a gift: Sber Bank presented Minsk with an insect house, a special structure to attract pollinators beneficial to the city’s ecosystem.

ESG Principles

“The principles of ESG—sustainable development with a focus on nature, resource conservation, and environmental care—are key priorities for Sber Bank,” says Evgenia Kilpelainen, Director of the Marketing and PR Department at Sber Bank. “The Green Marathon allows us to unite thousands of like-minded people around the important topic of ecology, highlighting crucial issues such as the rational use of natural resources, biodiversity conservation, and attentive attitude to personal health and the environment.”

The Green Marathon has been organized by the Sberbank Group since 2012. The Belarusian Sber Bank has joined this initiative for the sixth time, with previous marathons held in Minsk, Brest, and Pinsk.

Every year, about a thousand Belarusians of different ages and fitness levels participate in the Green Marathon. The project embodies the principles of ESG—environmental, social, and corporate governance. The Green Marathon has been awarded by the UN Environment Programme for its contribution to the planet’s ecology and has twice received the “Towards the Future” award.

JSC “Sber Bank” is among the top 3 banks in Belarus in terms of business volume and profit. In 2021 and 2022, Sber Bank was recognized as the Innovative Bank of Belarus. The bank has the highest ESG rating (AA) among Belarusian companies.

For more information, visit the official Sber Bank website.