One point separates the leaders in two courses at the fifth City Legends round in Mežgarciems

Original publication date: 08.09.2024

The previous fourth stage in Mazsalac took place in the middle of July, so until this stage, orienteering enthusiasts had to wait again for a longer time, namely two months, which is the same as from the third stage in May to the fourth of July. For the first time, the participants of the exciting rogaining series “Pilsētas leģendas” visited Mežgarciem, as another new competition area was prepared for the participants, as the popular rogaining series had not yet visited the previous venue in Mazsalac.

 

The wide competition area included several Rīga-Saulkrasti railway stops - Kalngali, Garciema, Garupi and Carnikava, stretching from Priežlej to Carnikava and perpendicularly from Garciema to Atari. The participants of the longer distances had the opportunity to visit both the center of Carnikava and to refresh themselves with a swim at the other end of the competition area - in Ķīšezera near Priežlejām. In the Mežgarciems section, there will be some checkpoints at the Ādaži airfield, meeting an aviation-related object for the second time this season, as the first stage took place at the Spilve airfield.

The novelty was “Gerble” cookies that were in the supporters of the 3h MTB distance. A convincing victory was celebrated by Mārtiņš Linde, who finished in the top 40 in this year's European Championship, but who won 19th place last year, and who collected the highest score of the day - 176 points. With 161 points, the overall leader Raitim Muižniekam was enough for a stable second place, who will also protect the leading position at the end of the season, because Linde has missed two stages and on Saturday, for the second time this season, another European and World Championship Top20 rider Andris Sarksņa did not start, this time preferring the popular VIVUS MTB marathon in Ape, in which “Pilsētu leģendu” also participated. organizer Jānis Vanags.

In the intense battle for third place, Jānis Lācis was one point ahead of Mārtiņam Godiņam, who wasted five and a half minutes and separated by 6 points. Lithuanian Renata Pauļauskiene celebrated victory in a women-like battle with Dinu Zobenu. There was a similar duel for third place in checkers, where Aiga Strazdiņa beat Inesi Kauķi by three points.

In the longest 6h “Garmin” distance “Riga Adventure team”, in which Valdim Čunkam, who tried ultra distances this time and also started in the difficult “Vilkaču maratona” distance, was joined by another fan of long distances, Jean Verden, who with 167 points managed to be the first in a very intense battle, because not only one, but even two points were behind teams - Kārlis Lauders and Toms Bergmanis (When you want to live), as well as another ultra distance champion and Latvian record holder Jānis Actiņš, who with his daughter Elīza also has 166 points and first place for mixed teams.

The previous runners-up Sandis Pētersons and Zane Gruberte (Beavers don't sleep) also collected over 160 points and were fourth overall and second in Mix. Renārs Skudra and Viesturs Šlosbergs (Bez stress) were also close to this limit, but the top six were completed by representatives of Estonia with 156 points. For women, the highest number of points (147 points) was earned by the helpful Kristīne Kadaša and Gunta Brazauska (Dzintars matos), but for families, Tīmuri won.

Liene, the wife of Mārtiņa Pļaviņa, who just won the title of the European beach volleyball champion, also started well in the longest distance, who, together with her teammates Laini Rupeiku-Ružu and Gitu Griezni, who made her rogaining debut, earned third place in the Open group for ladies.

In the Kokmuiža 4h distance, the first two teams were also separated by a mere point. With such a minimal margin, Sandis Zukulis and Elīna Petrovska (Cascade of Errors), with 113 points on their account, overtook their fiercest rivals and friends Eduardu Pāķi and Sniedzi Brakovsku (Adaži city). Thus, the Mix teams took the first two places, while the top three men's team “Retrīts mežā” with Aivaru Hemmeli and Sergeju Briedi completed the top three.

Round one hundred points was collected by the strongest ladies' team BR3 with Ievu Godiņu and Aigu Kalniņu, who were only one point behind Arnis Mālbergs and Mārtiņš Ozoliņš. Kruštiņi (Balto Zalkšu family) also won a round sum of 70 points for families in this distance. The positive Zhanna Novikova had a fun day and also swam in the lake near Carnikavas Laveru with her cheerful teammates Montu Ozolu and Artu Rozenbergu, whose name the team probably got from the movie “Emīla nedarbiem” – “Komēta nāk”.

Lithuanians Vladas Kutiavinas and Mantas Pocevičus dominated the ISOSTAR 2h distance with 72 points. Karlis and Daina Stonkas, having practiced running in the “Bultas” club, collected 65 points and were the first for mixed teams. Abi Tomasi from another film “Mirāža” – Neuss-Lucs and Tees rounded out the top three with 63 points. Samusevi - Ruslans with Etienne - won the family competition and were eighth overall. In the women's competition, this time it was enough to score below 40 points, as the first place was won by “Lauktozītes” - Ilze Roķe and Māra Ozola who accumulated 37 points.

“Magnesia” won the 2h O-run again and again collected more than 70 points from Miķelis Zumbergs, who this time has more than a point advantage, as it was two months ago in Mazsalac. The overall leader Jānim Užulim had to settle for 4th place this time, as Aigars Šuvcāns and Ingus Znotiņš entered the top three with 67 and 65 points, respectively. For the women, a great performance with planning and a rich harvest of points (61 points) was demonstrated by Anžela Šapavalova to celebrate the first victory. Last year's winner and overall leader Anita Užule, realizing in the middle of the distance that it would not be the right day, took second place with 55 points, but in the intense fight for third place, ahead of the Lithuanian by a point, she won third place and the positive mood was strengthened by Liepāja stage winner Anete Dārta Rožkalne.

“Pilsētas leģendas” is organized by adventure competition agency “Xevents" with the support of Intervals.lv, Isostar, Garmin, Gerble, Kokmuiža and “Magnesia”. You can register for membership and find out more information on the website rogainings.lv.