(Kazan City KZN.RU, 15 May). Today in the capital of Tatarstan "Kazan Marathon-2016" dedicated to the International Memorial Day of those who died of AIDS is held. Opening ceremony was held at the stadium "Kazan Arena". Together with the other members of the sports event President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin overcame the distance of 3 km.
The opening ceremony of the second "Kazan marathon" was attended by President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, Prime Minister Ildar Khalikov, Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin, Assistant Prime Minister of RF Gennady Onishchenko, head of the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare Anna Popova, Minister of youth and sport of the Republic of Tatarstan Vladimir Leonov, Russia's Deputy health Minister Sergei Kraevoy, Director of UNAIDS regional support team for Eastern Europe and Central Asia Vinay Saldanha, goodwill Ambassador of the UN on HIV issues singer Vera Brezhneva and others.
Greeting the participants of the race, Rustam Minnikhanov noted that the marathon is planned to be an annual event. According to Tatarstan President, it is expected that each year the event will attract more people competing with Boston and New York marathons. Gennady Onishchenko and others wished sporting success and good results to the marathon ranners.
After opening the race for 3 km strted, which was attended by Rustam Minnikhanov, Ildar Khalikov, Ilsur Metshin, Gennady Onishchenko and other guests of the sports festival.
Total in the races marked the International Memorial Day of those who died of AIDS was attended by over 8500 people from 38 countries. Participants came at a distance of 42.2 km, 21.1 km, 10 km and 3 km, the press service of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan informs.