HSE Student Running Club Continues Training and Prepares for New Running Season

For several years now, HSE students have participated in races and won prizes, yet few are aware of their achievements. However, having a team and support makes going for a run much easier. That’s why in September 2024, during the Extra extracurricular life festival, students initiated the creation of the HSE Student Running Club.

VTB Bank and the HSE Student Initiative Support Centre welcomed this initiative and contributed to it by providing organisational assistance and charitable support for students.

‘I am very glad to see such a project at HSE University! It is a great opportunity for all students to try running, join a large sports community, and become the best version of themselves,’ says Andrey Romanenko, a second-year master’s student in the International Sports Management, Marketing, and Law programme and one of the project’s initiators. ‘It is valuable when the university pays attention to developing student sports and collaborates with such a strong partner as VTB.’

Students regularly train with a professional coach at the Bauman MSTU Sports Complex (4 Hospital Embankment, building 1), run in groups at park runs (a weekly 5 km run), and participate in inter-university competitions.

‘I learnt about the creation of the student running community from friends in the Student Athletics League. I was delighted to receive an invitation to become the club manager and develop running within my alma mater,’ shares Inna Valikova, a graduate of the Sociology programme. ‘Our university lacked such an association, and I think we have had a good start. We have big ambitions, so there is still a lot to accomplish.’

In the short time that the HSE Student Running Club has existed, its members have already displayed great results:

On September 29, HSE students participated in a nationwide event, organising a large-scale STUDENT RUN for HSE University students and staff and winning a video contest among Russian universities.

On October 13, the HSE team took bronze in the student relay race during the Moscow Marathon.

On November 17, the new line-up of the HSE Student Running Club participated in Moscow's most prestigious student athletics competition, the Student Cup of the Running Community. For the first time, the HSE team rose to 4th place among 38 universities in the city. Additionally, students Maria Karpova (60m) and Maxim Liksakov (1000m) won silver medals, earning the team even more points in the overall standings.

In November, regular training sessions with a professional coach began, along with the development of individual training plans for each student, regardless of their fitness level.

On December 21, just before the New Year, students triumphed at the ‘Stars of Student Sports’ All-Russian Athletics Competition. Maxim Liksakov secured bronze in the 1000m race, while the mixed relay team (Maria Karpova, Nikita Delov, Artem Gukov, and Maxim Liksakov) won gold in the Moscow universities' relay.

‘I am thrilled that the Student Running Club has finally become a reality! We have already had group runs, training sessions, and competitions, and we have met many new people while planning next year’s races. I am looking forward to forming a stronger team and fostering a cosy, family-like atmosphere,’ shares club amateur team captain Elizaveta Bobok, a third-year student of the Design programme.

Students collaborated with designers to create merchandise and branding for the club, reflecting the drive of HSE students for new achievements and victories.

‘I have been running for HSE for six years now. During my early years (coinciding with the pandemic), there was virtually no sports activity at the university. Looking back, I am amazed at how we grew from almost nothing into a full-fledged club competing for prizes against universities with initially better resources. It is really inspiring!’ emphasised Maxim Liksakov, a second-year master’s student of the Computer Systems and Networks programme. ‘My plans for the next six months of student life include participating in as many races as possible and aiming for top placements.’

More information about the HSE Student Running Club can be found on their official VK group and Telegram channel.

December 25, 2024