HSE Alumni Open a Running Club

The HSE ‘I Like Trip’ alumni community has been organizing trips around the world for more than 6 years, and this summer they realized: if you can't go on a trip, why not run? This is how the ILT Running Club was founded. HSE Life tells you how to join the club and what running means for the HSE community.

 ‘I started running this winter, and from the first run I realized that it was really great,’ says Ekaterina Koval, one of the club's founders. ‘After quarantine, there are fewer trips, but we really want to get together, and we realized that our running club can become a useful habit for all our travelers – it combines sport and spending a good time together.’

We run once a week. First we warm-up, then there’s a bit of theory, and then we go running. Alexander Barkar, candidate for master of sports of Russia, participant of the Russian Marathon Championship, Russian mountain running championship and multiple prize-winner of all-Russian competitions, trains, supports and guides the club members.

All you need to do in order to participate is register for a session and remember to wear comfortable sportswear. The club has its own chat, where you can ask any questions and talk to like-minded people.

Running as a Tradition

HSE running community was created long ago, and every year on HSE Day, students and staff participate in the traditional 5km HSE Run. The first HSE Run was timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of HSE University. Oksana Akhmedova, graduate of the Faculty of Law, marathon runner and triathlete, won the inaugural run. In her interview to HSE website, she told us how you can change your life and way of thinking starting with a morning run.

Many people at HSE University - those who have just graduated, those who conduct serious research in HSE laboratories, and those who graduated long ago - share a love of running. In our article they give some advice to beginners: how to start, how to prepare your equipment and how often to train.

Last year HSE University joined the international running club Adidas Runners Moscow, which brings together running enthusiasts from more than 55 cities around the world.

Liudmila V. Mezentseva
Head of the Science Communication and Outreach Unit

I think many people have started running since the quarantine, both people who were engaged in other sports, and those who did no exercise. I think that during self-isolation many of them started to appreciate the feeling of a clear mind and the freedom that running brings.

In July, the runners gradually restarted their group training, and the first mass runs were held. Running together has its own thrill, you can use it as a chance to catch up with people or you can say nothing to each other, but still have the feeling that you’re running together. Personally, I like to run in good company. Therefore, I will be happy to join HSE alumni running club.

Good company is a good reason to start training seriously and regularly, at least to prepare for the 5 km HSE Run, which is traditionally held on HSE Day. Even before the university organised an official run, my friends and I were running 5 km. Therefore, regardless of how the holiday will be held this year, my colleagues and I plan to run together on September 10th. In addition, it’s a great to find a nice running buddy, with a similar mentality (and preferably pace). And I’m sure that HSE people have a great sense of humor.

August 11, 2020