Myadel Regional
Executive Committee
1 October 2026
Age is no barrier to staying active. A Nordic walking marathon kicked off in Dzerzhinsk on the Day of Older Persons
On the Day of Older Persons, the 5th National Nordic Walking Marathon «A Step Towards Longevity» kicked off in Dzerzhinsk. BELTA learned this fr om the press service of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.
At the same time, older people across the country set out on the marathon routes.
Minister of Labor and Social Protection Andrei Lobovich noted that age should not lim it people's desire to live life to the fullest. Belarus has adopted the «Active Longevity 2030» strategy, which enables older people to fulfill their potential in sports, creative pursuits, and public life.
«Our task is to create the necessary conditions for people of all ages to remain active, socialize, play sports, discover new interests, and participate fully in society. We see your enthusiasm and willingness to take part in all these activities. We will continue this tradition. The connection between the older and younger generations is embedded in the genetic code of Belarusians and is a priority of our state's social policy», — the minister emphasized.
The marathon participants themselves were vivid proof that age is no barrier to an active life.
Lidia Markovna Sinyak is 88 years old and traveled to the marathon from Borisov District. After suffering a stroke, she had to learn to move almost from scratch, and later took up Nordic walking. Regular training helped her recover, and she continues to exercise and take part in the marathon.
Physical exercise, breathing exercises, and Nordic walking have become part of the daily routine of 87-year-old Alexander Petrovich Martynchik from Smolevichi District. He sticks to his usual healthy lifestyle routine even in winter, when he goes ice skating. He also keeps bees, works on his garden plot, and actively participates in cultural life.
Issues of concern to people in their silver years were discussed by representatives of the councils of older citizens of Minsk Oblast, who gathered for a roundtable. The event concluded with an awards ceremony for the marathon winners and a concert.
