The Attack of the Century

On the first Sunday of February Kronstadt holds an athletic run. The competition begins with the meeting in the city park and is dedicated to the submarine-seamen. The result of the competition is not only the sport achievements, but also the knowledge of our country's history and the respect for all the heroes, who helped to win the World War II.

At this meeting the submarine veterans tell to the participants of the competition about the events that happened on January 30, 1945 when the submarine "S-13" destroyed a huge battle ship of the fascist navy "Wilhelm Gustlof'. There were more than 7000 officers and soldiers on its board who were evacuated from Gdansk. More then 3000 of them were the crew for the new submarines, which were prepared to be used in the North Sea. This operation was called "The Attack of the century", and this name was given to the competition.

Every year this competition gathers about 500 participants mainly from StPetersburg District which are at the age from 5 to 85. The unpredictable weather of the city surprises the sportsmen all the time: one year it can be -22 degrees Celsius, another - the sportsmen must run through the melting snow and puddles, but this does not scare the participants. Many of them have not missed a single competition in all 15 years it has been held. The beginners, the qualified sportsmen and the handicap-sportsmen, family teams, schoolchildren and others - all take part in the competition. The prizes are shared in 23 nominations for the distances of three, five and ten kilometres.

To make this competition more interesting and educating, the route goes through the streets of Kronstadt and passes along the house, where the captain of the Russian submarine lived. The competition lasts for about an hour and all the citizens of Kronstadt can see and support the sportsmen during this time.