A unique event that originated in the city of Košice combines sport, a healthy lifestyle, culture, entertainment and even has a charitable aspect. This is a joint project of Východoslovenská energetika, the Eastern-Slovak Energy Company which is the initiator and main partner, and Progress Promotion Košice which serves as the organiser. VSE CITY RUN has now held its third annual event in cooperation with the city of Košice and other partners.
Beginnings of cooperation
“We wanted to do something for the city and its residents and to also show that we are here for them,” recalls Andrea Danihelová, spokesperson for Východoslovenská energetika (VSE). “We prepared a run across Košice in 2008 and 437 athletes, students, managers and representatives of the wider public came to the starting line to express their dedication to sport and their readiness to lend a helping hand to anyone, wherever needed, by running in Hlavná Street or on our treadmill on stage.” The proceeds from the symbolic entry fee and the financial support added by VSE were donated in 2008 to help handicapped children. The amount collected for the Joint School on Opatovská Street in Košice was Sk136,500.
We decided to continue
“We had an idea, without even guessing how successful it might become. The second year of the event was a must,” Danihelová says proudly. The May run in 2009 took place in two cities. The run through downtown Košice and on the treadmill involved 881 active fans. The financial proceeds amounted to €5,637 and were donated to the Dorka Crisis Asylum. Apart from this direct financial aid, 36 volunteers from among VSE employees helped Dorka by spending four hours on D-Day in the centre reconstructing the complex.
Only 15 days later, VSE CITY RUN had its debut in Poprad and attracted 514 students, athletes, and other residents who spontaneously took part at the last moment. A contribution of €4,992 was handed over by the CEO of VSE to the head of Poprad’s centre for mentally handicapped and the centre received help from VSE volunteers, too. “Poprad and the volunteer activities were not the only novelties of the second year of VSE CITY RUN. Many celebrities were involved in the cultural programme, ran on the treadmill and supported the whole programme,” Danihelová said.
Everything tripled
“Everything tripled could be the slogan for this year’s VSE CITY RUN,” said Danihelová about the effort in 2010 – the third year – three cities – three categories. Spišská Nová Ves joined as the third locale for a run through its centre and on the treadmill. And two new categories were added for walks by seniors and parents with youngsters. Record numbers of participants took part in all locales: 907 participants in Košice, 739 in Poprad, and 1,140 in Spišská Nová Ves. Onstage in Košice, participants ran 94,756 metres on the treadmill while 97,000 metres were logged in Poprad and 90,700 in Spišská Nová Ves. Almost €12,000 was raised this year and €3,948 will go to children at the Poprad special school on Partizánska Street, €3,965 will go to the elementary school in Gemerksá Street in Košice and €3,230 will be contributed to Úsmev ako dar (Smile as a Gift) in Spišská Nová Ves.
The future of the project
“Our motto ‘Only one can win, but everybody can help’ is the philosophy that will continue to guide VSE CITY RUN,” promises Danihelová. “Helping others is the main reason why people should come to the starting line and take part in this enjoyable programme.”
