SLOVAK SENIOR CITIZEN FROM LIPTOV LUDMILA SUNOVA 

RUNS THE 25th VANCOUVER MARATHON

64 years old senior citizen Ludmila Sunova from Plostin, near Liptovsky Mikulas have run the 25th Vancouver's Marathon in early May. This was her 68 marathon. She came third in her category 60-64 years old in time 4:38.

This is her third marathon of this year on the North American soil. She run in the 30th anniversary Las Vegas marathon on February 11 and the 100 anniversary Boston marathon on April 15 of this year.

All three marathons she run dressed in Liptov folk costume (kroj). This is of course an unusual attire for runner and she created lot of attention between the runners and spectators, many of them taking pictures with her on this rare and happy occasion. There were over 4000 runners from 27 countries participating. She is very proud to represent Slovakia in this way and we were very happy that she chose to run the marathon in Vancouver over Toronto’s Marathon that was held also the same day.

She trains in Slovakia three times a week in the hills and fields around Liptovsky Mikulas, many times from potential sponsor to potential sponsor. Few years ago she was sponsored by Matica Slovenska to run in New York and Los Angeles marathons. As a gratitude to their past sponsorship she run Vancouver’s Marathon with Matica Slovenska logo attached to her back.

I was fortunate enough to meet her and photograph her during the run and here are some pictures for all of you to enjoy.

GO BACK TO PEOPLE STORIES

Published in the Slovak Heritage Live newsletter Volume 4, No. 2, Summer 1996
Copyright © Vladimir Linder 1996 
3804 Yale Street, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5C 1P6
The above article and photographs may not be copied, reproduced, republished, or redistributed by any means including electronic, without the express written permission of Vladimir Linder. All rights reserved.