AIMS Women’s Commission

The Ras al Khaimah Half Marathon

Look to the ladies at RAK Half

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 12:24:00 +0000

Photo: Giancarlo Colombo / Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon
© Giancarlo Colombo / Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon

The women’s race promises to be the star of the 18th edition of the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon on Saturday morning (February 1), with both race favourites, Ethiopians Germawit Gebrzhair and Ejgayehu Taye independently suggesting they are in pursuit of a world record.

Not to be ignored, the fastest man in the field, Isaia Lasoi of Kenya says he is both ready to win and have a go himself at a new world mark.

It should be an intriguing contest between the Ethiopian women, since they share the same best time of 64min 14sec. On her own admission at the press conference this morning, Girmawit surprised herself when she set that time in winning here three years ago, and it remains a course record. But following her sub-30min clocking for 10k in Valencia two weeks ago, she suggested that the world record of another Ethiopian colleague, Letesenbet Gidey (62:52) is within reach.

Ejgayehu, meanwhile clocked her time in her first and only ‘half’ so far, again in Valencia three months ago. And so confident is she of a fast time that she is bringing her own pacemaker to ensure that she keeps her promise. Her agent, Yonas Mekonnon says, ‘She decided to try for the world record based on her recent training. She ran just over 64minutes in Valencia without good enough mileage. She was trained really for not more than six weeks after the track season was over and the longest training was 25km. However, this time she’s regularly been covering more than 28km with 3min 30sec pace at altitude. Her goal in this race is the world record’.

The women have certainly proved their worth in the nearly 20 years’ history of the event. Sammy Wanjiru of Kenya got in first when he ran a world record in the inaugural RAK ‘half’ in 2007, but the woman then took over with the other trio of world records being set by Mary Keitany and Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya and Ababel Yeshaneh of Ethiopia.

With his 58min 10sec in Copenhagen last autumn, Lasoi is by far the fastest man in the field, and is looking to emulate former winners who had previously finished in the top three. He was third last year, and said this morning, ‘I’ve been running 175-190 kilometres a week in training. I’ve prepared really well and I’m ready to win. Also, there have been some changes to the course, making it faster, so I think I can do under 58 minutes, and maybe even the world record is possible’.

The final stages of last year’s race were affected by winds and a thick mist which rolled in off the sea, but this year’s weather forecast couldn’t be better for Saturday, with temperatures for the 6.40 elite start at 15-16C (60F). In only their second year of overseeing the RAK ‘half’, the long-time Dubai Marathon organisers, Pace Events have increased participation in the parallel popular events, 2/5/10k to close to 10,000. Iyad Rasbey, VP of the RAK Tourism Development Authority said, ‘When the event began in 2007, we were looking to get 2500-3000 participants, so to get close to 10,000 is extraordinary’.

A live stream with English commentary will be available on Saturday from 6.20 am local time at: https://rakhalfmarathon.com/

Rebecca Chelangat sets new course record in Seville

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 09:14:00 +0000

The Ugandan athlete Rebecca Chelangat has won the 30th edition of the Medio Maraton de Sevilla, breaking the race record by 41 seconds with a time of 1:07:18.

Chelangat led the pack of elite women from the start, and the she broke up in the last 5 kilometres where she began to lead alone the race, to cross the finish line alone. Her compatriot Annet Chelangat was second, just under a minute behind (1:08:12), and the young Ethiopian Yalganesh Eskarmech Gedefa was third with 1:08:50, completing the podium of the race in Seville, the flattest half marathon in Europe.

The first Spanish finisher was eighth-placed Ester Navarrete with 1:10:43, seven seconds ahead of Meritxell Soler, the second Spanish runner with 1:10:55 (ninth overall).

In the men’s category, the victory went to Vinicent Nyamongo Nyageo with 59:33, the third best time in history on the asphalt of Seville. The Kenyan broke the race at the 11th kilometre and led the race alone until the finish line, chased by the French athlete Felix Bour, who was finally second less than 30 seconds behind the African. Valentin Gondouin, also fron France, took the third place (1:00:17) after beating Ireland’s Hiko Tonosa Haso, fourth, who equalled his country’s record with a time of 1:00:51. Pablo Sánchez was the first Spaniard in the classification, eleventh overall, with a time of 1:02:13.

In the wheelchair category, as in the last two years, Joaquín García Díaz (1:01:21) won again.

Today’s race was the 30th edition of the Seville Half Marathon, organised by the San Pablo Athletics Club with the collaboration of the Seville City Council. It has gathered 17,000 runners, beating its historical record of participation, with 30% of women in the starting line and more than 3,000 foreigners. It is the flattest half marathon in Europe with only 5 metres elevation difference between its lowest and highest point, making it a very favourable course for achieving great times over the distance.

Great Welsh Marathon Events

Mandy’s remarkable journey

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 11:48:00 +0000

Mandy’s running journey began in 2009 to lose weight and get fit. After her mother passed away in 2010, running became her sanctuary.

That year, she completed her first half marathon in her mother’s memory, followed by her first full marathon in 2011 at the Great Welsh Marathon. What started as a one-time goal quickly grew into a lifelong passion.

But, on October 20th, 2016, Mandy’s life took a devastating turn when a cycling accident nearly claimed her life. Cycling home from work after a 12-hour shift, she was struck head-on by a car turning into a side street. The impact was catastrophic—her helmet split, her body was thrown into the air, and a handlebar pierced her thigh.

By all accounts, Mandy shouldn’t have survived. But her remarkable fitness level, honed from completing 60 marathons, saved her life. Ironically, she had cycled home that day instead of driving—a decision that proved fateful yet life-changing.

The Wales Air Ambulance crew, moments from going off duty, arrived just in time. Despite life-threatening injuries, including fractured ribs, unstable spinal fractures, a punctured lung, and severe head injuries, Mandy’s fighting spirit shone through. Surgeons fought to save her leg, and against all odds, she survived a series of gruelling operations and complications, including massive blood clots and a stint on life support.

When Mandy finally woke up on November 3rd, her doctors called her survival a miracle. But Mandy’s journey was far from over. Told she might never walk again; she faced months of excruciating recovery. Yet, through every challenge, she held onto one unshakable belief: she would run again.

“I always knew I would be reaching for my running shoes again,” Mandy said.

True to her word, she had them brought to her hospital bedside as a symbol of hope.

Post-accident, Mandy’s determination to reclaim her life was unyielding. Despite the pain and trauma, she began walking on a treadmill, building strength step by step. Her supportive physio encouraged her to dream big, and Mandy set her sights on running again.

Just one year after her accident, Mandy completed the Birmingham Inaugural Marathon in October 2017. Crossing that finish line wasn’t just about running—it was a declaration of resilience, gratitude, and the unbreakable human spirit.

Today, Mandy has completed 175 marathons and counting! Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance.

“Never give up on your dreams,” Mandy says. “If you believe you can, you are halfway there. If you want something bad enough, you will succeed.”

Her incredible journey from tragedy to triumph is proof that anything is possible when determination meets hope. Mandy’s story continues to inspire runners and dreamers everywhere.

If Mandy’s story has inspired you, why not join her and thousands of others as they head to Pembrey this March to take on your own race? This year you’ll be able to test yourself at the 10K, half marathon or go the distance at the full marathon event.

For more details on how to register or run for charity head to: https://www.greatwelshmarathon.co.uk/

The day I decided to become stronger

Sun, 03 Nov 2024 15:06:00 +0000

Hi. My name is Daniela Morales. I am the second of four siblings.

When I was born my mother was told that I had a condition in my back, spina bifida oculta. My parents were very scared but the doctor told them that I could have a normal life. I would not be able exercise vigorously for the rest of my life, and I would probably be unable to have kids in the future.

When I was a child I was always surrounded by sporting activity. My father was a marathon runner and used to organize races as a hobby – most especially the Marathon Tangamanga in San Luis Potosí Mexico. He brought running into our lives and entered us into many races – where I was always the last participant.

I decided that sports were not for me. Throughout my life I have always been thin so I didn’t find any reason to practice sport.

My three siblings ran a marathon with my father and he used to say that I was the only one missing.

I got married when I was 23 and I went lo live to El Paso, Texas. This was a very difficult time for me because I had never been so far away from my family. My husband used to work a lot and I spent a lot of time alone. I decided to TRY running, if only for a few minutes.

Later we went to live to live in Leon Guanajuato Mexico, a few hours away from my family. I was very happy! A few years later I got pregnant and had my first son Agustin. Two years after that I decided to run a marathon and asked my father to run with me. He was so excited – his daughter the anti-athlete wanted to run!

I trained for many months and the day finally arrived. Our marathon was in Austin Texas in US in 2008. I remember that I had a pain in my foot from the first kilometre but I tried to ignore it. When I got to 37km I decided to stop at a medical point where I received some medicines and an ointment. When I tried to run again I couldn’t take a step – I had to return to the medical center and instead of receiving a medal I was given a pair of crutches. I was really sad because my dad didn’t want to continue and instead he went in the ambulance with me, even though he was really prepared to finish.

I got pregnant again and it was a twin pregnancy. A few months into the pregnancy I lost one of the babies and that’s when I really started to suffer. My doctor told me that I had to stay in bed. It was difficult because a I had an 18-month old child but I received a lot of help from my family. I spent time in the hospital when I was in danger of aborting, but finally my waters broke and Patricio came into the world weighing just one kilogram. He was the tiniest baby I had ever seen. Being so premature he spent two months in the hospital between surgeries and he was put on a ventilator, but finally I received my baby.

The following years were a big struggle and sport was out of my life. Four years later my third child, Rodrigo, was born. I had put on a lot of weight so I decided to start running, and to run the Chicago Marathon. On this occasion my attempt was frustrated because I experienced a neuropathy that stopped me training and gave me cramps. Pain and fear were rising to high levels and the neurosurgeon told me that I should never run marathons. I could continue running half marathons but the condition I had been born with did not allow me to run that much and I should be grateful to be walking.

My children grew older and I decided to try again – and I did it. Up to now I have run seven marathons.

Thanks to God my husband has always been supportive. He suggested that maybe I should try a Triathlon (he is an Ironman). I didn’t believe I was capable of doing it. He bought me a bike, I haven’t ridden a bike since I was a child so I was terrified. My husband spoke to a dear friend Marisol Franco (an international triathlete) and she gave me riding classes. She taught me the basics and I did my first triathlon in Xcaret (Cancun) in the newcomer category. Since then I have continued with Sprint and Olympic triathlons and finally a half Ironman, along with my husband.

It has been a difficult path for me because I used to be frightened of the sea, but I confronted that fear and I have now finished three half Ironmans. I put this down to the discipline and strength I have gained by running marathons.

Running is my biggest inspiration, my happiness when I am sad, my moments of reflection, my best therapy.

Nothing stops pink

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Photo: roberto de riccardis
© roberto de riccardis

Sometimes you tell one person’s story but very soon you understand there are others who share the same experience and who are instrumental for the realisation of this story.

A coach from Turin (Italy), Nicola G, trains a large number of runners among which are a group of women who have experienced a typically female cancer. They are many and you can meet them at running events. What moves these women is to realise the best of the goals of the AIMS Women’s Commission: to promote the health of the women through running.

Since 2018 Enza C has been one of the Pink Ambassadors in Turin. She joined the Pink is Good Running Team in her home town which was set up by the Fondazione Umberto Veronesi. It aims to demonstrate that after female cancers women can come back to life stronger than before their illness.

Enza approached the project when she was 40 years old. In the previous two years she had struggled with cancer and overcome it. In 2018 she began thinking that sport could be good both for physical and for psychological health.

At the beginning it was not easy. “Until that time I had never moved a step” she said “and thinking to run a half marathon scared me. Then I understood that I wouldn’t be alone.” Strengthened by a year’s experience in Milan, Fondazione Umberto Veronesi was now challenging women in other Italian cities to test themselves. To help them they offered the organisational framework of the project and contact with running professionals through the Italian Athletics Federation project Runcard with experts in nutrition and psychology.

Women who start sport after having beaten cancer need special attention. To begin with focused periods of training have to take into consideration long-term maintenance and therapies to avoid injury. Any interruptions to the completion of the running sessions can stop the personal running project for a long time. The same goes for nutrition. A healthy diet is good both for training and for well-being.

What gives emotional strength in speaking with Enza C are the words that she uses to describe the power of the running group. “When you get close to this project there are many questions preying on your mind. From the simplest: can I do it? to more complex ones that make you ask yourself if others will understand your troubles. I found answers to all those questions after taking part in the first training sessions. A group of women who have lived your same experiences and who can share the present struggle is a motivation that allows you to overcome every doubt and worry. Running a local half marathon becomes achievable and the only slogan that moves our group is nothing stops pink; nothing stops the women”.

The Pink Ambassadors are committed to fundraising through the platform Rete del Dono in support of the Fondazione Umberto Veronesi’s scientific research against female cancer.

The AIMS Women’s Commission encourages these initiatives so that women who run can feel themselves part of a movement that promotes their empowerment and their health in every corner of the world.

Comrades Marathon

100 years of female participation in the Comrades Marathon

Wed, 24 May 2023 10:29:00 +0000

It may be only 48 years since women were allowed to officially run the Comrades Marathon but female trailblazers have been part and parcel of the world’s greatest footrace since its origins.

24 May 2023 marks a centenary of women’s participation in The Ultimate Human Race. Frances Hayward was the first woman to have unofficially completed the Comrades Marathon in 1923, during a time when the race was only open to white men.

Frances Elizabeth Hayward was born on the 14 August 1891 in Wiltshire, England. Her father was part of a fairly affluent woollen mill owning family and she grew up in a large English home and received a good education.

From a young age Frances showed a desire for independence, strong character and fortitude. At the age of 20, she worked as a church embroideress at the County Home in Stafford. While being an embroideress during the early 1900’s was a respectable job for a lady, working at the country home would have been considered scandalous for her station as it was a home designed to reform woman who had served time in prison and had no family support or work experience.

In a very bold move, on the 3rd of January 1914, she departed from Southampton for Cape Town, South Africa on The Galician, Union Castle Mail Steamship Company. During this period it was highly unusual for woman to travel alone, yet she was undeterred and the excitement of the colonies drew her to South Africa.

She found herself restless in Cape Town and wanted to travel and see more of South Africa. So in September 1921 and now qualified as a clerk, she boarded a steamer headed for Natal and travelled alone to Durban. She got a position as a typist and, living free of the usual restrictions her class would have held her to in England, enjoyed living a single, independent life.

At the age of 30, the intrigue of the Comrades Marathon had caught her attention and she sent a letter to Vic Clapham and applied to run in the 1923 race. Her entry left Clapham and the Athletics Association in a state of confusion as they had never had a woman applying to enter any male athletics events before. After considerable debate they refused to accept her entry. She sent an immediate response to the association and Vic that she was undaunted by their decision and would therefore run unofficially.

So, on only the third running of the race in 1923, she lined up outside the Pietermaritzburg City Hall with the 68 men who were competing that year. Dressed in a dark green gym suit and leather soled plimsoles, she started her journey along the road to Durban. Despite the general consensus that the distance would be too great for a woman, she was well supported by her fellow competitors and spectators alike.

Frances crossed the line in 11:35:00, in what would have been 28th position in a field of 30 finishers that year. The Natal Witness reported “Miss Hayward made a steady pace, dropping to a walk on the hills, and, at Thornybush, was last but one, a good mile behind the others. She looked cheerful and fit, having previously announced her intention of making Drummond by 11am. Miss Frances Hayward, got to Drummond in 11:14, not far astern of her intended schedule.”

The article ended with “another signal of women’s emancipation from the thraldom of good-natured disdain in which mere man has held her.” She had achieved what she set out to do – to be the first woman to attempt the race; and “to shock everybody.”

She stated, “I should have been content if I had beaten just one man!” She beat two who finished and 38 who dropped out.

Her run was not officially recognised due to the rejection of her entry, and she received no silver medal (as all finishers were awarded silver during the 1920’s), but the citizens of Durban were so impressed by her performance that they pooled together and presented her with a silver tea set and silver rose bowl as congratulations.

Women on the rise in India’s road running boom

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Photo: seshadri_SUKUMAR

Women in India are increasingly shedding their inhibitions and overcoming social prejudices to embrace road running – the phenomenon coinciding with the distance running revolution in the country triggered by the stupendous success of the inaugural 2004 Mumbai Marathon.

Until the turn of the century, sighting a runner on the road was as rare as a four-leaf clover. Athletes usually trained in stadiums and the few road races held had only a handful of women taking part – all of whom were typically professional athletes.

The Pune Marathon, established in 1983, is widely regarded as India’s first international marathon, but it was only in the aughts that globally-popular road running caught the imagination of the country of 1.35 billion. This was after Procam International, pioneers in the promotion of road running in India, launched the Mumbai Marathon, the Delhi Half Marathon (2005), the TCS World 10K Bengaluru (2008) and the Tata Steel Kolkata 25K (2014).

All four races have attracted some of the biggest names in the sport over the years – putting India on the global road running map.

As disposable incomes rose in India’s expanding middle class people became more health and fitness conscious. Road running increasingly became an extension of fitness pursuits across gender and age and triggered a significant rise in the country’s wellness industry.

Road running played a key role in helping more women in India feel empowered and liberated, as witnessed by the significant rise in their participation in distance running events over the years.

Women’s participation more than doubled from the inaugural edition to the last pre-pandemic physical race across Procam’s four events. It is a clear indicator of how more women have embraced the challenge of the sport. A record 11,805 women took part across all race categories at the 2020 Tata Mumbai Marathon.

Road running is now the fastest-growing participation sport in cricket-crazy India, with 1579 timed events on the last count. Without a doubt women have played a significant role in its growth in the country.

From housewives to corporate executives to students, it’s now a common sight to see women running on the roads, with passers-by nodding in encouragement. These are vastly different times from the decades past when women would rarely venture out alone in the wee hours for fear of being ridiculed for running or for safety concerns.

Mumbai resident Kranti Salvi has run marathons both at home and overseas wearing a saree to show that the classical Indian nine-yard drape is comfortably suited for running for women, while Kiran Kanojia, dubbed India’s first female blade runner, has demonstrated that distance running helps develop the steely resolve to take on life’s difficult challenges.

“I lost my leg in a train accident in 2011, but running gave me the power to become what I am today,” said Kiran. “People know me as this (blade runner), and even I didn’t know I could do this. Running helped me develop the never-give-up attitude,” added Kiran, who has completed six half marathons.

Kmoinlang Wahlang from the north-eastern state of Meghalaya, then 71 years of age, stunned the country’s running community by completing the 2019 Tata Mumbai Marathon in a time of 4:33:55. “I had fallen sick and doctors advised I exercise. I found running was the easiest way to maintain sound health,” said Kmoinlang, who has 30 grandchildren.

A combination of factors has led to the rise of women’s participation in distance running: the growing number of races pan-India, the resultant proliferation of running clubs/groups across the country that offer systematic training and safety for women runners as part of the community. They are also driven by the goal of achieving personal bests in blue riband races.

As a result, Procam’s events have become an annual pilgrimage of sorts not only for runners in the respective cities but also for the growing number of running enthusiasts across the country.

It has been widely acknowledged that the Delhi Half Marathon proved to be the catalyst for women in the national capital to take up road running, and India now has over 30 women-only runs. The popular Pinkathon series was established in 2012 to raise awareness for breast cancer. Women are also increasingly qualifying for and taking part in the age-group categories of the Abbott World Marathon Majors.

The TCS World 10K Bengaluru has fielded an all-women pacer team since 2018 that helps both men and women runners in the open category to achieve their personal bests, and women runners have played an active part in fundraising efforts for charities across Procam events over the years.

A generation of India’s women distance runners has also drawn from the experience and exposure of the world-class fields in Procam’s events, with the likes of Lalita Babar, a three-time winner among Indian women at the Tata Mumbai Marathon, also going on to win medals at the 2014 Asian Games and 2015 Asian Championship in the 3000m steeplechase.

Ultrarunning is also growing among women. An Indian women’s team took silver behind Australia in the 2022 IAU 24H Asia and Oceania Championships held in Bengaluru in July.

Sufiya Khan created two Guinness World Records in endurance running after cutting her teeth at the 2017 Delhi Half Marathon. The ultra-runner, in her mid-thirties, set the record for the fastest time by a woman to cover on foot the golden quadrilateral, a network of highways connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. She also holds the Guinness record for being the fastest woman to run from Kashmir, up north, to Kanyakumari, the southern tip of the country.

“Running has provided a platform for women to script their own success stories, and it is a sign of a healthy society that more women are taking up sports,” said Vivek Singh, Joint Managing Director, Procam International. “Women are known to possess the strength and fortitude to push the limits, and running is a tremendous avenue to unlock one’s potential,” he added.

Maijooks – the biggest women’s run in Estonia

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Maijooks (May Run) is the largest women’s running event in Estonia. From small beginnings – a couple of hundred participants in the inaugural race on 29 May 1988 – Maijooks grew steadily. In 2014 a record 16,299 runners started the race. For a small country like Estonia, it is phenomenal: the population is only 1.33 million (0,7 million women). This goes to show that Estonian women are active and love to run and walk.

Due to coronavirus restrictions in 2020 and 2021 Maijooks was held virtually. Although virtual running was a fairly new way of doing things Estonians quickly adopted it. In 2020 5,716 participants took part in the virtual Maijooks. In 2021 there were already 9,138 active runners, walkers and Nordic walkers participating in the second biggest virtual sporting event in Estonia. It was nice to see that women kept moving even during the pandemic.

After a two-year break caused by the coronavirus the comeback this year was not as fast as expected. There were nearly 13,000 participants in total but 43% of them participated virtually.

The location of the race – the Tallinn Song Festival Ground – came along with the race name. It is a place by the sea filled with good emotions and great meaning. There are excellent opportunities for movement on the shores of the Baltic Sea and in the green parks and streets of Maarjamäe.

In the first two years (1988–1989), the race distance was 2km because running was not very popular among women at that time. Running two kilometres was achievable for everyone. For the next three years the race distance was increased to 5km and since 1993 the Maijooks course has been 7km. For six years (2004–2009) men could also run Maijooks on a separate 7km course. In 2021 a 3km girls’ run was added to the Maijooks programme. The 7km and 3km courses can be completed by running, walking or Nordic walking.

Simultaneously with the women’s race there are children’s races offering joy to thousands of kids. A record number of 3,563 participated in 2019.

In 2009 the immensely popular Day Care for Men was opened for the first time. While the women are on the course the men can take care of the children and be active at the same time. In the men’s area you can take part in basketball competitions, shoot penalties, play football, enjoy a hot tub sauna, get a haircut and even buy a flower to give to your loved one at the finish line. But the main activity for men on this day is to cheer and applaud the women.

Maijooks has always been a good start for preparation to the Tallinn Marathon, Estonia’s biggest mass sports event, held on the second weekend of September.

How the race progressed year by year:

Finishers in the very first Maijooks received a rose and a cup of coffee at the finish line. The cup of coffee was special because in 1988 coffee was hard to come by. The aromatic bean coffee was a symbol of the good life so the congratulatory cup of coffee at the finish was a prestigious gesture by the organisers.

By 1990, in just the third edition, participation had increased more than tenfold with 3000 runners at the starting line. Runners were offered food after the race for the first time: Tallinn airport sponsored the event with 3000 airplane meals.

In 1993 the number of participants dropped for the first time. This was due to the tumultuous times and consequent currency changes. Public transportation and petrol prices increased so much that people from further locations did not come. At the same time the women’s race had become so popular that three men were caught at the start line dressed up in traditional women’s folk costumes.

In 1994 it rained for the first time. In previous years participants had always enjoyed clear skies and warm sun after the race while sitting on the grass eating and listening to the concert.

At the eighth Maijooks in 1995 a separate start group for 400 faster runners was introduced. The first hundred of them received a certificate from the International Olympic Committee.

Timing and number bibs were introduced In the 1996 race – using a stopwatch and a pencil. Only about a hundred participants were brave enough to sign up for the timed event.

In 1998 the race was organised under the Olympic flag and was a part of the International Olympic Committee’s event “Sports for Everyone”.

The Maijooks of 2003 was part of the Estonian European movement campaign. The women’s race was concluded with a grand concert titled ‘Yes to the European Union’ In collaboration with Estonian Post, a special Maijooks postcard and stamp were made to commemorate the 16th Maijooks.

In 2005 registration moved online. Dealing with paper forms was becoming a thing of the past.

Electronic timing was introduced in 2006. The After-race concert was headlined by the Estonian Eurovision song contest winner 2001 Dave Benton. He described his Maijooks experience as “..simply fantastic. I just came to perform, but what I found was amazing! Truly fantastic!”

The next Maijooks – LHV Maijooks – takes place on Saturday, 20 May 2023.
www.maijooks.ee