People walk at breakneck speed in Budapest.
– Ten minutes before the start, we got the information. It came as a surprise to all of us, Valentin Kononen tells.
Kononen, who won the 50-kilometer walking world championship in his career, coaches Brother-Matti “Aku” from Parta. The Finnish walker’s main distance of 20 kilometers was postponed by no less than two hours at the World Championships in Budapest on Saturday due to a thunderstorm.
Just before the start, the race organizers urged all people to leave the starting point at Sankarien aukio and seek safety from the thunder.
– No thunder could be seen in the morning, even in the survey. It came all of a sudden. The closed area has a calling mode. The athletes lay there waiting for the departure, Kononen says.
– The athletes took it calmly.
At the time of writing the article, the temperature at the competition venue was a good 20 degrees. The rain has continued, but very lightly.
Coach Brother Matti Rannan according to this, it is suitable weather for Finns.
– We were afraid or thought that the weather would be much worse. This is Finnish weather. Nothing too bad.
Record speed
Aku Partanen cooled himself off at the beginning of the race by pouring water on his head. PASI LEISMA
At the end of the kilometer run, the athletes turn around at the starting point in Sankarien aukio. There is an orange felt carpet that is soaking wet.
The road is also wet.
– If the road is slippery, it can affect the technology. I still don’t believe it, Ranta analyzed.
The start of the competition has gone very fast. Partanen is at a record pace.
– The weather doesn’t seem to be a problem when the pace is so fast. Fast weather this is for everyone. It’s good for Finns when it’s not very hot.
Initially, 25–28 degrees Celsius and sunshine were predicted for the race.
Valentin Kononen coaches Aku Beardas. PASI LEISMA