Citi Handlowy COVID-19 Relief Challenge has started in full swing. We are over a virtual cycling race won by Michał Zieliński and Paulina Kotfica. The sport challenge organized in support of the #SilentHeroes campaign will last till the end of June, and everyone can contribute to it by biking or running.
Participants of the virtual race Citi Handlowy COVID-19 Relief Challenge AR competed on the well-known route of the 5150 Warsaw triathlon event, which had been planned to take place last Sunday, on June 14th, but had been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The fastest after two rounds were Michał Zieliński and Paulina Kotfica. The GVT BMC 3SOFT Triathlon Team athlete shared her insights on the race:
- It was a short yet tough race. What helped me this time was that I rode side by side together with Konrad Tomasiak and Ola Jędrzejewska, so we cheered on each other. Our living room got all foggy – she laughed after the race. – I have spent a lot of time on the attic over the past few weeks riding a bicycle trainer, so I can say that I was prepared for competing today.
Emotions of the virtual cycling are behind us but the fundraising campaign is just about to unwind. Participants of the Citi Handlowy COVID-19 Relief Challenge have to complete 40 km by bike or run 10 km. They need to do this by the end of the month.
- Last Sunday, the cycling community showed that sport emotions are as important for them as it is to have some fun together. We challenged not only professional athletes. We would like everyone to take part in this event – all those who like biking or running and enjoy the outdoors. Our engagement counts here much more than our time results. We all take on this sport challenge to express our support for those who stay on the front line of the battle with the COVID-19 pandemic, said Maciej Kropidłowski, Vice President of the Management Board of Citi Handlowy.
Thanks to the cooperation with Citi Handlowy, participation in the challenge is free of charge, however, each competitor can voluntarily make a contribution to the fight against COVID-19. During the registration process, you will be able to donate any amount of money to the #CisiBohaterowie campaign (#SilentHeroes), run for medical services by the Citi Handlowy Foundation. So far, Citi volunteers have prepared and delivered over 8,300 balanced meals for paramedics in Warsaw and Olsztyn. Another objective to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 is to raise funds for the purchase of modern equipment for the diagnosis of coronavirus-infected persons for the RK Emergency Services Support Foundation (Fundacja Wsparcia Ratownictwa RK). Such equipment, including mobile ultrasound devices, will allow paramedics to more quickly qualify patients suspected of contracting SARS-CoV-2 for testing, as well as to examine people who come into their care for reasons not directly related to the coronavirus infection – e.g. as a result of an accident or an emergency. The fundraising campaign also runs on the crowdfunding platform Planet Heroes.
How to take part in the Citi Handlowy COVID-19 Relief Challenge? It is easy:
- Sign up for the running or biking challenge free of charge by no later than June 28th.
- Within 48 hours from the registration you will receive a special code, which will enable you to join the Challenge on the VRace platform.
- Run 10 km or bike 40 km once by June 30th. Record your effort with one of popular sports tracking apps compatible with the VRace plarform.
- Post your result in social media and help promote our initiative by reaching a greater number of people, by using the following hashtags: #CisiBohaterowie (#SilentHeroes), #CitiVolunteers and #TwójWysiłekSięOpłaci (#YourEffortWillPayOff).
In addition, cyclists taking part in the Challenge can optionally participate in virtual group training. Daily rides will be organized on the Rouvy app on the first Polish Augmented Reality route, which the participants of the AR race have already completed last Sunday. There will be another pace and another training formula each day. Start at 9:00 PM CET.
You will find more information on the official event’s site on Facebook.
You will find more information on the official event’s site on Facebook.
