Penza, 27 September 2015. PenzaNews. Over 800 athletes from 42 teams of cities, towns and areas took part in the Penza region gubernatorial relay race held in Gorodische town on Saturday, September 26.

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During the opening parade at the town stadium, members of all teams – school, college and university students – marched with flags of the Russian Federation, the Penza region, the towns and the areas.

The governor Ivan Belozertsev addressed the people with a speech.

“Dear friends, athletes of the relay race! My congratulations with this grand celebration of sports. Sports are important for children, youth and adults, as the health of the nation lies in physical education and sports. And our country needs healthy people that see forward,” the head of the region pointed out.

He wished the athletes to succeed, and announced the opening of the race.

The sportsment of the Gorodische area, Oleg Sukhov and Natalya Presnyakova, were given the honor to raise the flags of the Russian Federation and the Penza region.

The official part ended with public performances of sports schools and groups of the Gorodische area.

After the competition that followed, the best athletes were rewarded with challenge cups and diplomas, says the press service of the Penza region government.