Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

On May 17, the Polytechnic Park hosted the traditional track and field race in memory of Hero of the Soviet Union Viktor Lyagin. The event dedicated to the graduate of our institute has been held since 1972. For several years now, the race at the Polytechnic has rightfully been considered a large-scale city event.

The race was opened by the Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Communication Technologies of SPbPU Maxim Pasholikov.

The strength of the Polytechnic University is in its people, its Heroes and traditions. Anyone who finds themselves in the university family is involuntarily immersed in our culture and environment, which shapes their personality. The run named after Hero of the USSR Viktor Lyagin, which has been held for over 55 years, is a vivid confirmation of this. The event not only bears the name of an outstanding intelligence officer, a graduate of the university, but also cultivates willpower. After all, everyone who accepts this sports challenge, overcoming themselves, develops, achieves their goal and becomes a hero for themselves, their family and immediate environment, being an example. Through the prism of such traditions, we learn to achieve results in simple things, which over time becomes a habit, and we no longer see the possibility of behaving differently, – noted Maxim Pasholikov.

Viktor Lyagin’s grandson, Aleksey Esipov, was present at the race and thanked the Polytechnic for preserving the memory of the hero.

This sporting event is dedicated to my grandfather, intelligence officer and outstanding polytechnician Viktor Lyagin. Viktor Aleksandrovich became a successful engineer, thanks to which he was appointed head of scientific and technical intelligence. He had great prospects, but the war began. He was sent to Nikolaev, where his group carried out the most significant sabotage. Viktor Aleksandrovich himself was an athlete and paid great attention to volleyball and weightlifting, – Alexey Esipov emphasized.

By the will of fate, the family of Alexey Esipov met for the first time with relatives Alexey and Natalya Kochkarev, with whom they had lost contact for many years. This year, the Kochkarev couple came to the race for the first time, and a fateful meeting took place.

I decided to honor the memory of the outstanding polytechnician in this way and pay tribute to his contribution to the common victory. My family has many ties to the Polytechnic. My father was an associate professor at the power engineering faculty, worked at the Hydro Tower. My mother worked at the metallurgy faculty. I graduated from the Polytechnic and then worked here. Therefore, we are hereditary polytechnicians, – said Alexey Kochkarev.

Our paths diverged. But what a coincidence! It was at the Polytechnic that I met my relatives again, – Alexey Esipov was surprised.

Alexey Esipov came to the race with his daughter Tatyana Leonchenkova and granddaughter Alina. The girl is in the third grade, enjoys football and swimming. Viktor Lyagin’s great-great-granddaughter decided to participate in the race dedicated to his memory.

Perhaps Alina’s athletic abilities were inherited from her great-great-grandfather. We love the Polytechnic University and visit it often. We plan to enroll Alina in programming classes. It is important that the university carefully preserves the memory of the Great Patriotic War. No one is forgotten, and nothing is forgotten. This is truly the very memory that is very dear, – shared Tatyana Leonchenkova.

Time flew by while chatting. And then the participants were called to a warm-up led by Kristina Kapinus, a member of the Russian Nordic walking team. After that, experienced athletes and newcomers checked their equipment and went to the start. To the encouraging shouts of the spectators, the runners covered a distance of five kilometers.

The participants of the children’s race also received no less support – boys and girls ran 800 meters.

Yulia Kurakina took first place, Grigory Khrustalev finished second, and Alexander Kabanov showed the third time.

Yulia Kurakina started running only a year ago, and her first place came as a surprise to her family.

I play chess, dance, and running is just a hobby, Yulia shared.

At the competition, Yulia was supported by her mother Svetlana. She said: We visited the Polytechnic for the first time and were pleasantly surprised by the friendly atmosphere and warm relations between the participants.

Nine-year-old Vasilisa Ambrazhey won the hearts of the audience with her willpower and incredible fortitude. She participated in the race for the first time and successfully overcame the adult distance. Then Vasilisa ran half a circle to meet her mother and support her at the finish line. But the girl did not stop there – she took part in the children’s race together with her brother Fyodor.

I have been swimming since I was three and doing acrobatics since I was six. Before, I only ran at school during physical education classes. So, at the Polytechnic, I covered such a serious distance for the first time, Vasilisa shared.

Her mother, Natalia Rybakova, works as a leading specialist at the Center for Continuing Professional Education of the Advanced Engineering School “Digital Engineering”.

We enjoyed spending Saturday morning in the Polytechnic University park. Such events are very useful, as they allow you to participate in the life of the university, get to know your colleagues from a new side and get involved in sports, – noted Natalia Rybakova.

In the men’s race the results were as follows:

Evgeny Chuchmanov – 17.17; Maxim Vankov – 17.18; Alexander Mirolyubov – 17.18.5.

Evgeniy Chuchmanov is a 2nd year Bachelor’s student at the Civil Engineering Institute. He has been a professional skier since childhood.

Running is an integral part of preparation for skiing competitions. When I entered the Polytechnic, I decided not to limit myself to competing for the biathlon-skiing team. So running became my hobby. At today’s competition, I did not strive for victory, but during the race I realized that I could compete with my rivals. It was a wonderful event that filled me with pride for the university. It is nice that the teachers emphasize the importance of a healthy lifestyle by their example, – said Evgeniy.

Results of the women’s race:

Maria Kiseleva – 21.10;
Tatyana Bevza — 21.32;
Alena Aleshina — 22.11.

Maria Kiseleva, a specialist at the Department of Support of Educational Programs of the Center for Continuing Professional Education, is a regular participant in the race. Last year, she took fourth place. She seriously prepared for this start: she trained five times a week and participated in various running events.

I am so glad that I won! Polytechnic combines patriotism, love for one’s country, sports, science and much more. I love my native university with all my heart, – shared Maria Vladimirovna.

The joint finish of mother and daughter took place in the Aleshiny family. Director of the Higher School of Power Engineering Alena Aleshina, having taken third place in the adult distance, supported her youngest daughter in her race.

I am participating in this event for the third year in a row. The great weather, the warm and friendly atmosphere in the Polytechnic Park added positive emotions. I am glad that I was able to improve my time by a whole minute compared to last year. Both my daughters participated in the children’s distance. Lera is almost 11 years old, and she managed on her own, and Sasha is still little, so we ran the second lap together. The race at the Polytechnic is dedicated to the memory of Viktor Lyagin, a famous Soviet intelligence officer and a graduate of the Polytechnic. Thus, this event is more of a tribute to memory than a sporting event, and you participate in it at the call of your heart. Thank you to the Polytechnic for continuing the tradition, – shared Alena Aleshina.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.