Over eleven thousand locals in Nizhny Novgorod joined the regional race known as "We are for ZOZ!" marathon.
The annual "We for a Healthy Lifestyle!" marathon in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, returned on August 17, 2025, with a focus on promoting physical activity and wellbeing among residents. This public event is closely tied to the national project "Long and Active Life," a government initiative aimed at improving the health and longevity of the population by encouraging healthy lifestyle habits [1].
This year's marathon took place on 14 different platforms across the city, with the central square of Kstovo serving as the main venue. The event attracted approximately 11,000 participants, who engaged in various sports competitions designed for guests of all ages and fitness levels [2].
In addition to the sports activities, the marathon also offered a range of health-related services. A "Health Tent" served as the centre for medical examinations in Kstovo, offering free consultations from qualified specialists [3]. Mammography, fluorography, ECG examinations, and consultations with cardiologists were among the services available [4]. Mobile medical complexes were also on hand for guests to undergo screening examinations in Kstovo [5].
The national project "Long and Active Life" involves the development of a network of national research centres and the digitalization of the healthcare industry [6]. It also includes 11 federal projects, such as "Health for All," "Modernization of Primary Healthcare," "Medical Personnel," and others, with the aim to modernize polyclinics, ambulatories, feldsher-midwife stations, attract more qualified medical personnel, and improve emergency medical care and rehabilitation systems [7].
Natalia Savitskaya, the chief physician of the Nizhny Novgorod Regional Center for Public Health and Medical Prevention, emphasized the importance of the marathon for fostering a culture of healthy living in the region [8]. She highlighted that the marathon serves as a practical platform to engage the community in fitness activities and support the goals of the "Long and Active Life" project by fostering a culture of movement and health awareness in Nizhny Novgorod.
The marathon began in April 2025 as part of World Health Day celebrations [9]. Over 6,000 medical examinations and consultations were conducted during the marathon, with an additional 700 examinations and consultations conducted on August 18 [10]. For the youngest participants, a special interactive corner with animators was organized [11].
The "We for a Healthy Lifestyle!" marathon in Nizhny Novgorod continues to be a valuable resource for the community, promoting physical activity, wellness, and a culture of healthy living in the region.
[1] National project "Long and Active Life" [2] Participants in the "We for a Healthy Lifestyle!" marathon [3] Health Tent [4] Medical examinations and consultations [5] Mobile medical complexes [6] National project "Long and Active Life": Development of national research centers and digitalization of the industry [7] Federal projects under the national project "Long and Active Life" [8] Natalia Savitskaya, the chief physician of the Nizhny Novgorod Regional Center for Public Health and Medical Prevention [9] World Health Day [10] Additional medical examinations and consultations [11] Special interactive corner for the youngest participants
- The marathon's focus on physical activity and wellbeing extends to various aspects of health, including chronic kidney disease, respiratory conditions, and digestive health.
- Workplace-wellness programs could be introduced to address chronic diseases in the region, encouraging preventive measures for conditions like chronic kidney disease.
- Awareness about medical-conditions like chronic-kidney-disease, chronic-diseases, respiratory-conditions, and digestive-health can be enhanced through educational sessions at the "Health Tent".
- Eye-health is another important aspect of overall health, and screenings for vision problems could be offered at future marathons.
- The digitalization of the healthcare industry, as part of the national project "Long and Active Life", could open doors for innovative solutions like telemedicine and digital patient records.
- Fitness-and-exercise is a crucial component of managing autoimmune-disorders, mental-health, and skin-care.
- Weight-management strategies, including diet and exercise, can be promoted at the marathon to prevent further health complications for participants.
- CBD, derived from cannabis, is being researched for its potential benefits in managing various health issues, including chronic pain and mental health conditions.
- Sports-betting may not directly contribute to Health-and-wellness, but responsible participation can provide an additional incentive for people to engage in physical activity and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
