The last race of 2019 occured in the Estonian city of Tartu. The track is excellent, but such weak organizing we had not experienced. Chaos in logistics. How can there be a situation where the start for 11 year old girls is 3 HOURS late?!?! The 800m race started at 21:50... But now the athletics part. On the first race day Stella Paltiņa and Roberts Cercins started in sprints. Both had the 200m sprint. On the second race day (night) Renāte Beļājeva set a new PR and got silver in 800m! Somewhat of a risky maneuver was made with Roberts Glazers, who set off shortly after recovering from being sick. Roberts got 3rd place, but how he himself admitted - no freshness.

2019 is rapidly coming to a close, and in this period of time between two athletic cycles, Ašais runners once again visited the Lithuanian city Klaipėda, in which occured the international competition - Maniežos Taure 2019. In this race participated U16 & U18 athletes from Lithuania, Latvia and Russia. An excellent participation went down for Renāte Beļājeva, who won in the 1000m distance and set a new PB, and finished only 0.14 slower than the first place in the 600m distance. Knowing Renātes' accelerative abilities, only God know, how it would've went down if they both had been in the same heat. Till the end there was hope, that Roberts Glazers would set off in the track, but we decided to "save" Roberts for the future and not risk him getting sick. Sore throat...   With this, club has won 116 medals in the year 2019! Will be run to 120? Results - here! A few photos - here!

As fast as a lightning bolt reaches the surface of the earth the indoor has once again arrived. Traditionally, the end of the year is the time when a competition occurs in Limbažu olympic center for Vidzemes region, Ogres and Ādažu athletes (for U14 and U16 age groups). This was the first competition in the new age groups, respectively Stella Paltiņa has started in U14 age group, who was the first to set off. Stella's first start in U14 was excellent wininng gold in 600m and setting a new PB - 1:51,4! Third place for Roberts Cercins in 600m also in the U14 age group. However gold in the U16 age group went to Ričards Špacs, but Elza Niklase finished second with a new PB in 800m. An excellent start of the season. Manege workouts start just next week, which will give even more added value. Photos - here!

At the moment our rithm is more grounded. Regular and hard work is being put in to workouts in order to be rady for winter season. Despite this Ašais runners are blowing up the competitin in their local sporting events, which are hosted by their educational establishment. As the first one to destroy the competition, Renāte Beļājeva won the Lāčplēša days cross in the 6km distance in Pārgaujas region. Next up was Cesis city highschools' competition for men of strength. Ašais athlete Roberts Glazers got 2nd place in this competition. roberts also got 3rd place the following day in Cesis school competition in volleyball. However, in Cesis 2. middle school, in the strength days' competition, absolute triumph went to our athletes - Ričards Špacs and Stella Paltiņa. we are truly proud! Citius Altius Fortius!!! Photos - here!

The most anticipated event of autumn is here! On the Estonian island of Saaremaa SC Ašais has once again made the journey to compete for the 7th time in this magical 3 day race. The first race day was very promising. In the youth 2km distance Roberts Glazers 3rd from all runners and 1st. Stella Paltiņa 2nd, losing just 0,4 seconds. Fourth in the P11 age group is Ričards Špacs, however Roberts Cercins 6th. In the girls T14 age group Elza Niklase and Renāte Beļājeva fighting for the pedestal. In the main race, running with fast men, Artis Rožkalns finishes the 10km distance in 34:08 - 15th place. Afterwards a yourney to furthest point of the island. Photos of the first race day - here!

Another year of participating in Stirnu Buks has passed! Final race occured in Ozolkalns. This track was very hard. The toughest runners were able to test themseves, and the weaker ones could hope that they make it to the finish line. Almost all members set off in this race, apart from Rihards Serģis, who is fighting his running battles in the USA. In Ozolklans race there were three pedestals fro SC Ašais runners - Victorious in overall ranking, and in U20 age group was Artis Rožkalns, another victory for Roberts Glazers and 4th place in overall ranking, however silver for Stella Paltiņa! This time no pedestal for Renāte Beļājeva and the weakest year for her overall (7th place). Something did'nt work the way expected. Furthermore in the olimpic 6 is Roberts Cercins in the U14 age group (6th place) and Elza Niklase in the U16 age group (6th place).

As usual, autumn is the time the when teams of USA colleges start their rivalry in various cross races. The oldest Ašais member Rihards Serģis has returned to the USA to continue his studies in Colby college and to continue representing his college in many different competitions. On september 27th happened Emporia State Invitational cross competition. As Rihards informs, his back problems have declined. In total ranking Rihards had completed 8km cross in 30:36,20 minutes being 32nd from 76 competitors. Rihards was the second fastest from his team, but victorious was his teammate from Kenya. There is some work until Rihards' great physical form, because his PR in this distance in 27:39,60. If his health will alow it, PR will fall. Season is just starting, we have high hopes!

As we previously mentioned, Artis has been running like a cheetah, despite lots of base trainings and he showed his speed and endurance representing Vidzemes Technology and design technical school in AMI sports games. With two gold medals in our distances - 1500m and 400m -, this time bronze  in the AMI sports games cross competition. The outcome could have been different, because the lack of rivalry prohibited Artis from reaching his full potential. Artis without a sweat was first in his heat, but in other heats there were faster runners, who could've made Artis fight even harder for the pedestal. Seven seconds to silver and over 10 seconds to gold in the 3k cross. Anyhow - September has been excellent and October is going to be just as good if not better! 

Despite the fact that Ašais runners are saving up energy in order to performe excellently in the winter season, there are some "test" competitions in the off season period, and Artis Rožkalns has been participating in these a bit more than others. This time Artis Rožkalns tested his limits in Cesis region highschool athletics competition. Despite the fact, that lately workouts have been about building base, Artis performed excellently in the 400m distance being the absolute champion and coming very close to his PR.  But this isn't all - on thursday Artis will compete in the AMI cross championship, in which he will be able to show his base in the 3000m distance.

Whats is AMI? Latvian Republic Profesional education sports club , which organizes competitions in Latvia for the professional schools. Because Artis Rožkalns spends his educative days in Vidzemes Technology and Design technical school, he went to defend his schools' honor in republics" competition. His victory unchallenged. Congratulations!

Almost a week had passed in the Czech republic for our fast runners. What was the scale of the event? 19 EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. In the three days of the event there lots of new adventures and experiences. The capital was also explored thorougly. Opening ceremony ended of course with fireworks. On the first race day, two Ašais runners set off in the stadium - Renāte Beļājeva in the 60m sprint and Ričards Špacs in the 800m distance. It's important to mention that our main distance is 800m, that is why the 60m sprint was just as prophylaxis for Renāte. 800m wasn't available for athletes born in 2004. Renātes' result as always on a great level.

The evening of september 9th was very special. In the stadium of Brno many hundreds of athletes had come to participate in European Kids Athletics Games opening ceremony. The new athletes from Czech Republic, Italy, Bulgaria, Ungaria, Latvia and other countries walked in the ceremonial parade holding their clubs' or schools' flagstone. SC Ašais was one of the clubs to participate! The whole evening was an athletics fiesta! The main event is awaits ahead - the competition. On tuesday and wednesday Ašais runners will compete with tens of peers in their disciplines! More stories will follow soon! Photos - here!

SC Ašais runners have arrived a few days early in the Czech Republic to take the paths of tourists and see new places and have a good time together. Furthermore tonight will be the official  opening of european Kids athletics games, which will continue for the next two days - tuesday and wednesday respectively. About that in the next story from Czechia. Some scenes from - here!

While most Ašais athletes have gone to Czech Republic to participate in European kids athletics games, Artis Rožkalns is the only Ašais athlete in Krimuldas Stirnu buks. It is clear, that the goal was only onw thing - to win. And he did just that, therefore securing his victory overall in the leaderboard. This years' last Stirnu buks part will be in Cesis, where Ašais athletes will be in full composition, in order to arrange their place in the leaderboard and finish another year of Stirnu buks. Till Cesis Stirnu Buks!

Organizing ašais athletes by their respective age groups, we come to have 1x in U12, 2x in U14, 3x in U16, 1x in U18, 1x in U20 and 1x U23. If agree, that the most important medals of the season are ones from Latvian championships, then every third athlete has won one!!! Two silver and one bronze medal. Silver goes to Ričards Špacs of U14 age group and also Renāte Beļājeva of U16 age group. Bronze goes to Rihards Serģis of U23. But wait, there is more! In the TOP 6 in country is Roberts Glazers both in the 800m and the 1500m distance(both 5th). Renāte Beļājeva too in the 400m distance(4th), Artis Rožkalns in the 800m distance (5th & 6th). Artis also has the highest IAAF score - 839 points for 1:56,87 in 800m. Furthermore in the TOP 10 is Elza Niklase in 1500m and 800m(8th & 10th). In seasons best results, Ašais athletes are again in the TOP positions. In the U14 age group, Ričards Špacs 2nd in 1000m distance. In the U16 age group Roberts Glazers 2nd with an excellent result in the 1500m distance and 6th in the 800m distance. Renāte Beļājeva 4th in 400m and 800m, but Artis Rožkalns 4th in 800m in the U20 age group. We have to mention Stellas' Paltiņas' starts this season. Because Latvian championships will start for her only next year (when she will be in U14 age group) , we can compare respective age group results, and anilizing the results we can safely say, she would've gotten a medal. Waiting for the first season of U14. But now a little rest, so we can soon make new goals!

While Ašais athletes are testing their limits in Alūksne, Ašais hiperactive bomb Roberts Glazers is spending his time in the Swedish city of Karlstad to participate in Baltic Sea Games. Roberts started in the rather unusual distance of 2000m. He started promisingly, winning 3rd place with a pre-record - 6:16,32! We are happy for Roberts' first international start being a member of the Latvian team. We are certain, that just now everything is starting! Awaiting new challanges!

In the athletic spirits this summer season, Ašais athletes once again participate in Stirnu buks. This time in the beautiful Pilssala of Alūksne, though unable to fully enjoy the race, due to the bad weather. Alūksne stayed unexplored. Unfortunately another mishap occured to Artis Rožkalns - to fast of a pace for the few indications in the track. Lack of indications led Artis from the track costing him the result. Roberts Glazers, who at the time was in the Baltic Sea sports games, let his Latvian peers get the pedestal much easier. all in all, Ašais runners participated honorably, winning 3x bronze medals and the fastest team status. Been and will be better. We will be back for gold! Third place for Renāte Beļājeva in U16 age group, Stella Paltiņa in U12 and the flying Dutchman -  Artis Rožkalns.

With the start of Ričards Špacs in Latvian U14 age group championship summer season continues in the athletics tracks. Continuing with a blast! As usual, in U14 age group there are many participants. As well in the 1000m distance 27 young runners step on the start line, including our only U14 athlete. Competition was fierce! No joke, because 6 similar level runners were all aiming for the pedestal. Even with the imense and nerve-wrecking tension, Ričards fought like an animal, winning a silver medal in the U14 Latvian championship and setting a new PB - 3:05,58. Thus finishing U14 age group excellently - gold medal indoors and silver in stadium. Next year awaits new expiriences! Photos - here!

Two stormy days, both literally and figuratively have endured 3 Ašais U16 age group athletes. First race day in Ventspils olimpic center stadium was very windy. On the start line first set foot Elza Niklase in the 1500m distance. Have to mention that this was her first start in this distance. Finished in honor. In her first Latvian champioship Elza was in 8th place, leaving a considerable reserve for improving her result. Second to set off was Roberts Glazers. The statistical place beforehand let us hope for a medal, however the God of sports had a different idea - Roberts 5th in 1000m.