Popolana 2008 - 2ND DAY OF POPOLANA IN ROVINJ

Sirotić's 18-kilometer-row and Kmačić Pellizzer's 80-kilometer marathon

The second day of Rovinj’s Popolana, a sports and recreation event organized by Town Authorities, Rovinj Tourist Board, Maistra and Rovinj Sports Federation continued offering a series of sports victories.

Mario Sirotić, a multiple Guinness world record holder in wrist push-ups was greeted by loud applause from the crowd. He is also a veteran state champion in indoor rowing who succeeded in setting his new personal record by finishing an 18-kilometer-row in only 80 minutes that was greeted with cheers from the excited crowd.

In addition to many sports events including Nordic running, speedmington, indoor rowing, card playing tournaments (in briškula and trešeta), darts, chess, town cross and other programs, a special attraction was a collective exercise under the ‘1+1=Rovinj -Rovigno is Working Out’ slogan.

Led by cheerful, imaginative and skilled Dorina Markoci, women demonstrated aerobics workout and showed their dance skills. In one moment everyone started dancing to the rhythm and local amateur dancers and numerous female tourists participated equally.

Popolana and its motto ‘With Sports from Streets and Squares to Nature and Tourism’ united Rovinj and Vrsar, from where the first cycling race Maistrana 2008 started.

Numerous contestants, the youngest and the oldest contestant, the biggest team and those who travelled the farthest to participate have been presented with awards.

Humanitarian stalls attracted many people from the early morning hours. They bought T-shirts to raise money for the members of the Rovinj Association of People with Disabilities. Citizens of Rovinj and tourists selflessly donated money and showed their kindness that resulted in another eighteen thousand kunas which, together with yesterday’s donations, equal thirty-six thousand kunas which is a significant amount.

To improve sales the Mayor Giovanni Sponza and Deputy Mayor Marino Budicin joined the members of the Rovinj Association of People with Disabilities. Mirjana Kmačić Pellizzer showed special kindness and, together with her colleagues, Marie Luise Malvestiti, a marathon runner from Milan, Lenart Oblak from Rovinj, Predrag Živković from Umag and Slađan Dragojević from Buje, at 7.30 in the morning started the run to Pula carrying nine and a half kilograms of candy on her back and stopped at noon at the local school (Škola za odgoj i obrazovanje). Mirjana and her friends received a warm welcome from students and parents as well as members of the Pula Navy Scouts. After refreshment the marathon runner continued the run and arrived to Rovinj at 17 o’clock. Mirjana crossed the finish line in the main town square with young members of the Rovinj Association of People with Disabilities who, depending on their possibilities, joined her in the last few meters of the marathon and they were all welcomed by many citizens. The fastest women in Rovinj was congratulated by her fellow citizens, representatives of Town Authorities and Odete Sapač, Manageress of the Tourist Board, who presented her flowers and a plaque as a token of gratitude for her effort and altruism.

The second day was exciting and it ended with a performance by the local Party Band that entertained people of Rovinj and their guests with good live music until the early morning hours.

TURISTIČKA ZAJEDNICA ROVINJ COMUNITA' TURISTICA DI ROVIGNO