MaK created the Manchester Peace Park Run in 2006 with Nova International (Great Run) in 2006. UK Race Director Charlie Mussett and Marketing Director, David Hart from Nova International (Britain’s premier Run organisation) worked on site with MAK and local athletics leaders. In 2008 the run attracted over 3,000 people. 8 athletics clubs competed in the elite field. By 2011 this had developed into a half marathon and huge children’s event.
Now in its sixth year, managed by Armend Bajgora and Avdullah Shala of Llapi Athletics Club with the Kosova Athletics Fereration (KAF), the Run is a major fixture in the Kosovo athletics calendar. MaK works closely with Llapi Athletics Club, a thriving running club which now has a strong junior section.
The prize for the first Manchester Peace Park Run was to run in the international elite field of the Great Manchester Run. MaK hosted the visits of athletes Rrahim Mani and Myrvete Pervetica who represented Kosovo both in Manchester and in the Great North Run.
In 2012 two of Kosova’s finest athletes, Meriton Hasanaj and Gresa Bakraçi, competed alongside world class athletes in Manchester, sponsored by Kosova Athletics Fereration, Nova International (Great Run) and MaK. Both athletes thoroughly enjoyed the experience, with Meriton achieving a PB of 30 minutes 48.
With Nova International, MaK now provides UK based event management placements for our young sports leaders from Kosovo on the Great Manchester Junior and Adult Runs. This enables Kosovo’s emergent athletics leaders to gain wider skills and experience.
In 2013 MaK and Nova International invited Llapi Athletics Club member Rita Hajdini andn Pejë athlete Gresa Bakraçi to compete in UK. Rita came second in the Junior event of the Great Manchester Run and proudly received her cup from Kim Collins.
