That meeting was predestined. From youth both of them have been doing sports, active, beautiful and young – Viktor and Olga Kovalyovs. Each of them already had a good experience, and great love to sports and each other was mutual! 30 years of strong family happiness passed since that moment.

- «Olga engaged in speed skating even in school years. She entered the select team, she ran there, as well as long distances. 

Afterwards there was a choice between study and sports. And Olga engaged in rock climbing.

I was also doing this type of sports. The most interesting thing is that we got acquainted at the race – there were double-event competitions: running + rock climbing. But for myself I consider that we started running from Almaty Marathon», - Viktor Kovalyov remembers the first meetings. Working in the IT speciality, which is not associated with sports in any way, physical education is not just a passion for Viktor, it is a style! 

In spite of an active social way of living and full-time engagement, Kovalyovs never miss their favorite sports events.

«In recent times  we do not have enough time for trainings, but we keep on participating at races! On the 11th of February we four of us will take part  at the Love Run race, on the 18th of February I with my wife will be at skyrunning competitions NIHON RIDGE RACE, and the closing event of this month  is on the 24th of February, the Winter race from Almaty Marathon», - Viktor shared his plans.

We always see the sweet couple at the start at our events. It touches very much. Support and reverential relations between Viktor and Olga distinguish them among the crowd immediately.

Every year marriage proposals are made at Almaty Marathon – it is very fascinating and touching! But watching over results of the sporty family couple and simple relations between them year by year is much more spectacular, since this is the happiness – common family values.

«In 2014 and 2015 I with the wife ran 10 km at Almaty Marathon. We were not ready and did it slowly. But by 2016 Marathon we came prepared and both of us ran out of two hours. For us it is a good indicator, taking into account our age and the fact that before this we did not run regularly.

And in 2017 we went for a full marathon distance 42 km. Unfortunately, in the process of preparation I got sick with flu and infected the wife. We took the treatment one and a half month and came to the start. The result was very good. We are satisfied with it. The wife took the 3-rd place in her age category. Our family tries to run together. My son Aleksey, daughter Irina, wife Olga and me. Last year the children ran 21 km, and it was not bad, taking into account that they had very little preparation. This year I am planning to run 42 km, Olga’s planning to run 21 km», - Viktor tells about races, preparation, results and family victories with enthusiasm!

When parents are sporty, children get involved into passions of the older from childhood. It did not fail to spot the Kovalyov family. From early age the mother took Lyosha and Ira to different sports classes. Triathlon, rhythmic gymnastics and swimming. Both of them are engaged professionally in the latter kind of sports.

«The daughter is doing sports regularly. She focuses on pilates and yoga. And the son is not so active now, as Ira, but I hope that he will find time for a healthy lifestyle», - Viktor laughs.

Being a permanent participant of Almaty Marathon, Victor responds about the event with warmth:

«Almaty Marathon is our favorite start, it is not like the rest starts are secondary, but they are dependant exactly on the major for us start, which will take place on the 22nd of April. The Marathon stirred up running not only in Almaty, but in Kazakhstan in whole! If it were not You, there would be no such crowd in other organizers».

Skepticism of many people, who look distrustfully at those, who love running with all their heart, break from such stories. Running unites not only sportsmen and amateurs, but also hearts, making the goal single, healthy and large-scale! 

«Sometimes, we run together, sometimes separately. Olya likes to run long distances with headphones and she does not need me besideJ What is the advantage of running? It is a big company. Owing to running a lot of good acquaintances appeared.  And we run not with each other, but with the community. Running unites; there are someone to talk to for me and her». Viktor told such mini family stories, cozy and sportive.

It is important to find that very wonderful person in life, who will make you happy with his/her best qualities, and you will go along together to one single goal. Or he/she will have the same passions and «weirdness» just like you do, and due to this you will get synchronized and feel good. The first and the second is the happinessJ The main point is to find it! Congratulations on the love day!

 

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