Perm Marathoner Vladimir Nikitin's Story of 35 Titles
Vladimir«s main support — his wife Yulia
Perm resident Vladimir Nikitin is a record holder, a 35-time Russian champion, the country«s best distance runner, and the headliner of the Perm Marathon. In May this year, he set a Russian record in the Kazan Marathon. Later, he sold the sneakers and shirt he wore for that record at a charity auction, sending the two million rubles raised (about $22,000 at current rates) to develop a school in his hometown of Peshigort. Another record this year was his victory in the 10-kilometer race at the Russian Athletics Championships. We attended a meeting with the marathoner and learned his story.
Vladimir with his wife Yulia and friends
A distance runner is an athlete specializing in long-distance running.
Vladimir«s records are already being called “another”
The meeting with the famous marathoner took place on his birthday — August 5 — in the lecture hall of the Perm Art Gallery. The athlete turned 34. The film “Vladimir Nikitin: It«s All a Path” (0+) was presented, and fans asked him questions.
“I ran to the store for bread. That«s how I»ve been running ever since”
Vladimir Nikitin was born in the village of Peshigort in the Komi-Permyak Okrug into a large family, the youngest of six children. The family valued work, and each child had assigned chores.
“I had to prepare firewood and light the stove so the older ones could cook, — says Vladimir Nikitin. — I also had to haul water. From morning till night I went to the pump and carried water — for the bathhouse, for watering… I don«t know how many liters it was — a lot, probably. The neighbors laughed — ‘It»s 9:00, let«s see — he»s about to start going back and forth for water again.’ And I also ran to the store for bread. They told me, ‘One foot here, the other there.’ And so every day, even when sometimes there were only 10 minutes left before the store closed. That«s how I»ve been running ever since.”
The only section at Vladimir«s school was cross-country skiing. So Vladimir took up skiing and even achieved the Candidate Master of Sports standard in it.
After finishing school, Vladimir enrolled at the Perm Polytechnic College named after Slavyano for mechanical fitter. There, he was noticed by honored coach Nikolai Suvorov, under whose guidance the 18-year-old began professional running and made progress. The unique sports union of coach and athlete continues to this day — for over 15 years.
“I already wanted to return the tickets and fly home”
Vladimir Nikitin calls running his job, and a beloved one. At training and races, he can always be seen smiling — a Gagarin-like smile, as fans note. The athlete gives the impression of a happy person, but admits that he too experiences fatigue and emotional lows.
“The first 10-12 days of training were hell, I«d go out for a run — my legs wouldn»t move, high heart rate, I already wanted to return the tickets and fly home, — the marathoner continues. — But the coach said I had to endure. That«s what happened — after a few workouts it got better, and I flew to Moscow for a competition.”
His mood returned after a victory in Moscow, where the athlete set another record in the 10-kilometer distance, and he threw himself into training with renewed strength.
“I just run, that«s all”
Fans asked Vladimir Nikitin about his heart rate, technique details, and also what music he listens to while running and what he thinks about.
“I don«t listen to music, only sometimes the radio, — the athlete admitted. — And actually, I don»t think about anything when I run. During a race, I only hear the coach«s voice and keep a clear plan in mind. Every lap, when I run up to the coach, he shouts something to me, and I have to hear him. I just run, that»s all. Got up, brushed my teeth in the morning, had breakfast, and went for a run — it«s already a habit.”
We asked who supports Vladimir and rejoices in his successes.
“My parents are no longer alive, but I think they see and rejoice in my successes, — Vladimir told 59.RU. — My beloved wife Yulia, wonderful daughter, and son are always by my side. They support me and cheer for me, and lately they«ve even been coming to races with me.”
Earlier, we told the story of the beautiful Perm woman Alina Nalbandyan — she has two red diplomas and a world champion title.
