From February 27 to March 1, the 19th Rostec Demino Ski Marathon took place at the Demino Biathlon and Ski Complex near Rybinsk. Over the course of three days, this vibrant sporting event became a magnet for the skiing community and active recreation enthusiasts not only in the Yaroslavl region but across the country.

"Events like these attract people to sports and, of course, contribute to the region's development. They promote tourism, the Yaroslavl Region, and provide additional business opportunities. Thousands of guests come, see our nature and infrastructure, meet local producers at the fair, and sample the local cuisine. Hotels in Rybinsk and neighboring towns are fully booked, and the famous branded hats are visible on the streets. The Demino Marathon is a great celebration for everyone who enjoys an active lifestyle," said Mikhail Evraev, Governor of the Yaroslavl Region.

The marathon program included seven races, bringing together professional and amateur skiers of all ages, from four-year-olds to participants over 75. A total of approximately 5,000 skiers from eight countries and 60 regions of Russia took part in the competition.

On the first day of competition, approximately 1,200 participants took part in three races. These included 280 young athletes aged 12–14, who competed in the 5 km freestyle. Among the boys, Dmitry Yakunin from the Tula Region achieved the best result (13 minutes 17 seconds), while Alexandra Chistova from the Moscow Region won the girls' race (14.08).

One of the most popular distances, the 10 km freestyle, attracted over 600 participants. The organizers introduced this race several years ago at the request of those who wanted to try their hand at marathoning but weren't yet ready for the serious challenge. The winners were Ivan Kochetkov from the Moscow Region and Kira Lyutaya from the Vladimir Region.

More than 380 skiers competed in the 30 km freestyle race, which was added to the program last year at the request of skiers. Among the men, Odyssey Bogachev from Rybinsk finished first with a time of 1 hour, 29 minutes, 20 seconds. Among the women, Anastasia Sidorova from Petrozavodsk achieved the best result. Also competing on the first day was 2010 Olympic bronze medalist Natalya Korosteleva, mother of 2026 Olympic debutant Savely Korosteleva.

On February 28, more than 2,000 skiers took to the starting line for the "golden" 50 km freestyle race. The overall winners were Dmitry Bagrashov from Izhevsk, who completed the distance in 1 hour, 58 minutes, 38 seconds, and Alena Perevozchikova from Bryansk, who finished in 2 hours, 9 minutes, 3 seconds.

The marathon program concluded with a "silver" start in the 30 km classic style on March 1st. Syktyvkar's Ermil Vokuyev (01:23:19) finished first among the men, his third victory in the classic race in Demino. Bryansk's Alena Perevozchikova (1:32:06) completed a gold marathon double, winning both the 50 and 30 km women's races.

On the third day of the 19th Rostec Demino Ski Marathon, children's races were held as companions to the main program: a 1 km baby marathon for children aged 4-8 and a 2 km race for children aged 9-11. Young skiers from the Yaroslavl, Moscow, Vologda, Tver, Arkhangelsk, and other regions took part.

This year, a "Family Competition" was introduced for the first time, combining the performances of parents and children. The Maxi hypermarket partnered with the new format. The family of renowned skier Nikolai Morilov took the lead.

Marathon guests enjoyed concert venues, photo zones, a food court, and a fair featuring sporting goods and local products.

"We made every effort to ensure the sporting event was engaging for a wide range of guests and fans. This year, a large 25-by-9-meter screen (the largest on a cross-country skiing and biathlon track in Russia) was installed in the stadium in front of the stands. Now fans can see not only the athletes' start and finish, but also their competition on the track, making the event far more spectacular and engaging," emphasized Dmitry Rudakov, Mayor of Rybinsk. "And before each start, there's a vibrant musical and choreographic welcome to the marathon runners and fans—a formation—that's our signature Rybinsk theme."

The All-Russian Sled Festival, which took place on the slopes of the complex, supported the sports and entertainment program.

"We organized our own venue to introduce guests to alpine sleds—professional sports equipment that anyone can operate. The program includes demonstrations and master classes from luge champions," said Natalia Gart, President of the Russian Luge Federation.

Igor Samoilov, Director of the Demino Marathons Sports and Recreation Center, summed up the results and announced preparations for the anniversary event:

"Thank you to everyone who joined us these three days. Your emotions and support are our greatest reward. We are already beginning preparations for the next marathon. In 2027, it will be 20 years since the first marathon in Demino—this is a special date, and we will do everything we can to make it a memorable one," noted Igor.