Rajecké Teplice/Žilina 13th Maj (TASR) - On the start of the Jozef Gabčík Memorial in Rajecké Teplice-Poluvsie on Saturday, almost 350 runners gathered. “The event paid tribute to the memory of a direct participant in the assassination of the acting Reichsprotektor Reinhard Heydrich in Prague in 1942.” This information was provided by the spokesperson for the Special Operations Forces, Lieutenant Colonel Mário Pažický. He noted that the fastest runner was Kristián Brezáni from the Maratón klub Rajec, with a time of 41 minutes and 12 seconds.
     The history of the memorial dates back to the early days of the 5th Special Forces Regiment (5th SFR) in Žilina, which bears the honorary name of Gabčík. "The eleven-kilometer run from Poluvsie to Žilina was initially intended only for soldiers and police officers, but gradually civilian runners began to participate," explained Lieutenant Colonel Pažický. Later, the event found its place in the sports calendar and became a significant occasion.
     "I am extremely pleased that, together with my soldiers, we are deepening and spreading the idea of Jozef Gabčík's heroic act, especially in these times, by commemorating the anniversary of Operation Anthropoid and the 29th edition of this run," said Colonel Peter Žochňák, the Commander of the 5th SFR.
     The Deputy Commander of Special Operations Forces, Colonel Pavol Šebík, emphasized Gabčík's message of patriotism. "Jozef Gabčík put the security of all of us above his own security. Building national pride is particularly important in these times," Colonel Šebík stated.
     Medical support and refreshments were provided along the track. The program of the event included commemorative acts near Gabčík's birthplace and at his memorial in Žilina. Within the premises of the Žilina´s Regiment, there were running competitions for preschool and elementary school children, static and dynamic dispalys by the Žilina Fire and Rescue Brigade, members of military history clubs, and the personnel of the 5th SFR. The accompanying program was provided by the musical group AYA.