History Through Sport
The Sybir Memorial Run combines sport, historical education, and remembrance to honour the victims of Soviet repression. Organised annually since 2019 by the Sybir Memorial Museum and the Białystok Biega Foundation, it has become an established event dedicated to commemorating the experiences of those deported by the Soviet regime.
The run takes place every February to mark the anniversary of the first mass deportation of Polish citizens on 10 February 1940. On that day, more than 100,000 people were forcibly deported from the Soviet-occupied eastern territories of the Second Polish Republic to remote regions of the Soviet Union. This marked the beginning of one of the darkest chapters in Poland’s twentieth-century history.
The route leads through a forest and is completed after dark, creating a unique and reflective atmosphere. Along the course, participants encounter historical re-enactments, artistic installations, and narrated stories inspired by the experiences of the deportees. As a result, the event is not only a sporting challenge but also a moving encounter with history.
While Białystok remains the main venue, the run has also been held in Wrocław in recent years. A virtual edition allows people around the world to participate by registering and completing a minimum distance of five kilometres at a location of their choice. In this way, remembrance of the Sybiraks (Polish citizens deported by the Soviet regime) extends beyond regional and national borders, bringing together thousands of participants across the globe.
The event is open to everyone, regardless of age or running experience, including descendants of deportees, recreational runners, and anyone interested in history. Participants may dedicate their run to a chosen deportee as a symbolic act of remembrance and solidarity. Every participant receives a commemorative medal. Since 2022, the medal designs have been inspired by artefacts from the collections of the Sybir Memorial Museum.
By bringing together sport, education, and remembrance, the Sybir Memorial Run offers a distinctive way of engaging new generations with the history of Soviet deportations while preserving the memory of those who endured them.
