Europa Regionum

The aim of the article is to evaluate the interest of local government in the organization (or co-participation in the organization) of running events taking place within their boundaries, as well as, the degree of running events being used to promote the region and its natural values. To assess the involvement of local governments in the organisation process, running events held in Poland in the second half of 2016 were analysed. Based on the available regulations, 964 running events were classified by the organizer of the run and the purpose of the event. The obtained data shows that local councils are involved in the organization of every third event; and boroughs in 14%. Among the local governments, Podkarpackie district is pre-eminent and Malopolskie displays the lowest level of involvement. Regarding objectives, every third running event is designed to promote municipality, every fourth - region, and every fifth - natural values. These objectives are mostly present in events taking place in Pomorskie and Warmińsko – Mazurskie district. The weakest emphasis on the promotion of municipality during the running events puts Lubuskie, region – Opolskie and natural assets – Kujawsko-Pomorkie district. Translated by Elżbieta Nazari