On Tuesday, August 4, 2020, the pigeons were basketed for three of the most important races of the season: Berlin National, Birzai National and Izium National. In the already characteristic style of this type of competition, we are talking about stages where thousands of pigeons have been engaged and which, for sure, will have a thrilling ending.

Perhaps even the most optimistic of the fanciers in Romania did not see themselves, at the beginning of this problematic year, on the day of basketing for one of the competitions Berlin National, Birzai National or Izium National. However, this long-awaited day has come, and the pigeons have already been engaged for these true “finals” of this year’s pigeon championship.

Berlin National: 5,849 pigeons and 904 fanciers

At the National Berlin, a race organized by the Bihor Pigeon Association, this year 5,849 pigeons and 904 pigeon fanciers will participate. Of the three national stages that will take place at the end of this week, Berlin National is not, in terms of the number of pigeons, the largest. But, Berlin National is the stage that covers most of the country. Fanciers from no less than 22 counties will be waiting for their pigeons from Berlin, mentioning here areas such as Botoșani, Suceava, Brăila, Brașov, or Olt.

13,036 pigeons and 1,047 fanciers participate in Birzai National 2020

Instead, Birzai National is the stage that will have the most pigeons at the launch site. At the end of the basketing days, the contest organized by the Neamț Pigeon Association reached the huge figure of 13,036 pigeons. Over a thousand fanciers from 16 county associations have chosen to hire their pigeons at this stage, the longest distances in the competition being found in the counties of Prahova, Constanța, Buzău or Tulcea.

Izium Național, the stage with the most fanciers involved

If the other two stages are highlighted by the number of participating pigeons or counties, this year’s Izium National competition holds the record for most participating fanciers. The 1,350 pigeon fanciers who hired their pigeons at this year’s edition of the Izium Național stage represent, until now, the largest number of fanciers registered at any race in Romania. No less important is the number of pigeons employed at Izium Național, because we are talking about a stage with 11,881 pigeons.

The launch for the three races is scheduled for Friday, August 7, 2020, and considering that other marathon stages will take place in the same weekend, but not national, we can say that the 2020 season ends with a real show of strength.