Hunger after running. Prague is known for the date of the marathon and other popular races
Two years with coronavirus, two years without large running races in Prague. Everything is supposed to be different this year. The organizers from RunCzech finally announced the dates for the marathon and relays. They expect up to 40,000 runners to gather in the metropolis.
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Prague Marathon: Charles Bridge
| Photo: DENÍK / Martin Divíšek
“After a two-year postponement, we expect huge interest,” said Carlo Capalbo, president of the RunCzech organizing committee.
Iconic shots of thousands of runners on Charles Bridge to the sound of a melody by Bedřich Smetana will fly around the world again after two years. After all, moments from the Volkswagen Marathon are usually broadcast in 131 countries with a reach of over 700 million viewers.
“We perceive that there is a huge hunger for healthy active movement and travel. This is something we all need at the moment. We can also take the marathon in Prague as a symbolic start to return to normal,” said the mayor of Prague Zdeněk Hřib.
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Registrants from 2020 were given the automatic opportunity to apply as a priority this year as well. The organizers contacted each runner. However, the capacity for the new one has become free, but there are not so many places. “We don’t have the opportunity to increase the number of beginners,” Capalbo added.
The organizers accept registration for popular Prague races from Monday, February 14.
The 1/2 Prague Marathon (April 2) will take place in April, and the team 1/2 Marathon, Medical Run and Rescue and Security Run will also take place as part of the weekend. In May (May 8), the Volkswagen Marathon Weekend awaits running enthusiasts together with the dm family run. This will include the Czech Marathon Championship and the junior marathon final. In June, the Prague Relay in the Exhibition Grounds in Holešovice is planned (June 22 and 23). In September, the program will include the popular Birell Grand Prix, ie the Birell 10-kilometer run and the adidas 5-kilometer run for women (3.9.).
In addition, this year the Mattoni regional races will take place in Karlovy Vary, České Budějovice, Olomouc, Ústí nad Labem and the Mattoni Liberec Nature Run. “Interest is great, so far over fifty percent of capacity has sold out,” Capalbo concluded.
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