The world record holder Rhonex Kipruto will also come to the Birell Grand Prix Prague
Running fans have a lot to look forward to. The 25th edition of the Birell 10 km Run in Prague on September 3 will also include the world record holder Rhonex Kipruto running on this course. In addition to the King of Kenya, who was a member of the home RunCzech Racing team in the past, other stars will also come to the Birell Grand Prix Prague. One of them is this year’s champion of Ethiopia in the 10,000 meters Tadese Worku, another Kenyan Kenedy Kimutai or his compatriot Irene Cheptey, the cross country world champion from 2017. At the start of the popular race, proud of the World Athletics Label Road Race, thousands of competitors from 74 countries will compete in the evening. The biggest Czech hopes will be Jakub Zemaník, Jiří Homoláč and Eva Vrabcová-Nývltová.
“The starting list of the Birell 10 kilometer Run is full of big names. But the Birell Grand Prix is not only about great times, it is also about experiencing the magical atmosphere of evening Prague,” said Carlo Capalbo, chairman of the RunCzech organizing committee.
Rhonex Kipruto is one of the brightest perennials of recent times. The 22-year-old Kenyan ran a world record of 26:24 on the road in Valencia in January 2020. Two years earlier, he had already set the all-time best time in Prague, crossing the finish line in 26:46, just one second away from the then-record. However, he still holds the track record with this performance. And who knows, in ideal conditions he may attack him this year.
Thanks to the fast track, the Prague Birell 10 km run always promises great performances. After all, in its annals, the historically best women’s time of 29:43 is still recorded (this year a time of 29:14 was also run, but it is awaiting ratification). Kenyan Joyciline Jepkosgei is responsible for it. Although she will not fly to the Czech capital this time, she will have a very high-quality representation. Her compatriot Irene Cheptey currently ranks ninth in the world rankings and would like to improve her personal record (30:35) at the Birell Grand Prix Prague. In addition, she knows the Prague tracks well, this spring she finished second in the Prague Half Marathon.
There is also a very even field among European runners. In general, the organizers only reveal the start list shortly before the race. Czech fans are hoping that their home hopes will compete with them. One of them is Jakub Zemaník, whose personal best is 29:30. This year he has already run 29:39, so he is a promising candidate to break the Czech race record of 29:26. Jiří Homoláč (29:37) wants to compete with him, and this year he already won the 1/2 marathon and the marathon in Prague. With a personal best of 33:07, Eva Vrabcová Nývltová has the hottest iron among the women, which Tereza Hrochová (34:37) wants to breathe on her back.
“The Birell 10 Kilometer Run has a very fast course, so it is very popular with elite endurance runners. But it’s not just about them. This race brings together runners of all performance levels and offers everyone something unique to experience,” says Carlo Capalbo. From 6:00 p.m., the Birell Grand Prix Prague adidas Women’s 5-kilometer Run is on the program. The last few hundred registrations are available for both races, which are returning after a three-year hiatus caused by restrictions in the fight against covid (more at www.runczech.com).