Exciting race and finish. The Moroccan Amghar ran the fastest course of the Birell Grand Prix Prague
One of the most prestigious athletic events in the Czech Republic knows its winners. Hicham Amghar from Morocco became the king of the Birell Run at 10 km with a time of 27:24, who beat the Ethiopian Tadese Worka Gebresilas by a second in a thrilling finish, the performance of 30:16 by Kenyan Irine Chepet Cheptai triumphed among the women. Patrik Vebr (30:00) became the best Czech at the jubilee 25th Birell Run for 10 km, a race proud of the World Athletics Label Road Race award, while Tereza Hrochová (33:42) was the first Czech to finish. “We managed to bring over fifty elite athletes, which was reflected in the results. Among the top ten men, five personal records and one national record were set. Even six personal records were set in the top ten for women. But it wasn’t just about the performances, I think that all the beginners enjoyed the race in the magical atmosphere of evening Prague.” said Carlo Capalbo, chairman of the RunCzech organizing committee.
Birell Grand Prix Prague returned to the center of the metropolis after a three-year hiatus caused by restrictions in the fight against covid. And running fans couldn’t have asked for a better comeback. The starting list of the Birell 10 kilometer Run was full of big names. One of the biggest favorites to win was the world record holder on this track, Rhonex Kipruto, a former member of the home team RunCzech Racing, who, however, took eighth place, contrary to expectations.
Hicham Amghar from Morocco did the best with the ten-kilometer course, which started for everyone at Náměstí Republiky. “I am very happy because I did not expect this result at all. In addition, I spent the night at the airport due to a bad connection, so I came to Prague just to run around and had no great expectations. But it was a fantastic race, great weather and most of all incredible fans. I’m excited, it was beautiful and I definitely want to come back to Prague,” the twenty-eight-year-old competitor rejoiced. In 2018, he ran a personal best in Prague, and now he has surpassed it at the same place. “I am here for the third time and this is definitely the best participation. He will definitely come next year. This race is amazing, one of the fastest in the world, and I’m fine with that.” added the champion. Ethiopian Tadese Worku Gebresilas sprinted just one second behind him (27:25), and Kenyan Patrick Kabirech Mosin (27:27) also fought his way to the podium.
They lost 2 minutes and 36 seconds to the winner of the Czech competitor Patrik Vebr. His victory was not expected. “We wanted to aim for a time of around thirty minutes. There was such a group and it worked out best for me. Night Prague is absolutely great, the fans along the track were fantastic. I love the race. I ran that race for the second time and I set a personal best there for the second time.” cheered Vebr. Tereza Hrochová became the fastest Czech woman. “The atmosphere was amazing, the spectators pushed us forward, it was a wonderful race,” the Czech winner was beaming.
The triumph among women was won by the biggest favorite Irine Chepet Cheptai. She completed the course in 30:16. “The weather was great for the race, it was a huge difference to the terrible weather at the spring half marathon in April. I had a great run and the fans were great too. Just a beautiful race, I definitely want to come back to Prague,” declared the thirty-year-old Kenyan woman. Second place went to Jesca Chelangat (30:23), Faith Cherono finished third (30:56).
Almost 5,500 runners lined up for the start of the 10 km Birell Run, whose charity partner was the non-profit organization Cesta za snem. Among them, for example, is the mayor of Prague, Zdeněk Hřib. From 6:00 p.m., the Birell Grand Prix Prague adidas Women’s 5-kilometer Run was on the program, which was connected with the non-profit organization Loono and which was used for two thousand female competitors. “This race in the magical environment of early evening Prague was once again full of incredible energy. I believe that all the ladies got a great experience out of it.” Capalbo added. In total, almost 7,500 runners lined up for the start of both races.