Nearly 70,000 participants took part in RunCzech events this year an increase of more than 10% over 2013. Then the year was capped with two new IAAF Gold Labels for the Mattoni Olomouc and Mattoni Usti nad Labem Half Marathons and a Silver Label for the newest race in the series, the Mattoni Karlovy Vary Half Marathon, moving the Czech Republic to the very top of the list of countries with IAAF labels.The IAAF Road Race Label system is based on criteria which when applied to events guarantee a level of quality to all. Label requirements include doping control, gender equal prize money, course certification and safety regulations amongst others. Events are awarded with Bronze, Silver, or Gold (the highest) labels.

RunCzech will now hold a total of 7 labels – 5 Golds and 2 Silvers. Carlo Capalbo, the President of the organizing committee commented: “The IAAF label system makes it possible to evaluate the quality and compare the level of race organizations worldwide. Years ago when we had just introduced RunCzech races in the regions, no one would have believed that one day cities like Olomouc and Ústí nad Labem would be evaluated by the IAAF at the same level as New York, Berlin or Tokyo. The fact that we did it is a huge appreciation not only of our team but also of the whole country. Running in the Czech Republic is becoming a worldwide recognized brand. Therefore we are able to invite to our events the top elite athletes in the world, as well as thousands of international runners who come to run and discover our beautiful country."

Several of the fastest marathoners of all time competed in RunCzech Running League events this year. Geoffrey Ronoh was brought to Olomouc by his training partner, the marathon World Record Holder Wilson Kipsang, to serve as a pacemaker. Also competing in the event as a part of his preparation for a fall marathon in Berlin was Dennis Kimetto. The surprising results saw Ronoh the winner in 1:00:17, a new event record, with Kipsang second and Kimetto third. Geoffrey Ronoh had announced his credentials to the world and a few weeks later in Prague he confirmed them with his defeat of Geoffrey Mutai, then the fastest marathoner of all time, in the Birell 10 km Race with yet another race record.

Top women also made indelible impressions in the Czech Republic in 2014. The most decorated was undoubtedly Edna Kiplagat, the two-time world champion marathoner set an event record in Olomouc with a fine 1:08:53. Also running well in Prague was Firehiwot Dado, the former New York City Marathon champion who won her specialty in Prague in 2:23:34 after earlier in the year finishing 9th in the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon. That half marathon was won by Joyce Chepkirui in a very strong race record time of 1:06:19, the 5th fastest half marathon of all time and the second fastest in 2014.

In addition to those already mentioned event records were also set by Christelle Daunay of France, 2014 European Marathon Champion, and the Ethiopian Teshome Mekonen at the Mattoni Karlovy Vary Half Marathon of 1:09:17 and 1:01:21 respectively. Later in the year Correti Jepkoech set a record at the Birell Prague Grand Prix (10 km Race) with a 31:05, the 5th fastest time in the world in 2014.

With all seven of the RunCzech races having attained international recognition amongst the highest echelons in the running calendar, and with growing public and partner support, 2015 should prove to be another year of growth with more than a few pleasant surprises. Who knows, maybe one more racing season will turn the whole RunCzech Running League to gold.

All information can be found at www.runczech.com

RunCzech Running League 2015:

• Sportsimo Prague Half Marathon – 28 March 2015
• Volkswagen Prague Marathon – 3 May 2015
• Mattoni Karlovy Vary Half Marathon – 23 May 2015
• Mattoni České Budějovice Half Marathon – 6 June 2015
• Mattoni Olomouc Half Marathon – 20 June 2015
• Birell Prague Grand Prix – 5 September 2015
• Mattoni Ústí nad Labem Half Marathon – 12 September 2015