The 5th edition of the EuroHeroes project started with the Mattoni Half Marathon Karlovy Vary, where Czech star Damián Vích and Hungary’s Nóra Szabó started the series on the podium. The event, part of the Mattoni Running Festival Karlovy Vary, is organized in cooperation with European Athletics and holds the prestigious World Athletics Road Race Label. The elite field counted 24 runners from 10 European countries.
Set in the historic spa town of Karlovy Vary, the race featured unpredictable spring weather adding to the day’s intensity. In total, the event attracted 7,000 participants, including 3,480 half marathon runners and 1,000 runners in the 10 km, and 2,450 non-competitive runners in the dm bambini run and dm family mile.
A Star Moment for Vích
Damián Vích, representing the RunCzech Racing Team, ran the a completely unexpected race. After running with the lead group for much of the first half, he broke away at the 17 km mark to finish with a time of 1:04:23 taking almost 2 minutes of his personal best (previously 1:06:10 from Ústí nad Labem 2023). His performance set a new Czech race record for Karlovy Vary (surpassing the previous 1:06:51 from 2016).Vích, a specialist in shorter distances and primarily a steeplechase runner, delivered a great performance.
“I felt great during the run, but I had a stomach ache, so I was thinking about that instead of thinking about the race. I really wanted to win — especially when I saw the Czech fans, I pushed as hard as I could over the last three kilometers.”
The Czech crowd was celebrating Vích’s finish as he now sits at the top of the EuroHeroes men’s ranking after this first leg of the series.
Szabó’s Domination in the Women’s Field
In the women’s race, Nóra Szabó of Hungary took control early and never looked back. She reached the 5 km mark in 16:42 and gradually extended her lead throughout the race, ultimately winning in 1:11:00, 47 seconds before Soler.
“I was alone almost all the time. For the first four kilometres I had the company of one man, and then he slowed down — I killed him with my pace,” Szabó said with a smile. “I tried to keep the pace and I was surprised I did it until the 11th kilometre. Then we turned and had the wind at our backs. I was suffering a bit in the last four kilometres, but I’m really happy.”
Behind her, Meritxell Soler of Spain overcame a fall at 1.6 km to finish second in 1:11:47, while Viktoriia Kaliuzhna of Ukraine claimed third in 1:13:05.
“It was a really nice race. There were a lot of people cheering around the course, which is always nice,” said Soler. “My husband was my pacer, and since he’s tall, he helped block the wind.”
Szabó, who placed third overall in the 2024 EuroHeroes standings, has now firmly established herself as a top contender for the 2025 crown.
Men’s Podium Reactions
Second-place finisher Paavo De Leng of the Netherlands, who clocked 1:05:20, also praised the experience:
“It was a really nice race, I really enjoyed it. There are beautiful buildings in Karlovy Vary — the city is stunning with its nature and architecture. ‘Karlovy Vary jsou krásné,’” he said, showing off his Czech. “I went with Damián and tried to keep up, but at the 16th kilometre he was just too strong.”
Looking Ahead
Next up: the scenic city of České Budějovice in South Bohemia, where the Mattoni Half Marathon České Budějovice will welcome Europe’s rising stars. Nóra Szabó—fresh off her dominant win in Karlovy Vary—has already confirmed her participation, setting the stage for another electrifying showdown in the race for the EuroHeroes crown.
The race was streamed live, with English commentary by former elite runner James Thie, bringing the emotion and energy of Karlovy Vary to audiences around the world. Once again, the EuroHeroes series fulfills its mission: to celebrate and elevate European distance running talent.
Full Results Overview
Men’s Results
- Damián Vích (CZE, RunCzech Racing Team) – 1:04:23 – Czech race record & PB
- Paavo De Leng (NED) – 1:05:20
- Lahsene Bouchikhi (BEL) – 1:05:36
- Mykola Mevsha (UKR) – 1:05:47
- Paulos Surafel (GBR) – 1:06:20
Women’s Results
- Nóra Szabó (HUN) – 1:11:00
- Meritxell Soler (ESP) – 1:11:47
- Viktoriia Kaliuzhna (UKR) – 1:13:05
- Jacelyn Gruppen (NED) – 1:13:58
Isabela Paskiewicz (POL) – 1:14:28
Top Czech Men
- Damián Vích – 1:04:23
- Jiří Homoláč – 1:08:18
- Tomáš Kožák – 1:09:43
Top Czech Women
- Tereza Jagošová – 1:22:09
- Dana Truksová – 1:22:52
- Barbora Vahalíková – 1:23:04
Damián Vích won the Mattoni Half Marathon Karlovy Vary 2025.
Mattoni Half Marathon Karlovy Vary 2025
Nóra Szabó the winner of Mattoni Half Marathon Karlovy Vary 2025.
